Stainless steel in food service
7 reasons why this material is indispensable in the kitchen
Working in a commercial kitchen requires endurance – and that goes for equipment and machines, too! Surfaces are attacked by heat, moisture, fruit acids and much more. That is why stainless steel is often the first choice. Read here about why to choose this material.
Reason 1: Stainless steel is hygienic
The top priority in every commercial kitchen is to create a hygienic environment. But what is it about stainless steel that makes it so special in this context? The important factors are the hardness and high density of the material. The particles fit together so tightly that they form a smooth, sealed surface, making stainless steel surfaces easy to clean and disinfect. Unlike rough surfaces such as wood or plastic, stainless steel makes it almost impossible for germs, bacteria or dirt particles to embed themselves permanently into the material. Glass shares these characteristics but is also brittle. The key with stainless steel is that it is not allowed to start rusting.
The hygiene benefits of stainless steel
- Stable chromium oxide layer prevents rust
- Food, fruit acids and detergents have got nothing on this material
- Very easy to clean
- Gives germs and bacteria nowhere to hide
- Leaves no harmful substances or contamination on food
- Does not change food in any way
Reason 2: Stainless steel is good for food safety
Food service businesses are just as responsible for food safety as the food industry is. Stainless steel is therefore the ideal material in both industries. Key benefit: Stainless steel fulfils the requirements set down in EU food hygiene legislation. This is based on the international HACCP regulation and the UN's Codex Alimentarius, among other sources. Simply take a peek at restaurant kitchens around the world and you will see: from the sink or sink unit to worktops and kitchen appliances – high-quality, professional equipment is mostly made from stainless steel.
Reason 3: Stainless steel is easy to clean
The right detergents can remove all dirt from the material. When cleaning stainless steel:
- Use diluted washing-up liquid to remove fingerprints
- Use cream cleaner for stubborn dirt
- Use an alcohol-based detergent or solvent such as acetone or methylated spirits for stubborn, greasy dirt
- Use special alkaline or solvent-based detergent to tackle colour stains
- Rinse surfaces with water after cleaning
- Do not use wire wool, detergents containing chlorides or hydrochloric acid, abrasive agents, bleach or silver polish!
Reason 4: Stainless steel does not rust
An important note to start: not all stainless steel will necessarily be rustproof. There are many different types of stainless steel which vary in make-up and characteristics. Only alloyed stainless steels are rustproof. Chromium and nickel are the go-to choices to alloy the steel, as is the case for common types of stainless steel in use in the food industry.
For example, cutlery is often marked with the figures 18/10 or 18/0. This denotes the proportions of materials: 18/10 means 18 % chromium and 10 % nickel; 18/0 means 18 % chromium and no nickel. European countries, Japan and the USA have their own additional material designations. For example, 18/10 stainless steel carries the EN material number 1.4301 in Europe, the designation AISI 304 in the USA and JIS SUS 304 in Japan.
Reason 5: Stainless steel is resistant to temperature changes
In the kitchens of restaurants, canteens and the like, things are heating up. But not only on the stove. Sometimes there's a hot sauce pot on the countertop, sometimes boiling water is being poured down the sink. And some appliances also get quite hot - from the hand blender to the dishwasher. The heat resistance of stainless steel is therefore a great advantage. 18/10 stainless steel can withstand temperatures of up to 600 degrees Celsius.
In addition, the material is generally considered to be a poor conductor of heat. In practice, this means that a hot pot that has just been put down does not immediately heat up the entire stainless steel countertop. A plus point for occupational safety.
Reason 6: Stainless steel can be welded
This is a key factor in manufacturing kitchen furniture and appliances using stainless steel. That is what makes possible such a wide range of shapes and options in the market for professional equipment. Custom products are even an option where needed. Welding is also great in terms of hygiene. For example, a stainless steel sink can be fitted perfectly and welded into a stainless steel worktop. The combination then works the same as if it had been cast that way. Welding avoids the junctions and joints that screws and studs create, where dirt and germs can then hide.
Reason 7: Stainless steel is durable and low maintenance
Stainless steel is the safe choice for work surfaces and appliances provided it is used properly and looked after, of course. The characteristics we have already described combine to make this material just as low maintenance as it is durable. That makes stainless steel especially financially viable. It very rarely needs replacing or renovating so the lifecycle costs won't run away with you.
Stainless steel – always the first choice
Stainless steel is also first choice for certain appliances and components in commercial kitchens because it is of such high quality. The dishwashing machine, for example, must be completely reliable. And this is somewhere that detergents, moisture and heat are constantly attacking the material.
That is why the warewashing technology specialists at Meiko use stainless steel. The M-iClean U professional dishwashing machine, for example, features a combined wash and rinse arm made from stainless steel. And in the M-iClean H hood type dishwashing machine, all of the pipework is made from stainless steel. Using the metal in this way brings more safety and reliability to your day-to-day work.
To keep the machines running smoothly, care and maintenance are still important. Read more about this in the following article:
