Stainless steel tableware and cutlery: a wholesale buying guide
Stainless steel tableware covers everything from hammered serving bowls and tumblers to trays and everyday cutlery. Two pieces can look alike and still differ in grade, thickness and finish. This guide explains the terms you will see in quotations so you can compare offers properly.
What 18/10, 18/8 and 18/0 mean
The numbers describe the alloy. 18/10 contains 18% chromium and 10% nickel, 18/8 contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel, and 18/0 contains 18% chromium and no nickel.1
- Chromium gives stainless steel its resistance to rust and corrosion.1
- Nickel adds corrosion resistance and shine, which is why 18/10 is the premium choice for fine dining and 18/8 a more affordable option with good durability.1
- 18/0 is the affordable option for dining halls and fast casual service. It is magnetic, which helps kitchens that use magnetic cutlery retrievers.1
The grade does not tell you the thickness of a piece. Thickness, or gauge, is what determines its weight.1
Finishes
- Mirror or polished: a bright, reflective surface. It looks the most formal and shows fingerprints and fine scratches more easily.
- Satin or brushed: fine parallel lines give a softer, matte look. Many buyers choose it for everyday use because small marks are less noticeable.
- Hammered: a dimpled surface that catches the light. It is popular for serving bowls, plates, trays and tumblers, and for gift and display pieces.
- Coloured or coated: gold, black and other colours are usually a coating on the steel. Ask how the coating should be washed before you buy it in quantity.
Weight and thickness
Cutlery is usually sold by weight class. Medium weight is the lightest and is common in cafeterias, schools and other institutional settings; heavy weight is harder to bend and presents better; extra heavy weight feels the sturdiest and is typical of finer restaurants and hotels.1
For plates, trays and bowls, ask for samples, or the thickness of each item, and compare them side by side. Two trays of the same size can feel very different in the hand.
Which pieces suit which buyer
- Shops and discount stores: tumblers, serving bowls, trays, plates and cutlery sets in a few price levels.
- Restaurants and hotels: cutlery in one consistent pattern, plus trays and serving bowls.
- Caterers and canteens: durable cutlery, trays, ladles and serving bowls that can be replaced with the same item later.
Questions to ask before you order
- What grade and finish is each item?
- What is the thickness or weight class?
- How many pieces come in each carton?
- Will the same pattern be available when I reorder?
- What care guidance applies, especially for coloured or coated pieces?
FAMES supplies stainless steel tableware from Dubai. We confirm the specification of each item in your quotation.
Sources
- WebstaurantStore: Flatware buying guide: stainless steel grades
Buying tableware wholesale? Send us the items and quantities you need and we reply with a quotation.
