Stainless steel buyer guide
SS 304 vs SS 202 vs SS 430 for Kitchenware
Three grades make up most stainless steel houseware made in India. Choosing the wrong one, or receiving a substitute, is the root cause of many rust complaints and returns. This guide compares them for buyers.
SS 304: the default for food contact
SS 304 (18/8) is an austenitic grade with about 18% chromium and 8% nickel. It is the usual choice for bowls, containers, cookware bodies, drinkware and quality flatware because of its corrosion resistance and formability in deep drawing.
Its limitation is cost: nickel prices move the price of 304 more than other grades.
SS 202 (and 201): lower cost, lower corrosion resistance
SS 201/202 replace part of the nickel with manganese and nitrogen. They form well and look similar to 304 when new, which is why they are sometimes substituted.
They are less resistant to pitting and staining, especially with salt, acidic foods and dishwashers. Use them only where the buyer knowingly accepts the trade-off, and never sell them as 304.
SS 430: magnetic and economical
SS 430 is a ferritic grade with about 16–18% chromium and almost no nickel. It is magnetic, which makes it useful for induction cookware bases, and it is used for economy flatware (18/0) and some trays and kitchen tools.
It is less formable than 304 for deep shapes and less corrosion resistant in wet, salty conditions.
Applications at a glance
Containers, tiffins, bowls, drinkware and premium flatware: SS 304. Induction bases and economy flatware: SS 430. Price-led decorative or low-moisture items: SS 201/202, if the buyer accepts the trade-off and the packaging does not claim 304.
Food-contact considerations
In the EU and Great Britain, food-contact materials must meet the safety and traceability requirements of Regulation (EC) 1935/2004. There is no harmonised EU measure specific to metals, so labs commonly use the Council of Europe technical guide on metals and alloys (CM/Res(2013)9) for release limits. In Germany, buyers also specify LFGB-based tests.
In the US, food-contact articles must not adulterate food under the FD&C Act. Buyers hold the grade evidence and coating or handle documentation.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell SS 304 from SS 202?
Not by eye or with a magnet, as both are largely non-magnetic. Use the mill certificate plus an XRF analyser reading or lab analysis, which shows the nickel and manganese content.
Is SS 430 safe for food?
SS 430 is widely used for food-contact items such as flatware. Its limitation is corrosion resistance, not safety. Food-contact compliance still depends on testing to your market's rules.
Why is SS 202 cheaper?
It uses manganese and nitrogen in place of much of the nickel, and nickel is the most expensive alloying element.
Official sources
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