Why you should use Food Grade Stainless Steel

If you are working with food or other sensitive products, then is it essential that you ensure no foreign bodies or substances make an appearance in your stainless steel. When looking for modular pipework systems that will comply with the requirements of EC 1935/2004 and FDA regulations, you should consider Jacob because we always strive to provide absolute purity in your production line.

At Jacob, all of our components that are designed to come in contact with food are made exclusively of stainless steel featuring a minimum grade of V2A/1.4301. This applies to all elements of the product, including even the screws. We also refrain from using adhesives wherever possible, including in our vulcanised U-shaped seals. This ensures that they meet the European regulations EC 1935/2004 as well as the American food standards stipulated by the FDA, meaning that they are highly resistant to mechanical loads, high temperatures, chemicals, and solvents. If there is a situation where adhesives cannot be avoided, we are always careful to use food-grade adhesives.
 

If you have any questions about why your stainless steel needs to be food grade, and what that means for your products. Below is an explanation of what you need to know regarding the purchase of food-grade pipes.

The Finish

Stainless steel is designed to have a clean finish that is resistant to rusting. This is possible due to its blend of iron and chromium, these elements are resistant to many elements that iron cannot withstand on its own, helping to prevent rust. Corrosion or long exposure to water would be detrimental to many metals, but not stainless steel. Stainless steel can be washed or exposed to water without any risk of it rusting, making it much safer when in contact with food.

Cleaning

Because stainless steel is resistant to corrosion, it means that it is very good at keeping surfaces in contact with food or beverages sanitary and ready for use. Stainless steel is designed to prevent the possibility of bacterial growth and is very easy to clean and keep sanitised. Because of the previously mentioned resistance to rust, it is also able to be cleaned more frequently than other types of metal.

Resistance

In addition to being strong, safe and hard to corrode, there is another benefit to using food-grade stainless steel. It lacks the absorbancy of some other metals, meaning that it doesn't absorb colours, odours or other chemicals. When working in an industry that requires quick and frequent sanitisation, the reduced absorbency is highly beneficial and another reason why stainless steel is widely used for food, surgery, and other uses.

Grades

If you’ve spent any time looking up stainless steel, you’ve likely been greeted by a wide range of different numbers acting as descriptors. Stainless steel comes in a variety of different ‘grades’. These grades are used as a way to differentiate different kinds of stainless steel based on what they are capable of doing and what they can handle. There are many different types of food-grade stainless steel, and below is a breakdown of each option.

1. 304 Stainless Steel – The most common of all stainless steel grades. This grade is used in almost all kitchens and is easily identified by circling a pair of number formations: 18/8 and 18/10. 18/8 and 18/10 stand for the mixture of chromium and nickel that can be found in the metal itself. The more nickel in the metal, the more durable it is.
2. 316 Stainless Steel – This grade of stainless steel is designed to be even further resistant to corrosion than other grades. While it is food grade, it is also often used in applications where the metal is in more frequent contact with corrosive substances.
3. 3) 416 Stainless Steel – Considered to be ‘cutlery grade’, 416 Stainless Steel is resistant to corrosion while durable enough for heavy use inside of the kitchen.
4. 420 Stainless Steel – This grade of stainless steel is also ideal for kitchen use. Also known as ‘surgical steel’, 420 stainless steel will contain molybdenum which helps to fuel corrosion resistance.
5. 200 Series – Finally, you’ll also find 200 series stainless steel used in the food industry. 200-grade stainless steel is generally less durable and less corrosion resistant, so while it is often used for storage, it won’t often be used in situations where it needs frequent cleaning.

At Jacob, all of our stainless steel offerings are V2A/1.4301 (aka 304) or higher, meaning that you can always guarantee food safety and quality from our products. So if you a looking to purchase food-grade pipes for your facility, consider getting in contact with Jacob and have a look at our wide array of food-grade stainless steel. You will not be disappointed.