Stainless steel flatware is pretty cheap, the price usually starts from less than $2 per piece of flatware. The bigger the set, the lower the price per piece will be. Of course, the overall price depends on the manufacturer, stainless steel grade, and so on. For rare vintage stainless steel flatware sets the price can get pretty higher, usually exceeding $10 for a piece.
What is Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is an alloy that contains iron and a minimum of about 11% chromium. This alloy gained popularity thanks to its unique properties such as rust and heat resistance.
The alloy can have different properties and applications depending on what other materials are mixed with and the proportion of those.
There are multiple stainless steel families and over 150 grades, thus we can say that it is one of the most used alloys and has a wide range of domain applications.
Stainless steel became the perfect material to be used for cooking utensils and cookware, as it is corrosion and staining resistant, has a nice luster and it is easy to clean and maintain. Also, its high workability and ductility allowed the creation of cheap cookware, flatware, and storage units for food products. It is easy to clean and it doesn’t need special protective coatings making it perfect for kitchens and food processing factories.
What is Stainless Steel Used For?
As mentioned above, stainless steel has a huge variety of applications. Some application domains are food and beverage storage units, architecture, art and monuments, chemical and petrochemical processing, vehicles, water piping and installations, medicine, kitchen utensils, cookware, and so on.
When we say flatware, we usually think of stainless steel. That’s the case, also, for different kitchen utensils and appliances.
Stainless steel is also preferred for kitchen sinks due to its durability, heat resistance, and ease of cleaning.
History of Stainless Steel
The stainless steel invention had a long journey of scientific discoveries beforehand, starting in the early 1800s. First, the chromium metal was discovered, then the chromium-iron alloys, and then the corrosion resistance of the alloy has been noticed by Pierre Berthier who suggested their use for flatware.
After the discovery of chromium, it took about 100 years until the stainless steel was invented, around 1912.
It was a long trial and error process, and many iron alloys with various properties have been discovered.
In the beginning, it was created steel that contained a small amount of chromium and it was used for the construction of bridges, for its corrosion resistance properties.
It took many years as well to came up with the name we know today, as it first was sold under different brand names.
The mass production of stainless steel began in the 1950s due to technological advances, and more importantly, it became more affordable.
History of Stainless Steel Flatware
Flatware is normally stainless steel, and the reasons for that are obvious, as we mentioned above. They are easy to clean, corrosion-resistant, non-toxic, affordable, and above all, they are not changing the taste of the food.
Today we take those things for granted, especially the last one, but no long time ago the standard was the silverware. However, sterling silver is quite inert but still reacts with some foods and has a slightly metallic taste.
The first tasteless metal that was used for flatware was gold, but as you can imagine this is too rare and expensive to be used by anyone. In history, it was reserved only for kings and royal families.
So, stainless steel gained popularity after its discovery, as it is cheap to produce, and have all those amazing properties.
Stainless steel is also usually used for cookware and bakeware as thin surface cladding over a core of copper, as stainless steel is a poor heat conductor, compared to copper, which is an excellent one.
Stainless steel flatware steadily gained popularity after 1920, starting to replace its old relative, the silverware. Today stainless steel flatware is the standard.
Is Stainless Steel Antimicrobial?
Although stainless steel has amazing properties, it doesn’t have the antimicrobial one, as copper and copper alloys have.
Honestly, it doesn’t even need to and is widely used for surgical tools as it is very easy to clean and maintain, and due to its high-temperature resistance, the equipment can be sterilized in an autoclave.
Is Stainless Steel Flatware Safe?
The answer is yes. Stainless steel flatware became the standard of kitchen utensils as they are safe to use, durable, and easy to clean.
However, there are some rules and guidelines to follow. Stainless steel is considered safe if it has at least 16% chromium. The utensils have to be in good condition, and here I mean to not have deep scratches or any corrosion sign as they can leach nickel and chromium into the foods.
These elements are not toxic, so there is no real health concern but is not recommended to ingest high concentrations.
Stainless steel flatware is considered to be inert and thus it will not react with food not even with acidic ones, and will not change the taste of food.
Tarnish and Corrosion of Stainless Steel
We can say that stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, although corrosion can occur if the alloy is not suited for the working environment.
Stainless steel with sufficient chromium ratio will form a thin inert surface film of chromium oxide by reaction with the oxygen in the air. This passive film stops the oxygen from reaching the steel surface, therefore preventing further corrosion.
This film has the property of self-repairing which means it will quickly regenerate if it gets scratched or even removed.
The strength of this film is influenced by the alloy composition, especially the chromium content.
How to Clean and Maintain Vintage Stainless Steel Flatware
Stainless steel flatware is easy to clean and maintain. Usually, all you have to do is to wash them after use with warm water and mild dish soap.
It is best to dry the flatware with a soft cloth after washing, otherwise if left to dry naturally, the water will leave marks on it.
In the unlikely case of tarnished stainless steel flatware, mix 1 part vinegar to 8 parts hot water in a bowl and soak your flatware for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse clean and dry thoroughly after, using a soft cloth.
Conclusion
Today, stainless steel is the way to go for flatware. It is perfect for day to day use, it’s safe, easy to maintain, and cheap.
You can opt-in for vintage stainless steel flatware pieces, from the 70s or 60s or even 50s. You can find unique pieces from famous early brands that first produced those kinds of flatware.
Otherwise, you can buy some retro-looking stainless steel flatware, and certainly, you wouldn’t regret it, as they enhance the dinner table with their classic look, and impeccable shining.
It can be a well-appreciated gift too, especially for a wedding or housewarming present.