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What Is 18/10 Stainless Steel?

Learn more about why this is the superior choice for Stainless Clad Cookware.

By Team Made In
Jul 14, 2022
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When it comes to high performance cookware and flatware, Stainless Steel is a popular choice due to its durability. But all Stainless Steel is not created equally. In fact, there are a variety of different types of Stainless Steel that aren’t high-quality, so knowing the difference is a must when buying pots and pans.

If you are looking for high quality Stainless Steel for cookware or flatware, 18/10 stainless steel is the way to go. Learning more about this popular alloy and why it is the superior choice for cookware will enable you to make smart choices when selecting the best products for your kitchen.

What Is 18/10 Stainless Steel?

Made from a combination of alloys, Stainless Steel cookware has a number included in the title that indicates the percentage of chromium and nickel alloys that are added to help reduce rust and enhance shine and durability. In this case, 18/10 indicates 18% Chromium, 10% Nickel.

The higher percentage of chromium and nickel indicates a better quality Stainless Steel Cookware product. Here are some different types of Stainless Steel grades and the percentage of additional alloys that are used to create them.

Stainless Steel Grades Indicate Quality of Cooking Products

18/10 Stainless Steel contains 18% Chromium and 10% Nickel. This is rust-proof and holds polish well.

18/8 Stainless Steel contains 18% Chromium and 8% Nickel and is highly rust-resistant.

18/0 Stainless Steel contains 18% Chromium and less than 1% Nickel, and is known for having reduced corrosion resistance.

Since 18/10 Stainless Steel contains the highest amount of nickel, it offers the highest resistance to rust and longest held polish. On the other hand, corrosion and damage to your pots and pans is more likely to occur with 18/0 Stainless Steel due to the extremely limited amount of nickel, indicating that it is less resistant to oxidation or rust.

Why Is 18/10 Stainless Steel Used for Cookware?

The high quality 18/10 Stainless Steel is a popular choice for cookware due to the way it handles and dispenses heat. Stainless Steel alone is a poor heat conductor, meaning that it would not perform well when cooking. This is why Stainless Steel requires different cladding in order for optimal cooking performance, which is why the combination of the additional alloys is needed.

Quality Stainless Steel contains four metal components which all do their part to create high quality pots and pans, like Made In Stainless Clad Cookware.

4 Main Components of High Quality Stainless Steel

The main components of high-quality Stainless Steel Cookware are iron, carbon, chromium, and nickel.

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon and since iron is so soft, around 0.1% carbon is added to make it hard. Chromium and nickel are added to the combination to enhance the metal’s chemical durability. Made In Stainless Clad Cookware contains 10 % nickel and 18% chromium, which are the main two components that are used to make quality Stainless Steel Cookware.

The main reason the 18/10 Stainless Steel makes such wonderful cookware is that when the chromium bonds with oxygen, it creates a protective layer that prevents rust. This is also what gives your favorite Made In Stainless Clad Cookware its silver color.

Why 18/10 Stainless Steel is Used for Quality Stainless Steel Cookware

Here are some other reasons why 18/10 Stainless Steel is perfect for high-quality cookware and flatware.

  • It can be easily molded into pots, pans, and flatware due to the softness of the alloy.
  • Hot and cold liquids as well as acidic foods can be contained long term without corrosion.
  • It is chemically stable which means that it can stand up to extreme temperature changes.

In addition, Made In Stainless Clad Cookware that is manufactured with this carbon and steel combination conducts heat three times faster than inferior quality Stainless Steel products, making this cookware a popular choice with those who enjoy cooking.

Is 18/10 Stainless Steel Safe to Use for Food?

Choosing high quality Stainless Steel cookware like pots and pans from Made In ensures safety. Our Made In Stainless Clad Cookware is of the highest quality and is made just right so that chromium binds to the stainless steel surface and protects it from acid-causing rust while the nickel prevents corrosion.

The strong bond of these alloys means no leaching, making it very safe to cook with. Inferior Stainless Steel cookware that is made with weaker alloys lets nickel leach into food, making it unsafe for consumption. Proper maintenance and use of your high quality Made In Stainless Steel Cookware will help to maintain the integrity and ensure the safety of food preparation for years to come.
When choosing cookware, be sure to consider high quality Stainless Steel cookware that is induction compatible like the 18/10 Stainless Clad products from Made In. From frying pans and rondeaus to stock pots and saucepans, Made In Stainless Clad Cookware is the superior quality Stainless Steel cookware you are looking for.

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