From cutlery to kitchenware to food production to power generation, there are a plethora of uses for stainless steel.

What is stainless steel? Simply put, it’s a steel alloy (a metal made by two or more metallic elements) that contains chromium, which helps make it resistant to tarnishing and rust.

Two of the most common types of stainless steel are Stainless Steel 304 and Stainless Steel 316. Each of has their own pros and cons. Stainless Steel 304 is the most common grade of stainless steel. It is widely known for its resistance to corrosion and value. Since 304 can withstand corrosion, it is most often used in food production and for kitchen applications.

One disadvantage of 304 is that is at risk of corrosion from saline (salt) environments and it is also susceptible to corrosion from chloride solutions.

Stainless Steel 316 is the second most common form of stainless steel and is nearly identical to 304. The biggest difference is that 316 contains molybdenum. Th