need lesson on 300vs400 stainless

[wvsugarshak]

Hi my brotherlaw who has been bit by the maple bug has built a pan 2x5 out of what i think is 1/8 inch thick 400 series Stainless is this ok other then being thick for the heat transfer i think it will last forever?

[Bucket Head]

I am not an expert so I can not explain the difference. I can only tell you that the 300 series stainless is food grade. A friend of mine work's for a company that make's milking equipment and that is what they use.

I forget now wether I got 306 or 308 for my rig but it came from there. I do know I welded it with .025 308 mig wire.

Steve

[Bucket Head]

I need to revise my last post. I might be confused with the 306?? I think I ment 304 grade stainless.

All the stainless fitting's I welded on were 304. I purchased those myself and they have 304 cast or stamped on them.

Steve

[brookledge]

If you were to have a choice you should use 300 series instead of 400 series. You can tell by using a magnet. If you have 400 series it has steel in it and is magnetic. Most manufactuers use 300 series. 300 series will be more corrosive resistant. But at this point if you have already made a pan with 400 series don't worry about it.
Keith

[802maple]

It is pretty much like Kieth said, 400 is basically a plating over steel that will rust if scratched and 300 is a solid alloy stainless that won't

[wvsugarshak]

yes it is magnatize do you see it being 1/8 thick a plus or minus and should we clean it the same way? and thanks again for all the answers.

[RileySugarbush]

There are a lot of different types of 300 and 400 series stainless steels. They are all called stainless steel, but have different properties and different metallurgical makeups. The 300 series have very good corrosion resistance and most are non magnetic. Almost all the decorative and food processing stainless is 304.

400 series can have many different properties, some can be hardened and are used for knives (440C). Others are very cheap and are used for things like auto exhausts (409). Most are magnetic.

You've got the pan now, try it out!