Flatware is a term that is used to group together different utensils, including spoons, forks, and knives , that are used at the table for eating and serving rather than as kitchen tools. Flatware is most commonly made with stainless steel, which is best for everyday use since it’s affordable, durable, and easy to care for. Flatware can also be made of sterling silver, which is where the term silverware comes from. Silverware is not recommended for commercial use due to its level of high maintenance and high price tag.
Keep in mind that the grades of stainless steel do not refer to the thickness (or gauge) of the flatware, which is what determines the weight. The higher the gauge, the thicker / heavier the flatware is.
18/10 flatware is the best quality stainless steel flatware. Typically of the extra heavy weight variety, 18/10 flatware feels sturdy in the hand, and it is more difficult to bend, making it a long-lasting flatware choice. Plus, the 10 percent nickel gives it more of a shiny luster and enhanced corrosion protection.
18/0 stainless steel has 0% nickel, making it less durable, shiny, and resistant to corrosion than 18/10 stainless steel. 18/0 stainless steel flatware is an affordable option that’s suitable for dining halls or fast casual restaurants where there is a higher risk of flatware being lost or stolen.
18/10 stainless steel is made with 2% more nickel than 18/8 stainless steel, making it more durable and more resistant to bending as well as more resistant to corrosion. 18/10 stainless steel flatware also has more of a luster and shine than 18/8, making it the premium choice of flatware for fine dining establishments . 18/8 stainless steel flatware is a more affordable option while still delivering on durability and corrosion resistance.
13/0 stainless steel contains 13% chromium and 0% nickel. Most dinner and dessert knives are made with 13/0 stainless steel. This steel is ideal for blade forging to produce a sharp cutting surface, while still maintaining rust- and corrosion-resistant properties.
18/0 stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 0% nickel. 18/0 flatware is magnetic, which makes it a good choice if you use magnetic flatware retrievers at your business.
There are four different grades of stainless steel flatware: 18/0, 18/8, 18/10, and 13/0. These designations refer to the percentages of chromium and nickel in the stainless steel alloy. Chromium is used in stainless steel to provide durability as well as resistance to rust and corrosion, while nickel is used to give flatware its luster.
Restaurant flatware comes in four different weights: forged, extra-heavy, heavy, and medium weight. Read on to learn about each flatware weight so you can decide which is best for your business.
Forged flatware is the thickest and strongest type of flatware. It is made from a single piece of thick stainless steel which creates the pattern on all sides of the handle rather than just stamped on the top. It is extremely durable and built to withstand any commercial environment, while also fitting in well with upscale dining.
As our premium grade of flatware, extra heavy weight flatware exudes a level of quality that you will see at most finer restaurants and hotels. It feels very sturdy in your hand and is very difficult to bend, compared to medium or even heavy weight flatware.
Heavy weight flatware is more durable than medium weight flatware, not easily bent, and makes for a nice presentation. As a definitive step-up in quality from medium weight, it is commonly used in fast-casual dining establishments and many other mid-level eateries.
Medium weight flatware is the lightest flatware that we carry. This is primarily called medium weight flatware in the industry, but it can also be called economy weight and is commonly sought by the value-minded buyer. Medium weight flatware is often bendable in your hand and commonly found in cafeterias, schools, and other institutional settings.
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