How to Choose restaurant-grade flatware?

Decoding Stainless Steel Grades for Your Restaurant Flatware

When it comes to choosing professional flatware for your foodservice establishment, one of the most important factors to figure out is which grade of stainless steel will work best for your restaurant.

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Stainless steel is a popular material used in flatware due to its durability, corrosion resistance, and ease of maintenance. There are various grades of stainless steel used for flatware, each with different properties and characteristics. In this article, we help you decide the right grade stainless steel for your establishment by comparing durability, price, aesthetic appeal, and more.

Decoding Stainless Steel Grades for Your Restaurant Flatware

When considering which grade of stainless steel would work best for your business and budget, it’s important to first note the similarities and differences between the common grades—18/10, 18/8, and 18/0—of commercial flatware used in the restaurant industry. The first number, 18, indicates the level of chromium, which adds toughness and resilience to steel. The second number indicates the levels of nickel.

All three grades of stainless steel are durable, making them suitable for years of continued use within a busy professional environment. Similarly, all three grades are corrosion-resistant, easy to clean, and safe for use in commercial dishwashers (however it is always wise to defer to manufacturer recommendations).

The main difference between the three types of stainless steel is the amount of nickel each grade holds. 18/10 stainless steel has the most nickel, followed by 18/8 stainless steel, and 18/0 stainless steel. The amount of nickel contained within the stainless steel affects many qualities of flatware, bringing about both benefits and drawbacks to each grade, which we will now examine in detail.

18/10 Stainless Steel Flatware

This grade of stainless steel contains 10% nickel.

• Corrosion resistance: 18/10 stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion and staining, making it suitable for use everywhere, including very humid environments or with acidic foods.
• Durability: This grade of stainless steel is durable and resistant to wear and tear, making it suitable for everyday professional use in high-volume establishments.
• Aesthetic appeal: The high nickel content gives the steel a bright, shiny finish that looks great on flatware. It is the most common grade of stainless steel used in fine-dining restaurants, in part for its high luster.
• Price: 18/10 stainless steel is the most expensive grade, which may make it less accessible for some buyers. However, it is an investment in quality and longevity.
• Weight: The high nickel content makes this steel heavier than other grades, which may be a drawback for some users. Some diners have noted that the heavier steel gives their utensils a bulky feeling. If weight is a potential factor for your guests, they may prefer a sleek and slender 18/10 flatware design.

18/8 Stainless Steel Flatware

This stainless steel contains 8% nickel. It is also known as 304 stainless steel.

• Corrosion resistance: 18/8 stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion and staining, making it suitable for use in humid environments or with acidic foods.
• Durability: This grade of stainless steel is durable and resistant to wear and tear, making it suitable for everyday commercial use. It is also slightly less durable and less rust-resistant than 18/10, however the difference is small enough that most people simply would not notice. 18/8 grade is still very durable and can withstand years of use.
• Aesthetic appeal: This grade has shine and luster to its appearance. However, the lower nickel content means that 18/8 stainless steel is not as shiny as 18/10 flatware pieces.
• Price: 18/8 stainless steel is more affordable than 18/10 stainless steel, which may make it a better option for some buyers who are looking for quality without breaking the bank.
• Weight: The high nickel content makes this steel heavier than 18/0, which may be a drawback for some users. It is slightly lighter than 18/10 flatware.

18/0 Stainless Steel Flatware

This grade of stainless steel contains no nickel. It is also known as 430 stainless steel.

• Corrosion resistance: The chromium content of 18/0 stainless steel affords it some corrosion resistance, however, to a noticeable lesser degree than 18/10 and 18/8. Out of the three grades, it is most likely to react to acidic foods and will have a shorter lifespan in humid environments.
• Durability: 18/0 stainless steel is less durable than 18/10 and 18/8 and may show signs of wear and tear after repeated use in a commercial dishwasher. However, these flatware pieces still last for years and are suitable for commercial use.
• Aesthetic appeal: Due to its lack of nickel, this grade of stainless steel isn’t especially shiny. This aesthetic works best for casual dining, rustic, farm-to-table, and industrial design motifs.
• Price: 18/0 stainless steel is the most economical option of the three grades, making it accessible to most buyers.
• Weight: The absence of nickel makes 18/0 stainless steel utensils a light-weight option.

Which Grade of Stainless Steel Is Best for Your Restaurant?

The best grade of stainless steel flatware for a restaurant will depend on the specific needs of the establishment. For example, a fine dining restaurant that wants to provide its guests with the highest quality flatware will likely choose 18/10 stainless steel. A mid-range or casual restaurant that is looking for a more affordable option may choose 18/8 stainless steel. And a restaurant with a high turnover of flatware may opt for 18/0 stainless steel because it is less expensive to replace. What grade of stainless steel does your restaurant prefer and why? Let us know in the comment section!

Choose the Right Flatware for Your Restaurant

When the food arrives at your dinner table, the first thing you pick up is the flatware. Almost immediately, diners make a judgment about your establishment simply by the shine and weight of the fork and knife. Choosing the right flatware to present to your customers is just as important as choosing the items for your menu.

Almost everyone in the foodservice industry uses stainless steel flatware. Food grade stainless steel is extremely strong, durable and corrosion resistant. But even then, there are different grades of stainless steel flatware and understanding their differences will help you make an informed purchase for your restaurant.

Food grade stainless steel is made primarily of chromium and nickel. Different amounts of either element will affect the quality of the flatware. For example, chromium will make the steel softer, but has an excellent resistance to rust and tarnish. A higher percentage of nickel makes the steel stronger while also adding luster and shine.

Many restaurants will choose flatware with designs and etchings. While they may look beautiful, another purpose is to hide wear and tear from heavy use and frequent washings. Most flatware is dishwasher safe. Remember to dry it immediately after washing to keep it shiny and spotless. Avoid contact with bleach, however as bleach may cause the steel to corrode or stain.

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When shopping for your restaurant’s flatware, you will encounter a label stating the ratio of chromium to nickel. It’s important to understand what they mean in order to make the right choices.

18/10 indicates 18% chrome to 10% nickel ratio. This grade of stainless steel flatware is the highest quality and the most expensive on the market. They are considerably heavy and you will often find them in upscale restaurants and hotels.

18/8 indicates a 18% chrome to 8% nickel ratio. This is the most common grade of flatware found in restaurants. It’s quite durable and resistant to rust and corrosion. Many fast casual outlets, catering companies and cafeterias use this grade of stainless steel flatware.

18/0 indicates 18% chrome to 0% nickel ratio. This is the most affordable of the three options but is the least resistant to corrosion. Be aware also, that since this grade is metallic, the flatware might get caught in the magnets of conveyor dishwashers. None-the-less, this is still a good choice for businesses on a budget, perhaps opting to upgrade later on.

You might also consider whether to purchase flatware that is forged or stamped. Forged refers to large pieces of stainless steel which are heated and formed into flatware shapes. Stamped flatware is cut from a piece of stainless steel. Because of the heating process, forged flatware is much stronger than stamped. Contact Restaurant Design Concepts for a free onsite consultation.

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