Is 304 stainless steel food grade or non-food grade?

In modern kitchens and daily life, stainless steel products are popular for their durability and corrosion resistance.

However, facing the stainless steel products on the market, have you ever been confused by the labels of "food grade" and "non-food grade"? Today, let's discuss whether 304 stainless steel is food grade stainless steel? And provide you with a practical purchase guide.

Is 304 stainless steel food grade?

SUS 304 stainless steel is a common material among stainless steels, with a density of 7.93 g/cm³; it is also called 18/8 stainless steel in the industry, which means it contains more than 18% chromium and more than 8% nickel; it is resistant to high temperatures of 800℃, has good processing performance and high toughness, and is widely used in the industrial and furniture decoration industries and the food and medical industries.

However, it should be noted that the content index of food grade 304 stainless steel is more stringent than that of ordinary 304 stainless steel. For example: the international definition of 304 stainless steel is that it mainly contains 18%-20% chromium and 8%-10% nickel, but food grade 304 stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel, which allows fluctuations within a certain range and limits the content of various heavy metals.

How to ensure that the 304 stainless steel pipe you buy is truly safe?

Here are some practical suggestions:
Observe the appearance: The surface of high-quality 304 stainless steel pipes is smooth, without obvious defects, uniform color and metallic luster. If the surface is rough, rusty or has obvious color difference, it may be that the material is impure or improperly processed.
Simple test: You can use a magnet for preliminary identification.
Real 304 stainless steel is not strongly magnetic. If the magnet can be easily adsorbed, it means that other ferritic stainless steel components may be mixed in.
Choose a reputable brand: well-known brands often have stricter control over product quality and more guaranteed after-sales service. As a stainless steel supplier with 16 years of export, GNEE has a strong reputation and supply strength in the field of stainless steel. It supplies 304 stainless steel pipes with various specifications and can do a variety of surface treatments. If you have any questions about 304 stainless steel, please contact us in time!