Cool Tip: Stainless Steel... Demystified...

What DO those numbers mean?

We talk about Stainless Steel ratings ...usually 18/8 or 18/10 in cookware or flatware. But what do these numbers mean? And which rating is “better”? Discuss!

OK ...let’s get down in the weeds: “Steel” is an iron alloy: a mixture of iron with other metals to address the weaknesses of iron, especially rust and corrosion. Stainless Steel - aka “Inox” from the French “Inoxydable” or “Rostfrei” in German - is an alloy with Chromium and Nickel.

Chromium forms an oxide that protects against the rust that causes corrosion and Nickel strengthens the alloy - adding tensile strength - by supporting its underlying crystalline structure. This so-called “Austenitic” stainless steel - named for the 19th Century metallurgist who discovered all this - makes up over 70% of global stainless steel production and must contain at least 16% Chromium.

The ratings refer to the ratio of Chromium to Nickel in the stainless steel used in the particular product. And, as usual, more is usually better: the higher the numbers, the more rust protection and strength and flexibility in that stainless steel.

So most better cookware and flatware products are rated 18/10. If the product doesn’t talk about the rating, then it’s probably 18/8.

Maybe more than you wanted to know, but … go out and amaze your friends!