Everything that involves growing, transporting, and preparing food needs to be carefully thought out and well-regulated. There are many opportunities for product damage, bacterial proliferation, and other problems. Therefore, the application of food-grade stainless steel has proven to be an increasingly sought-after solution.
Naturally, to offer the best products, it's important to understand the properties of stainless steel and its applications in the food industry. Its role is much more important than just as a container or part of certain structures.
Follow and understand the role of stainless steel in food.
As you may already know, stainless steel, also called simply “stainless steel", is used in a variety of settings. This includes the food industry, where its demand is growing.
If you manufacture equipment for this sector or supply materials for its manufacture, you're probably already familiar with the qualities of food-grade stainless steel. Its composition and functionality are ideal for meeting the demands of this sector.
Check out its main qualities here.
As the name suggests, stainless steel is a non-oxidizing metal, meaning it doesn't rust. The result is a smoother surface, with less wear in the medium and long term. Furthermore, low oxidation means fewer metal particles are released and cling to food.
Some equipment in the food industry is made of stainless steel because it needs to be used for several hours at a time and cannot be replaced or stopped for maintenance frequently. This is the case with processing machines and industrial ovens, for example.
Due to less wear, the steel resistance stainless steel is perfect for this equipment, minimizing costs long-term maintenance.
If food is not handled and controlled with sufficient care, there is a high risk of poisoning or product damage. To minimize this risk, only the best materials should be used in packaging, handling, transportation, and preparation tools—whether industrial-grade or for home use.
And stainless steel guarantees non-contamination by retaining its passive oxide layer, ensuring the integrity of the food.
Another reason stainless steel is used in the food industry, especially in kitchen equipment, is its ease of cleaning after each use. Typically, metal surfaces develop grooves over time due to exposure to heat and chemicals.
However, as a high quality stainless steel It's highly resistant to this type of damage, preventing the buildup of organic matter and bacteria. As a result, it's much easier to keep the plates clean for the next job.
Something many people don't realize, but which significantly affects food quality, is the flavor the container imparts to the food. Iron pans, for example, also leave a residue after being used in the kitchen.
Therefore, having a container that negatively affects the flavor, whether during transportation or preparation, is always a problem. Fortunately, because stainless steel doesn't release particles onto the products, it also doesn't compromise their flavor.
Another important point to consider is how stainless steel is a more environmentally friendly material. steel recycling, if done correctly, can lead to 100% of material reuse, without loss of quality. In other words, the amount discarded is much smaller.
With all the qualities we've listed, it's no surprise that stainless steel has numerous uses in the food industry. See below for some key examples.
Cutlery and other kitchen utensils are exposed to corrosion and degradation over time, especially when exposed to water. That's why many of them are made of stainless steel, ensuring they last longer.
When it comes to a professional kitchen, the demands on cleanliness and durability are much higher. Therefore, industrial kitchens are often made almost entirely of stainless steel, which is more durable and helps to have the least possible impact on food. This means that contact with certain components doesn't alter its flavor.
As you might imagine, industrial ovens also need to be made with higher-quality materials, both to prevent food contamination and to ensure their functionality for longer. Again, stainless steel is one of the best alternatives, with high heat resistance and greater durability.
Steel is a highly versatile material, in part due to its variations. Depending on its composition and other added materials, it acquires different qualities and applications. Learn about some of the main types of food-grade stainless steel used today.
It is a steel composed of iron and smaller amounts of chromium, carbon, molybdenum, and nickel. This variation provides greater resistance to corrosion and heat, making it widely used in stove manufacturing. Some alloys contain manganese, which improves their abrasion resistance.
This type of stainless steel is made with iron and small amounts of carbon, chromium, and molybdenum. The absence of nickel reduces its strength somewhat, but it's still a good quality material for various industrial kitchen components, such as countertops. There's also a variation called "duplex," which combines the qualities of austenitic and ferritic steel.
Martensitic steel is made with iron and small amounts of carbon and chromium. It offers high wear resistance and is widely used in the manufacture of cutlery. This durability is primarily due to its higher-than-average carbon concentration.
Now you better understand the application of stainless steel in food and its advantages. Of course, to take advantage of these benefits, the most important thing is to have a good one. supplier, which delivers good quality steel.
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