Flatware is available in a variety of materials, including stainless steel, sterling silver and metals combined with
other materials such as resin, wood and plastic.
Stainless Steel
For everyday use, look for stainless steel flatware.
Stainless steel flatware is durable and corrosion-resistant.
When buying stainless steel flatware, you'll notice numbers such as 18/10, 18/8 or 18/0, which represent the percentage
of chromium (first number) and nickel (second number) in the metal.
Many experts recommend choosing 18/10 stainless steel because the nickel content increases durability and adds
a soft silvery sheen to the flatware.
This is what makes flatware more expensive.
However, this number is not the whole story.
Most reputable manufacturers sell durable and rust-resistant flatware, regardless of the type of stainless steel used.
If you are looking for durable items at a good value, 18/0 is still a good choice; you won't get the highly polished finish
and superior rust resistance that nickel provides.
Stamped and Forged Stainless Steel
You may also notice that the product description mentions whether the cutlery is stamped or forged.
Stamped stainless steel is cut like a cookie cutter from a large piece of stainless steel, while forged cutlery is
made from a heated block of steel that is mashed together.
Forged cutlery is more durable than stamped due to the heating process.
If the product description does not include whether it is stamped or forged, compare the blade to the handle.
If they are similar in thickness and lighter in weight, then it is most likely stamped and it will not last as long as
forged in everyday use.
Sterling Silver
925 sterling silver is also durable, but is more expensive than stainless steel and requires polishing as it loses its
luster and develops a dark coating over time when exposed to airborne gases.
We think stainless steel is the best choice for most people, but if you're a collector or prefer a vintage aesthetic,
go for 925 sterling silver.
If properly cared for, a 925 sterling silver set will last you for years, increase in value and become a family
heirloom you can pass down from generation to generation.
I think there is too much beautiful silver flatware sitting unused in boxes or drawers.
If stored properly or used daily, it hardly needs polishing.
How to care for stainless steel flatware?
The best way to care for your flatware is to hand wash and dry it.
If a set of dishes is not dishwasher safe, it is because of a mixture of hot dishwasher detergent.
Dishwashers have an electric heating element in the bottom that heats to almost boiling.
This is coupled with dishwasher detergent, a high-temperature caustic detergent that removes food and debris
without scrubbing.
The high heat and detergent will remove the natural patina of the dishes and discolor them.
To better maintain the shine, you can also follow these steps when using.
1, Before use, you can apply a thin layer of vegetable oil on the surface of the utensils, and then dry on the fire,
it is equivalent to a yellowish oil film "coat" on the surface of the utensils.
In this way, easy to clean in use, can extend the service life.
2, Immediately after the use of warm water cleaning, to prevent the surface of the tableware oil, soy sauce,
vinegar, tomato juice and other substances acting on the surface of the tableware, resulting in stainless steel
surface fading, or even cause dents.
3, Stainless steel utensils after cleaning, should dry the surface of the water marks.
Because when heated, especially when used on a briquette stove, the combustion of sulfur dioxide and sulfur
trioxide produced by meeting water will produce sulfurous acid and sulfuric acid, affecting the service life of the utensils.
4, Stainless steel tableware after a period of time, the surface will have a layer of fog film.
Use a soft cloth dipped in some decontamination powder or detergent scrub, restore the brightness.
If the outside is smoked black, you can also use this method to remove.
5, Stainless steel utensils do not soak in water for a long time, otherwise the surface of the utensil will darken and lose its luster.
In fact, to keep the luster of the tableware, the most important thing is to use raw materials to buy quality products.
However, for many people, hand washing is not realistic.
Even if you use a dishwasher, there are steps you can take to make sure your dishes stay in the best shape possible.
The tableware brand Infull offers some tips for loading dishes into the dishwasher.
1. Load forks and spoons with handles facing down and forks and bowls facing up.
2. Place knives with the sharp side down in a separate basket to avoid potential scratches
3. Remove cutlery after the last rinse cycle and dry by hand, as hot air can cause corrosion over time.
4. If your dishes are discolored from hard water, use a quality stainless steel polish and follow the instructions.
According to Infull Cutlery, you should not immerse dishes in water for long periods of time and avoid prolonged
contact with tea, coffee, eggs, mayonnaise, vinegar and salt, as the acids and proteins in these foods can corrode dishes.
Avoid using strong cleaners, especially those with citrus scented additives, and do not pour cleaners directly on dishes.
Following these steps will help extend the life of your dishes.