Grades for Stainless Steel Flatware: 18/10, 18/8, 18/0, and ...

Not all stainless steel flatware is created equally. Close inspection of flatware packaging for dinner knives, forks, and spoons will usually list a numerical identification that might initially puzzle you. The designations 18/10, 18/0, or 13/0 indicate the percentages of chromium and nickel included in the stainless steel alloy. These numbers also give you an accurate way to judge the quality of the flatware, as higher percentages of nickel are generally regarded as superior. Thus, 18/10 flatware is widely understood to be the best quality.

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Keep reading to better understand stainless steel grades for flatware so you can best determine the quality of the flatware you are buying.

The Composition of Stainless Steel

The stainless steel used in flatware is an alloy&#; a composite of various types of steel along with additional metals that lend improved appearance and performance. In the case of the stainless steel used in flatware, chromium is added to the blend to create an alloy with good rust resistance, while nickel is added to provide a silver-like shine along with some additional rust resistance. Typically, the higher the percentage of each additional metal, the higher the quality of the stainless steel alloy.

18/10 Stainless Steel

This grade of stainless steel is comprised of 18 percent chromium and 10 percent nickel, with the remaining 72 percent comprised of steel. The alloy composition makes everyday stainless steel cutlery easy to care for, and for the most part, it has some amount of resistance when it comes to pitting or rusting. It is an extremely durable grade of steel and can last for decades when properly cared for.

18/8 Stainless Steel

Not very different than 18/10 or Grade 304 stainless steel, 18/8 typically has a chromium percentage of 18% and a nickel percentage of about 8%. It is resistant to most corrosion but more vulnerable to water and salt wear over time. This grade&#;which can last for 50 years&#;can also withstand more heat than lower-graded stainless steel.

18/0 Stainless Steel

Compared to 18/10 and 18/8, 18/0 cutlery uses Grade 400 stainless steel, which is 18% chromium and 0% nickel. This grade has less longevity and shiny stain resistance than its higher-grade counterparts. Although it is the most vulnerable to corrosion, it is dishwasher safe and a good quality for its less expensive price. Since it is less durable, 18/0 stainless steel will likely only last for a few years.

13/0 Stainless Steel

A 13/0 grade of stainless steel contains 13% chromium and 0% nickel. Similar to 18/0, this grade also has less stain resistance and longevity compared to 18/10 and 18/8. As the least expensive grade of stainless steel, 13/0 flatware is usually found in institutions where quantity is valued over quality (such as some restaurant chains and hospitals.) It is the most suitable for knives, yet bends easily., so expect this grade level to last for a few years.

Flatware Weights

Composition of the stainless steel is not the only criterion for judging the quality of flatware. Within each grade category, flatware is available in various weights:

• Forged: This flatware is the thickest and strongest, made from a single piece of metal with embossing forged into all sides, not just stamped on the surface. This flatware has maximum durability and is often the choice for high-end commercial restaurants. This flatware will be notably heavy in the hand.
• Extra heavy weight: This is a premium grade of flatware that is also often found in restaurants and hotels. Compared to lesser grades, it is quite hard to bend and feels very sturdy.
• Heavy weight: This flatware is also of fairly high quality and is a good choice for durable everyday home use. It is found in many mid-level restaurants.
• Medium weight: Also known as economy weight, this is a fairly lightweight class of flatware that is fairly easily flexed and bent. Institutional settings such as school cafeterias often use this weight. For the home, medium-weight flatware represents the bargain offerings at mass merchant retailers.
  

Thus, the very best cutlery is represented by forged 18/10 stainless steel, while the least expensive bargain flatware would be medium-weight 18/0 or 13/0 stainless steel.

Stainless Steel Flatware Costs

No matter what stainless steel composition is used, flatware costs can vary widely depending on the metal weight used. Some forged 18/0 flatware is more expensive than heavy-weight cutlery using 18/10 stainless steel.

Assuming metal weights and style are comparable, 18/0 cutlery will be at least half the cost of fine 18/10 cutlery. One prominent manufacturer, for example, recently offered a 20-piece (four place settings) set of 18/10 cutlery in a simple, unadorned style for about $140, while the same place setting in 18/0 stainless steel sold for $48. A similar cost range is found in other manufacturers offering the same styles in different grades.

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Shopping Tips

• When shopping, take the time to open the flatware package and handle a utensil. An 18/10 spoon has a great "feel" in your hand&#;somewhat heavy but well-balanced&#;and the stainless is gleaming. It should look very elegant. Such quality flatware is worth paying the higher price.
• Give some thought to how many flatware servings to buy so you will have a set that meets your immediate and future needs. Quality flatware is sometimes available in sets and also individually with open stock availability. This should be confirmed if you intend to grow your set over time.
• Signs of low-quality stainless are rough edges, lack of luster, lightweight, and lacking balance when handled. These would also probably have no stainless specifications to confirm metal details. You can still use such flatware, and it might be ideal for starter cutlery; you can upgrade as your budget allows.
• Check the flatware packaging for other product information, especially international or national standards, to ensure this flatware product meets acceptable standards for your area.

