Stainless steel has become the ally of many industries. Mainly because of its characteristics that allow it to have great versatility to adapt to the different needs of human beings. This material has made its way into one of the most competitive and necessary industries, the food industry. It uses this alloy in most of its manufacturing processes to bring its products to the comfort of our homes. Currently, there is no kitchen, industrial or domestic, that does not have utensils or products made with this material. The reason for this is very simple. There is no better metal for contact with food than this.
Why use stainless steel in the food industry?
To truly understand why stainless steel is the best material for this industry, it is necessary to understand the importance of complying with the multiple food quality or safety standards. These aim to provide consumers with quality products, by taking care of each of the procedures. At each stage, from preparation, production, transport, storage and preservation, it is essential to ensure that there is no contamination when handling each ingredient or raw material. For this reason, they use a material that allows compliance with these standards and has outstanding durability. This is where stainless steel comes in, which has become the ally of all food and utensil manufacturers.
Main benefits of stainless steel in the food industry
- Its chemical structure makes it very resistant to corrosion, which gives it a long life span.
- It has a flat surface that makes it easy to handle and compact.
- Excellent resistance to sudden thermal changes.
- This material is easy to clean and is resistant to fibers without the material being damaged or altered, thus allowing the elimination of various bacteria.
- Resistant to shocks and any type of mechanical tension.
- There is no need to cover it with any protector that can easily degrade.
Importance of this material for different types of food
Currently, stainless steel plays a fundamental role in this industry where processes require strict hygiene measures at each of their stages. This material guarantees excellent food preservation, even for those that can be very difficult to keep in good condition, such as chocolate or tomato sauce.
Let's use the example of tomatoes to give an idea of the importance of this alloy in food production. Companies that use this vegetable to process sauces, purees, drinks, among other products. Use stainless steel in their production lines to ensure hygiene and quality of the product. Besides, these types of items tend to be extremely acidic, something that this metal can resist perfectly.
What is the best steel for food?
Now, it is important to choose the alloy that is suitable for contact with food or food products. However, there is no specific limit regarding its chemical structure, so the correct choice of steel depends a lot on environmental conditions. In most companies dedicated to this sector, austenitics are used. However, if there is a higher concentration of salt (which can cause corrosion and greater deterioration), duplex steels are used.
In other words, the type of steel to be used depends largely on the application it is going to have. However, each alloy has high resistance, durability and elasticity, if you compare this material with other metals. For this reason, it can be used in the manufacture of industrial or domestic items. To guarantee efficiency and healthiness in production processes, stainless steel 304 and 316 are used, which have an addition of chromium.
1. Property of stainless steel 304: This material contains up to 24% chromium and other elements such as nickel, carbon and manganese. This gives it anti-corrosive properties that allow the production or manufacture of a large number of utensils.
2. Characteristics of stainless steel 316: This alloy is given 3% molybdenum to make it resistant to chloride. This allows for smoother finishes, which are perfect for low-salt recipes or for the preparation of all kinds of meats.
Are you interested in getting the best stainless steel alloy for your company? Come to Ulbrinox! We understand the importance of this material for different industries and we are one of the main distributors in Mexico. We are proud to provide the best materials and the highest quality on the market. Request a quote on our website, we will give you the personalized attention you need.
