Tips on Choosing and Caring For Quality Stainless Steel Flatware
By: Allen Franklin
Submitted: 2009-08-14 17:19:49 | Word Count: 507
You eat everyday, usually at least three times. So consider how much wear and tear your utensils endure over the years: the daily use, the trips through the dishwasher, the acidic foods. If you want your flatware to last, you need to choose a quality set and take care of it properly. Here’s how to do it properly or in a more efficient ways.
Silverware or Stainless Steel Flatware?
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Both silver and stainless steel flatware are fine choices. All sterling silverware is made from at least 92.5 silver. Copper and similar elements make up the rest, adding strength to the flatware. Because silver is highly malleable, manufacturers can shape beautiful, intricate patterns into the utensils. You can also choose silver plated flatware. These are knives, forks, and spoons electroplated with silver. The plating, however, tends to wear off over the period of time.
Stainless steel is just as durable and sturdy as silver, and you don’t have to polish it. It isn’t as malleable as silver, though, so steel flatware trends towards simpler, cleaner designs. As a consequence, stainless steel looks more modern, although you can still find lovely traditional sets.
The biggest difference is price. A set of quality sterling silver flatware will cost upwards of $500, and often thousands of dollars. Silver plated can run anywhere from $70 $350. Stainless steel is the least expensive, and runs about $40 $250 for a set.
How to Pick Durable Stainless Steel Flatware
Despite its name, stainless steel flatware can stain over the years. Low quality stainless steel utensils are especially susceptible to rusting and corrosion. How can you tell good steel from bad?
Look for the numbers 18/10 or 18/0. An 18/10 piece of stainless steel has 18 chromium and 10 nickel in the metal, while 18/0 has the same chromium but no nickel. Chromium gives the metal strength, and nickel protects it against rusting, pitting, and corrosion. 18/10 is better than 18/0 but also more expensive. Both are superior to a regular set of stainless steel.
Simple Dos and Don’ts for Flatware Care
Now that you’ve chosen a set of stainless steel, silver plated, or sterling silver flatware, you need to take care of it. It’s not that hard, but it is a little different than cleaning your other dishes. With these tips your flatware set should last a lifetime.
• DO use your silverware everyday. Over time the silver oxidizes, and your flatware will take on a natural luster. You’ll never have to polish your silverware again!
• DON’T wash your silverware in the dishwasher. Only clean it by hand.
• DO immediately rinse off flatware with foods such as egg, tomato sauce, or citrus fruits on them. The acid in these foods can damage even stainless steel.
• DON’T wash stainless steel flatware with silverware. The chemical reaction between the metals can ruin your flatware.
• DO remove stainless steel flatware from the dishwasher as soon as it finishes washing. Leaving it in for the drying cycle can lead to rust.
• DON’T soak your flatware. Prolonged exposure to water just asks for rust.