Care Tips

It should be noted that even the best stainless steel flatware is subject to occasional pitting and corrosion if not properly cared for. Here are some tips for keeping your stainless steel flatware looking and performing its best:

• Dishwasher detergents tend to be harsh to stainless steel flatware and that can sometimes cause blemishes. These can often be removed with a stainless steel cleaner, but pitting, chipping, or rusting is sometimes permanent.
• Immediately after washing, polish your flatware with a microfiber cloth to remove water spots or smudges.
• Presoaking for about 20 minutes before washing will help cutlery washed in the dishwasher get completely clean.

A good set of stainless-steel flatware is one of first things you buy for your kitchen, and most people rarely, if ever, replace it. But let's say you're about to move into your first real kitchen, or you've finally had it with the desperation forks you bought at Ikea 20 years ago. How much are you going to spend on your flatware? The prices of a standard four-person flatware set with five-piece place settings (dinner fork, salad fork, soup spoon, dinner knife, teaspoon) start at $8 (the price of Ikea's ubiqutious Förnuft set) and climb to a couple hundred. So how much should you spend to ensure you're getting a long-lasting set that can be served to your family and dinner guests alike? You need some shopping criteria and a few good examples to help you decide.

Chromium and nickel percentages

Most flatware is made from a composite steel material; chromium and nickel are usually the main ingredients. When determining a set of flatware's quality, you'll want to look at the chromium and nickel percentages, the latter of which adds luster and provides resistance to corrosion. Stainless steel flatware sets are labeled with one of three ratios indicating the amount of chromium and nickel: 18/10, 18/8, or 18/0. The highest quality is 18/10 (18% chromium, 10% nickel), and the lowest is 18/0, which has a negligible amount of nickel and is thus more prone to rust.

Is it forged or stamped?

There are two primary ways of turning stainless steel into cutlery: forging or stamping. Forged flatware is made from a thick piece of stainless steel that's heated and cut to form each utensil. Stamped flatware is cut like a stamp out of a piece of stainless steel. Because of the heating process, forged flatware is stronger than stamped flatware, which is more flexible. You shouldn't necessarily only buy forged flatware, but the difference (especially for knives) is something to take into consideration.

Versatility

Finally, you should buy silverware that can be used in a variety of dining situations. My own mother used to bring out a chest of fancy silverware when guests came over (I remember because I had to hand-wash and immediately towel-dry them after the party), but she hasn't gotten it out for dinner parties in the last 10 years. Instead, she relies on one dishwasher-safe set that suits all occasions.

Below are a few 20-piece stainless-steel flatware sets judged according to the above factors. Unless otherwise noted, each place setting includes a dinner fork, salad fork, soup spoon, dinner knife, and a teaspoon.

Fortessa Spada Brushed Flatware Set

We like the clean lines of this Fortessa 18/10 flatware set. We're unable to confirm if it's forged or stamped, but it's well-made and has a brushed finish. Each five-piece setting costs $28, making it an extremely affordable set. We've found that if you go below that price point, you risk compromising quality.

Crate & Barrel Clark Mirror Set

This 20-piece set is made from 18/10 forged stainless steel, so it passes our quality test. It has a mirror finish that gives it enough shine to work for formal parties, but a minimalist design that fits in at casual dinners. It's dishwasher-safe and has a 25-year warranty. The $160 price tag boils down to $40 per setting.

Aston Flatware Place Setting

Like the Crate & Barrel set, this flatware from Williams Sonoma is made from 18/10 stainless steel. The knives are forged from hardened steel, and each piece is hand-polished. The Aston has a more traditional look than the sets above, with raised bands and curves. It's slightly more expensive than the other sets, but we think it's an investment piece that's worth the money&#;especially if you're looking for a more classic style of flatware.

Oneida Sheraton Fine Flatware Set

Oneida has been making flatware since and has a solid reputation as a high-quality, classic utensil brand. Their Sheraton set perfectly embodies this, with its etched, teardrop-shaped handles and weighty feel. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Sheraton 5-Piece Fine Flatware Set

Mepra Fantasia Color Flatware

Striving for 18/10 stainless-steel flatware doesn't mean you can't opt for a fun, colorful set. Mepra's cheery Fantasia flatware comes in a variety of colored enamel handles.

Mepra Fantasia Color 20-Piece Flatware

Zwilling Polished Opus

Maybe your current flatware set contains knives that aren't fit for anything but butter. Consider replacing it with this Zwilling set: The knives are forged for precise sharpness. Every piece is, of course, 18/10 stainless steel. At $168 for a 45-piece set, the Zwilling Opus line gets you serious bang for your buck (and, as a bonus, it's currently on sale).

Cambridge Silversmiths Julie Satin

This Cambridge Silversmiths set wins top marks in flatware reviews around the internet. Consider it the Helvetica of flatware: modern and simple in a way that fits in pretty much every home decor style. Combine that with the magic 18/10 ratio, a reasonable price, and a 25-year warranty and you'll see why it's so highly regarded.

For more information, please visit Economy Stainless Steel Flatware.