Starland Metals Blog

The newest trend in catering and the rest of the food and beverage industry is stainless steel kitchen catering equipment, as an increasing number of hotels, restaurants, cafes, and other food service companies are installing and using stainless. This equipment includes stainless steel napkin holders, dishes, utensils, coffee machines, and other items.

As long as stainless is properly maintained, it lasts for years. It is usually scratch and dent resistant, and is designed and coated to last for years. Even when used on a daily basis, it maintains its shiny, upscale look, and the corrosion and rust resistant properties of stainless steel sheets protect your equipment for much longer than other materials would last.

Perhaps the main reason for this popularity, beyond the aesthetic, is the cleanliness of stainless steel. This metal is much more hygienic than other metals because of its smooth surface. Since it isn’t porous, it doesn’t provide bacteria or other germs a place to catch and grow, and simple cleaners will remove all residue and contamination.

Furthermore, stainless is remarkably lightweight and, thus, easy to move around and lift for serving and cleaning. Since it is heat resistant, it won’t feel hot if servers are carrying or serving hot food from stainless serving dishes. Many stainless pots and pans are coated with copper on the bottom to make them conduct heat better.

All stainless steel kitchen items should be cleaned with light sponges, not abrasive scourers, which can remove the finish on the steel. Hot, soapy water and rinsing is all that is necessary.

Grade 304 stainless steel is the standard “18/8” stainless, and is the most widely used and versatile grade of stainless steel available. This grade is widely available in the broadest range of products, finishes, and forms than any other grade, and has very good welding and forming characteristics.

This grade is dominant in the manufacture of drawn stainless steel part and products, like hollow-ware, saucepans, and sinks, and is easier for stainless steel fabricators to work with. It can be readily break or roll formed into many different components for applications in transportation, architectural, and industrial fields.

Consumers can also order Grade 304L stainless steel sheet metal, which is the low carbon version of 304, and does not require post-weld annealing. This is extensively used in heavy gauge components that are over 6 mm. Grade 304H is higher in carbon content, and can find applications at higher temperatures. This particular grade has superior toughness to other grades.

Grade 304 has excellent corrosion resistance, and is heat-resistant up to very high Celsius temperatures. It also has great weld-ability, and can be machined relatively easily. An improved machinability version is also available in bar products.

Customers looking for stainless steel sheets should consider all comparable grads before making their selection. Different grades are ideal for different purposes, and while grade 304 is great for many different applications, and is durable and versatile, other grades may be optimal for certain applications.

If you want an expert opinion when making your decision, call 507-834-6915, extension 523, to speak to a Starland Metals representative.

Stainless steel sheets have a variety of industrial uses, including stainless steel kitchen applications. Since stainless resists corrosion and other types of damage and is easy to keep clean, it is an excellent choice for areas of food or medical supply preparation.

Here are some of the benefits of using stainless steel for your industrial countertops:

• The cost of stainless steel sheet metal is relatively low, considering the years of use you will get out of your countertops. This means that, once purchased, you should not need to purchase new countertops or spend a large amount of money repairing your countertops. Stainless steel is known for its durability, meaning it is perfect for standing up to the moisture, food germs, and heat of your kitchen.
• Since stainless is a non-porous surface, it is perfect to use for food preparation. It doesn’t have places to hide contamination, thus hindering the growth of viruses and bacteria in your kitchen. It can also be wiped down quickly with a simple cleaner and cloth.
• Since stainless is heat-resistant, it will not melt or stain if you place hot pans or other extremely hot items on your countertops. They will also not melt under normal industrial oven and stove temperatures, making them the ideal choice.
• Stainless has a modern, clean aesthetic that will make your kitchen look fashionable and new. This means it not only looks good on a daily basis, but will look great if it should be photographed. This can also be a big selling point in hiring new employees or attracting investors.

Stainless steel is a great option for many different applications, particularly for surfaces and dishes that are used in food preparation. Stainless steel sheets can be used to make stainless steel grills, stainless steel plates, cups, cookie cutters, and much more. There are several main reasons for this.

1. Stainless steel doesn’t absorb flavors or collect residue like other surfaces do. You can rub the surface with a cotton ball and no fibers will be left behind. This makes stainless a great option for food preparation surfaces, like countertops, since it will not change the flavor or contaminate the food with any harmful additives and residue.
2. Since stainless steel has a corrosion-proof film, meaning it will not be damaged and won’t corrode or rust if exposed to acidic foods or moisture over and over. You can use these dishes and countertops for years without any damage being sustained.

Beyond the benefits that make stainless steel good for food health and flavor, it is also good for durability and lifespan. Stainless steal is impervious to heat, fire, and corrosion, meaning it will last for many years of heavy use. Since it cleans quickly and easily, it is low maintenance and lasts a long time.

These benefits make stainless steel the only option for public eateries and food service establishments. This is why the kitchens at restaurants are stainless steel: they are easy to clean, stay clean for years, and easily pass health codes and inspections.

For a cost-effective, easily maintainable, durable, clean surface, always choose stainless steel.

If you look back on the past 25 years, it’s pretty clear stainless steel sheet has had a remarkably long run as the material of choice for kitchen appliances. There are some rumors the impressive reign of stainless steel kitchen appliances is coming to an end, as alternate materials like white ice plastic are starting to make some inroads in the kitchen appliances market. Before jumping to any conclusions, however, it’s helpful to look at why stainless steel enjoyed so much staying power over the past quarter century.

To begin with, think about what a homeowner demands from home appliance materials. Some of the most important factors to consider include:

• Sales price
• Maintenance requirements
• Cleaning requirements
• Durability and lifespan
• Aesthetics

Prices can be high when you buy stainless steel products. If, though, you consider value for the money, these other factors come to the fore.

