Many times the question; “is 18/10 stainless steel safe?” is been asked and people get to know what stainless steel cookware contains. With all this in view, how do we know the right cookware that is good for our health?
There are many materials used in manufacturing the cookware we use in our kitchen, it is possible that some of this cookware can be harmful to the body as it can leach harmful content into our food. It is said that Aluminum and copper cookware can cause health problems.
Stainless steel has a very little reaction with the food, therefore food can be heated in 18/10 stainless steel and there will be no leachable content in the food. However stainless contains 18% chrome and 10% nickel which help the cookware to be rust-resistant.
The 18/10 stainless steel is one of the safest cookware to use for your food as its make-up material will maintain the integrity of the food.
WHAT IS STAINLESS STEEL?
Stainless steel is an iron alloy that has iron as the principal component. Furthermore, there are other elements that can be added to stainless steel, they include; silicon, nickel, chromium, carbon, nitrogen, manganese, titanium, and iron.
The most durable stainless steel is the one that contains about 50% of iron and Chromium between 10% to 30%. As we all know, Iron has the tendency to rust in the presence of water or oil moisture unless there is a protective coating over it.
To prevent the iron from corrosion, there are elements of alloy present that help prevent oxidation and corrosion like Chromium and Nickel.
One of the best ways to determine the best quality of stainless steel is to check the ratio of Chromium and Nickel in the stainless steel.
Whenever we talk about stainless steel, we talk about grade classification. It is the grade classification that determines the type of stainless steel.
WHAT IS 18/10 STAINLESS STEEL?
Manufacturers use a number of words when it comes to describing the quality of stainless steel that goes into kitchen equipment.
We have various standards when it comes to the quality of stainless steel based on their number value. For example, we have 18/8 stainless steel and 18/0 stainless steel. 18/8 stainless steel, 13/0 stainless steel, etc.
Whenever you see the 18/10 stainless steel, it means the percentage of Chromium in the stainless steel is 18 while the percentage of Nickel in the stainless steel is 10.
There are many 18/10 stainless sheets of steel, there are codes used in identifying these stainless Steel curled from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
There are various badges included in the 18/10 stainless steel chart, they might include; 302, 302B, 303, 303se, 304, 304L, and 304Cu. etc.
Apart from the Chromium and Nickel elements in the 18/10 stainless steel, there are other elements that make up the 18/10 stainless steel, there are Copper, Molybdenum, and Selenium.
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IS 18/10 STAINLESS STEEL SAFE?
Yes, 18/10 stainless steel is safe for daily use like cooking because it has the ability to withstand harsh chemicals, corrosion, and acidic environments based on the percentage of chromium and nickel that it carries.
To answer the question further, we have to also understand the chemical composition of the 18/10 stainless steel.
The 18/10 stainless steel grade composition means that it contains 16% of Chromium, 10% of Nickel, and 2% Molybdenum. The presence of Molybdenum, Nickel, and Chromium makes the 18/10 stainless steel resistant to corrosion and prevents oxidation making the 18/10 stainless steel safe.
Although chromium oxide is soluble in acid, we have various chromium oxide, the variant of chromium oxide in the 18/10 stainless steel has one valence making the 18/10 stainless steel safe for use.
Lastly, the quantity of Chromium, Nickel, and Molybdenum elements in the 18/10 stainless steel determines the quality of the stainless steel. It is the percentage of the quantity of these elements that determine the rate of safety and prevention of corrosion and oxidation.
Therefore, in terms of corrosion prevention, the 18/10 is better than the 18/8 and the 18/0 grade of stainless steel.
Below are some recommended safe 18/10 stainless steel cookware.
DOES 18/10 STAINLESS STEEL CONTAIN NICKEL?
Yes, the 18/10 food-grade stainless steel does contain 10% of nickel and 18% of chromium.
WHAT DOES 18/10 MEAN IN FLATWARE
It actually means the same thing as in cookware. 18/10 stainless steel flatware means it is composed of 18% chromium and 10% nickel. The higher the nickel content, the more corrosion resistance the flatware has.
IS 18/10 STAINLESS STEEL GOOD FOR COOKING?
Yes, stainless steel is good for cooking because it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals that can leach harmful substances into your food unlike other cookware materials this is one of the reasons stainless steel is used in the Fast-moving consumer goods industry (FMCG).
IS 18/10 STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE GOOD?
Yes, the 18/10 stainless steel cookware is good as it is food-grade classification cookware, suitable for cooking on various stovetops, resists oxidation, and corrosion, and is durable.
AVACRAFT 18/10 STAINLESS STEEL PREMIUM MULTI-CLAD POTS AND PANS SET
The Avacraft brand of 18/10 stainless steel cookware set has the following features;
- The Avacraft 18/10 stainless steel cookware set is highly resistant to rust, crack, or corrosion.
