As they are naturally resistant to corrosion, stainless steel is utilized extensively in the food business. Complex forms can be created using it. Without degradation, stainless steel may be sterilized and cleaned. The food sector finds it to be excellent because it also imparts no color or flavor to meals.
Because it has been proven to have the best corrosion resistance in a variety of food and beverage media, most stainless steel used in food applications has chromium in the range of 16 to 18%. In the production of hollow-ware, cutlery, and culinary utensils, austenitic grades are employed. Brewing vessels and milk tankers are examples of other applications. Corrosive food and beverage goods are transported in high alloy austenitic grades that are used for storage. Molybdenum-containing grades resist food that contains salt in particular. Due to its extensive use in the food business, 316L/1.4404 is known as “food grade.” Similarly, 304L/1.4307 is a highly well-liked grade for usage in applications in the food business.
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Carbon content is high in martensitic grades. Heat treatment can make this kind of stainless steel harder. Applications requiring a high level of wear resistance use this grade. A common grade used in the production of knife blades is 420/1.4021. The grade 1.4116 can be used for exceptional quality knives that keep their edge even after extensive use.
For handling caustic foods, duplex grades are chosen because they provide excellent resistance to corrosion brought on by saline solutions at high temperatures. In comparison to austenitic grades, duplex grades have better resistance to stress corrosion cracking, crevice corrosion, and pitting. Applications include factories that produce custard, vinegar, sauces, cheese, and fish canning.
Stainless Steel Grades in Food Processing Industry
Grade 304/304L
The most common grade of stainless steel used in modern restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food service settings is 304/304L (also known as 18/8 or 18/10), which strikes a good compromise between price and performance. The higher nickel concentration gives it a high sheen, which is appealing to consumers and eaters. The culinary workers as well as business owners will value its affordability and durability. Sinks, stoves, freezers, containers, pipework, and other “contact” equipment are frequently made from 304/304L stainless steel as well as hollowware (pitchers, urns, gravy boats, etc.
Grade 430
The durability and ease of cleaning of stainless are essential, thus this type of stainless is generally used for goods where a mirror finish or high reflectivity is not necessary. Baffle filters, splash backs, housings, paneling, tabletops, culinary utensils, and inexpensive sinks are typical 430 stainless steel products.
Grade 316/316L
This steel grade offers outstanding durability and resistance to corrosion. But because of its higher price, it is frequently only applied in unique situations involving extremely saline or acidic foods and fluids.
Benefits of Using Stainless Steel
Corrosion resistance:
Compared to other metals, stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion and rusting, which makes it ideal for use in the kitchen. It can be expensive to install kitchen equipment, which is frequently made of food-grade stainless steel. However, as most stainless steel grades exhibit significant levels of corrosion resistance, less frequently replacing the equipment is required.
Strength:
Because food-grade stainless steel is so sturdy, it is a great material to utilize for heavy machinery or storage area shelves.
Ease of cleaning:
Other materials, like wood or plastic, have groves or gaps that bacteria can get into and flourish in. Because it is smooth and doesn’t provide bacteria a place to hide, stainless steel is simple to clean. Always use a stainless steel cleaner made for use with food when cleaning stainless steel.
Non-reactive surface:
Because stainless steel is a non-reactive metal, you may use it to cook acidic foods like citrus, tomatoes, and vinegar. Reactive metals include iron and aluminum. Cooking acidic foods in these metals can corrode the surface of the metal and change the taste of the food, usually adding a metallic flavor.
Cost:
Stainless steel has a cheap maintenance cost when treated and maintained properly. Because of its machinability and other qualities, stainless steel is a fantastic choice for the food processing industry as well as many other ones.
Conclusion:
The stainless steel used for food processing applications is a vital component for running successful operations. It can be used to safely and quickly process food, helping to ensure that companies can get their products out on time and in perfect condition. Not only does it provide great strength and durability, but it is also cost-effective, making it an excellent selection for commercial production. Additionally, the use of stainless steel helps to maintain hygiene standards in the industrial processing plants by providing an easily cleanable metal surface. Without stainless steel in the food processing industry, many of our favorite foods wouldn’t be available as quickly or efficiently as they are today. So the next time you tuck into your favorite snack, be sure to take a moment to appreciate the use of stainless steel throughout its production!