Clearly, one of the biggest benefits of stainless steel is its low maintenance. The fact is that having a resistance to corrosion and other elements means stainless steel rarely sustains serious damage. The same cannot be said of competing materials like wood, plastic and other metals. In addition, stainless steel is easy to keep clean, as implied by the “stainless” in its name. These two factors provide plenty of incentive to go with stainless steel kitchen appliances.

There’s more to it than just these factors, however. Stainless steel has a lifespan of multiple decades, which means you won’t replace your appliances due to poor quality material. Aesthetically, it has a universal appeal that works well in a wide range of kitchen décor schemes.

It just so happens that stainless steel products can be an investment that pays off big-time down the road. One great example of this is trim moulding made from stainless steel sheet metal. As you know, trim moulding is used at the spot where walls and floors or walls and ceilings intersect, both on the inside and the outside of a building. Typically, you’ll find trim moulding in materials made from wood or plaster for residential homes, but for commercial or industrial space, stainless steel makes a lot of sense.

Your goal in installing trim moulding made of stainless steel sheet is to protect the building, first and foremost. It preserves the building’s integrity by serving as a shield against the elements in some of the most vulnerable places of the structure. At the same time, it provides further insulation to ensure that the building isn’t wasting money with excessive heating or cooling. Protecting your building from the elements and containing energy costs will save you money in the long run.

Best of all, stainless sheet metal is durable and lasts for a long time. It doesn’t degrade quickly and is resistant to corrosion and the elements, making it a great choice for trim moulding. Overall, if you want to have a building that’s well protected and insulated, stainless steel trim moulding is a fantastic choice. From the energy savings to the lower maintenance bills, you’re bound to be better off with trim moulding made from stainless steel sheet metal.

If you look back on the past 25 years, it’s pretty clear that stainless steel sheet has had a remarkably long run as the material of choice for kitchen appliances. There are some rumors that the impressive reign of stainless steel kitchen appliances is coming to an end, as alternate materials like white ice plastic are starting to make some inroads in the kitchen appliances market. However, before jumping to any conclusions, it’s helpful to look at why stainless steel has enjoyed so much staying power for the past quarter century.

To begin with, think about what a homeowner demands from home appliance materials. Some of the most important factors to consider include:

• Sales price
• Maintenance requirements
• Cleaning requirements
• Durability and lifespan
• Aesthetics

Prices can be high when you buy stainless steel products, but if you consider value for the money, these other factors come to the fore.

Clearly, one of the biggest benefits of stainless steel is its low maintenance. The fact is, having a resistance to corrosion and other elements means that stainless steel will rarely sustain serious damage. The same cannot be said of competing materials like wood, plastic, and other metals. In addition, stainless steel is easy to keep clean, as implied by the “stainless” in its name. These two factors provide plenty of incentive to go with stainless steel kitchen appliances.

However, there’s more to it than just those factors. Stainless steel has a lifespan of multiple decades, which means you won’t have to replace your appliances because of poor quality material. Aesthetically, it has a universal appeal that works well in a wide range of kitchen décor schemes.

Is Stainless Steel Obsolete as a Home Décor Choice?

Recently, home appliance maker Whirlpool announced that it would begin selling a line of appliances with a new white ice exterior. The sleek and modern design has turned heads, and it begs the question: Is stainless steel going to be obsolete as a choice for home décor in your kitchen? To answer this, it helps to consider the precedent. Since stainless steel first started appearing in homes more than 25 years ago, it has had remarkable staying power. Any new trend or fad in appliances will have an uphill climb to supplant stainless steel kitchen appliances as the dominant choice.

Perhaps the most telling point is the fact that Whirlpool hasn’t discontinued its stainless steel offerings. It’s still easy to find high quality stainless steel sheet used for everything from refrigerators and counters, to grills and backsplashes. While some new homes might try to accommodate a more modern style with bold white or black appliances, there is still a wide range of practical benefits to owning stainless steel, such as low maintenance, ease of cleaning, and a long life. Beyond those, many people still appreciate the aesthetics of stainless steel, so to say it is obsolete is just silly. With all of these benefits, and more, it’s likely that you’ll see plenty of people continuing to buy stainless steel for their homes in the future.

Buying Stainless Steel Replacement Parts and Accessories

Stainless steel kitchens and appliances have become rapidly popular over the last decade. Compared to other materials, like tile and laminate, stainless steel is stain resistant, scratch resistant, and easy to clean. Though your appliances and kitchen accessories won’t wear out quickly, with consistent daily use your parts may eventually need to be replaced.

Buying stainless steel replacements is much simpler than replacing tile and laminate, because you don’t have to match colors and textures. Purchasing new knobs and starters for your stainless steel grill is easy and inexpensive, with Starland Metals. All our grill replacement parts are easy to install and you can order them online.

In addition to BBQ replacement parts, you can also replace other worn out accessories, like wall mounted coat hangers, which are also useful for hanging pots and pans. If you already have a stainless steel kitchen, but haven’t invested in a backsplash, we provide free custom cutting so that a backsplash fits snuggly into any kitchen. Backsplashes start as low as $20 and help with splashing problems, even for kitchens that aren’t outfitted with stainless steel.

You can customize your accessories with Starland Metals. Simply send us a drawing or sketch of the items you want us to fabricate from stainless steel, and we’ll send you a quote the same day. Our only condition is that work pieces can’t be over 2770 lbs. Other than that, anything you want to fabricate from stainless steel for your kitchen, garage, or workplace is possible with Starland Metals.