- They are also toxins-free and designed for daily use!
- Doesn’t have a heat spot, performs even heat distribution
- Perfect for induction, gas, electric, and halogen cooktops.
- The Ergonomic handles stay cool during hot.
- They are easy to clean and also durable.
- We recommend the AVACRAFT 18/10 stainless steel cookware as the best 18/10 stainless steel cookware for every home!
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BERGHOFF ESSENTIALS COMFORT 7 PIECE, 18/10 STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE SET
The Berghoff essentials 18/10 stainless steel cookware has the following features;
1) The Berghoff 18/10 stainless steel has a 3-layer base that ensures even heat transfer and enables energy-efficient cooking.
2)The Berghoff 18/10 stainless steel cookware is designed with a lid that ensures easy, drop-free pouring.
3)It can withstand daily use, easy to clean up. Suitable for induction, electric, gas, and halogen stovetops.
4) Dishwasher safe and hand wash recommended.
HOMI CHEF NON-TOXIC AND NON-STICK COATING NICKEL-FREE STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE SET
This is an example of a free nickel stainless steel cookware that is 18/0 stainless steel and not 18/0 stainless steel cookware.
Let’s see the features of the Homi Chef 18/0 stainless steel cookware below;
1) The Homi Chef 18/0 stainless steel cookware can be used for everyday cooking from simmering to frying to searing and braising.
2) This particular Homi Chef cookware set is healthy, rust-free, and corrosion-free because of the Nickel-free stainless steel. No nickel leaching harms, no allergy, no priority toxins.
3) This particular Homi Chef 18/0 stainless steel cookware set has no coating that causes cancer or disrupts the immune system.
4) It is designed with 3-ply construction that allows for even great distribution and conductivity, thereby eliminating hot spots.
5) No PFOA and PTFE.
6) The riveted handles stay cool on the stovetops while the flat rim ensures drip-free pouring.
7) Suitable for gas, induction, ceramic, and halogen stovetops. Oven and Dishwasher safe!
KITCHARA 18/10 STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE SET
The Kitchara 18/10 stainless steel cookware set has the following features;
1) The Kitchara cookware set is durable, designed with 5 ply and fully clad, with an aluminum core surrounded by 18/10 stainless steel.
- Suitable for all cooktops including induction. It is also oven safe 500℉ / 232℃.
- This cookware set offers family-size pots and pans for every task.
- Kitchara 18/10 stainless steel cookware set is built to provide excellent heat retention and heating.
- Easy transition from stove to the oven (up to 500 degrees).
- Dishwasher safe but handwash for best result.
CIWETE PROFESSIONAL 18/10 STAINLESS STEEL INDUCTION COOKWARE SET
The Ciwete Professional 18/10 stainless steel is designed with a heavy bottom with impacted bonded technology which consists of 2 layers of durable stainless steel and 1 layer of the pure aluminum disc.
The encapsulated aluminum core of the Ciwete Professional 18/10 stainless steel distributes heat throughout the pan for quick heating.
The tempered glass lids help to monitor the cooking progress. Magnetic stainless steel bottom is compatible with all stovetops including induction, electric, gas, ceramic, glass, and halogen.
Finally, the brushed finished exterior is anti-scratch and easy to clean, which is suit for the dishwasher for convenient cleanup. NOT oven safe. Limited lifetime warranty.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SS304 (18/8 STAINLESS STEEL) AND SS316 (18/10 STAINLESS STEEL).
People are always eager to know the difference between 18/10 stainless steel versus UNS or SS304 and also the difference between 18/10 stainless steel versus UNS or SS316.
UNS means (Universal numbering system). UNS304 or ALLOY 304 is also called 18/8 Grade of stainless steel classification.
While UNS316 or ALLOY 316 is synonymous with or also called 18/10 Grade of stainless steel classification.
The Stainless steel grade of SS304 (18/8 stainless steel) contains 18% Chromium and 8% Nickel while the Stainless steel grade of SS316 (18/10 stainless steel) contains 16% of Chromium, 10% Nickel, and 2% Molybdenum.
The 2% Molybdenum and 10% Nickel in the SS316 (18/10 stainless steel) make it better corrosion and chemical resistance.
With regards to the formability (the ability of metals to be formed into the desired shape without cracking) of metals, the SS304 (18/8 stainless steel) is better than the SS316 (18/10 stainless steel).
Seawater and salt can be damaging to metals, chloride can eat away metals such as the layer of the SS304 (18/8 stainless steel) resulting in rust. SS304 (18/8 stainless steel) is recommended for use in less corrosive environments such as indoor kitchen appliances, electrical equipment, wheel covers, storage tanks, and pressure vessels. Etc.
