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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
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.
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Mepra Fantasia Color 20-Piece Flatware
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).
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.
When it comes to choosing professional flatware for your foodservice establishment, one of the most important factors to figure out is which grade of stainless steel will work best for your restaurant.
Stainless steel is a popular material used in flatware due to its durability, corrosion resistance, and ease of maintenance. There are various grades of stainless steel used for flatware, each with different properties and characteristics. In this article, we help you decide the right grade stainless steel for your establishment by comparing durability, price, aesthetic appeal, and more.
When considering which grade of stainless steel would work best for your business and budget, it&#;s important to first note the similarities and differences between the common grades&#;18/10, 18/8, and 18/0&#;of commercial flatware used in the restaurant industry. The first number, 18, indicates the level of chromium, which adds toughness and resilience to steel. The second number indicates the levels of nickel.
All three grades of stainless steel are durable, making them suitable for years of continued use within a busy professional environment. Similarly, all three grades are corrosion-resistant, easy to clean, and safe for use in commercial dishwashers (however it is always wise to defer to manufacturer recommendations).
The main difference between the three types of stainless steel is the amount of nickel each grade holds. 18/10 stainless steel has the most nickel, followed by 18/8 stainless steel, and 18/0 stainless steel. The amount of nickel contained within the stainless steel affects many qualities of flatware, bringing about both benefits and drawbacks to each grade, which we will now examine in detail.
This grade of stainless steel contains 10% nickel.
This stainless steel contains 8% nickel. It is also known as 304 stainless steel.
This grade of stainless steel contains no nickel. It is also known as 430 stainless steel.
The best grade of stainless steel flatware for a restaurant will depend on the specific needs of the establishment. For example, a fine dining restaurant that wants to provide its guests with the highest quality flatware will likely choose 18/10 stainless steel. A mid-range or casual restaurant that is looking for a more affordable option may choose 18/8 stainless steel. And a restaurant with a high turnover of flatware may opt for 18/0 stainless steel because it is less expensive to replace. What grade of stainless steel does your restaurant prefer and why? Let us know in the comment section!
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