Stainless Steel: The Caterer's Companion
Almost everything around you involves stainless steel in some way. Many objects are made from the material and many more contain it. Even those things which do not are likely to have been produced in a factory using machinery which incorporates stainless steel. Going further, any object that does not meet these criteria would have been transported from its place of origin in some kind of vehicle that makes use of stainless steel. In fact, the very fuel that powered those vehicles relies on stainless steel materials in its extraction, refining and storage. The stuff is quite literally everywhere!
One sector in which stainless steel is extremely visible is in the food and beverage industry. It is so popular in this sector for a variety of reasons, some of which we will be exploring in this edition of the BS Stainless blog.
Perhaps the most crucial factor in the choice to use stainless steel in the catering industry is the inherently-high level of hygiene it provides. To start with, its surface is extremely smooth, helping to prevent the potential for the growth of bacteria. It is also very easy to keep clean. As well as being used to create surfaces in direct contact with food, stainless steel is also perfect for components within kitchens such as fixtures, door handles and elements of machinery that are operated by hand.
Stainless steel is renowned for its ability to withstand extremes of temperature without its performance being affected. This makes it ideal for use in grills, ovens and stove tops, as well as for fridges and freezers. The alloy is also good at conducting heat, which explains why so many pans are made from stainless steel.
The famed corrosion resistance of stainless steel also makes it especially useful to the catering industry. Kitchens and other food production areas often have high humidity, which can cause lesser metals to corrode quickly. Many foods also have high levels of acidity which can attack other metals.
When it comes to limitations, stainless steel has very few. One limitation that it does have is that, like any other metal, it is not suitable for use in a microwave. This is because, instead of absorbing microwaves, metals reflect them, which can result in fires. The potential for fires is even greater if the metal has any points or sharp edges.
Stainless steel of grades 304 and 316 are said to be of 'food grade'. Grade 304 is the most common type and is often used for appliances, storage equipment and more. Grade 316 has molybdenum added to it, increasing is resistance to corrosion and making it especially suitable for areas that are regularly exposed to salts, acids or strong cleaning chemicals.
Stainless steel slit coil is widely used to create many different components in the catering industry, as well as stainless steel wire. BS Stainless offers a comprehensive product catalogue and can provide stainless steel of premium quality to this demanding industry. Please browse our website for more details or get in touch with our expert technical team.