The SS316 (18/10 stainless steel) has the ability to resist acids, salts, and chlorides. Therefore, they are more suitable for seawater and marine applications. The greater resistance to oxidation makes the SS316 (18/10 stainless steel) to be used for refinery equipment, outdoor electrical equipment, and surgical equipment. Etc.
In terms of usage, the SS316 (18/10 stainless steel) is more durable than the SS304 (18/8 stainless steel) because of the element make-up.
We recommend you make use of the SS316; 18/10 stainless steel cookware more than the SS304; 18/8 stainless steel as much of the cooking equipment is exposed to water.
In terms of price, the SS316 (18/10 stainless steel) is more expensive than the SS304 (18/8 stainless steel). The SS304 (18/8) is more affordable than the SS316 (18/10) stainless steel.
IS 18/10 STAINLESS STEEL TOXIC?
No, the 18/10 Stainless steel food grade isn’t toxic because the constituents or properties have only one valency variant of chromium oxide making the 18/10 food-grade stainless steel safe and non-toxic.
IS 304 STAINLESS STEEL LEAD FREE?
Yes, the Alloy 304 (18/8) is lead free as no lead is used in the manufacture of this food-grade stainless steel.
18/10 STAINLESS STEEL GOOD OR BAD?
To know if the 18/10 stainless steel is either good or bad, we have to know the composition of elements in the 18/10 stainless steel.
As I stated above, the 18/10 stainless steel grade classification indicates that the percentage ratio of Chromium to Nickel is 18:10.
Now to whether 18/10 stainless steel is good? Yes, it is good when the stainless steel is used indoors and the element make-up makes it affordable to buy, it is also the most common grade of stainless steel.
18/10 stainless steel is bad because it is not to be used in a water-sensitive environment as it will be corrosive and rust which can prove harmful to humans.
IS 18/0 STAINLESS STEEL SAFE?
As I mentioned above, we have various grade classifications for stainless steel. Apart from the 18/10 and the 18/8, we also have the 18/0 stainless steel grade classification.
The 18/0 stainless steel grade classification means that the percentage of Chromium is 18 while that of Nickel is 0. Based on this element make-up, the 18/0 stainless steel is safe though it is advisable not to use it in an acidic environment as it is more open to corrosion.
Generally, the 18/10 stainless steel grade classification is better than the 18/8, then the 18/8 stainless steel grade classification is better than the 18/0 stainless steel.
IS 18/10 STAINLESS STEEL MAGNETIC?
There is this myth that exists; that all stainless steel is magnetic. Allow me to enlighten you, it is not all stainless steel that is magnetic.
First, we have different types and make-up of stainless steel; we have carbon steel, 316(18/10) and 304(18/8) stainless steel called Austenitic stainless steel, and finally the Ferritic stainless steel.
The 18/10 stainless steel grade is not magnetic as it is under the Austenitic stainless steel grade classification though it is made up of 60 – 70 % iron.
Although there is 18/10 stainless steel cookware that is magnetic, these 18/10 stainless steel cookware are the ones the manufacturer further enhanced the base of the cookware with Tri-ply construction and pure aluminum core for heat distribution and induction-ready cooktop.
However, the carbon steel and Ferritic grade of stainless steel is magnetic!
IS 18/10 STAINLESS STEEL DISHWASHER SAFE?
Yes! The 18/10 stainless steel is dishwasher safe as the chemical composition elements are built to withstand corrosion and oxidation from water exposure. You have nothing to worry about when used in the dishwasher or in a water-sensitive environment.
WHAT IS THE SAFEST STAINLESS STEEL?
The safest stainless steel is the one that is corrosion-resistant, non-toxic, and can withstand oxidation based on prolonged use of the stainless steel in a water or salty environment.
In terms of stainless steel grade, we do recommend the 18/10 stainless steel as the safest stainless steel as it contains chemical compounds that won’t react with water or salt and can last for a long time under pressure.
WHICH IS BETTER 18/10 OR 18/8 STAINLESS STEEL?
As I have highlighted in this article, the 18/10 stainless steel is better than the 18/8 stainless steel because the 18/10 grade of stainless steel can handle/withstand corrosion and prevent oxidation better than the 18/8 grade of stainless steel.
Based on this, the 18/10 stainless steel is more durable than the 18/8 stainless steel. The 18/10 stainless steel can be used both indoors and outdoors while the 18/8 stainless steel is used only indoors to prevent exposure to water or salt.
IS 18/10 STAINLESS STEEL A GOOD QUALITY?
Absolutely yes!! The 18/10 stainless steel is of good quality as its composition of Nickel, Chromium, and Molybdenum can withstand corrosion, rust, and oxidation making them durable and safe for use at all times!
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