{"id":913,"date":"2019-08-02T19:44:50","date_gmt":"2019-08-02T23:44:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pelletgrillreviews.com\/?p=913"},"modified":"2020-12-02T12:28:00","modified_gmt":"2020-12-02T17:28:00","slug":"stainless-steel-vs-carbon-steel-in-pellet-grills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pelletgrillreviews.com\/stainless-steel-vs-carbon-steel-in-pellet-grills\/","title":{"rendered":"Stainless Steel vs Carbon Steel in Pellet Grills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The Bottom Line: 304 Stainless steel is superior to 430 Stainless. No stainless is completely rust-proof, but there are certain grades of stainless that are better suited to the high-heat and elements that pellet grills are subjected to. Carbon Steel is useful in non-exposed areas, but is extremely prone to rust.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Carbon Steel in Grills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let’s start with the basics by explaining carbon steel, the single most common material used in the manufacture of pellet grills today. Basically, carbon steel is raw steel<\/a> that has had carbon added to it in order to make it stiffer and stronger. This is why you often see carbon steel in knives. Strength and stiffness means that it’s easier to create a fine edge on a knife, and one that will last. The best knives, therefore, are made from steel with a higher carbon content. For grill manufacturing, however, carbon is used for strength: so that a grill grate doesn’t sag, or a bolt doesn’t round when tightened. Carbon steel is stronger and more durable than stainless steel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, all normal steel, carbon steel included, is highly susceptible to rust and corrosion. Steel will rust, period. Even moisture vapor in the air will begin the process. It is, however, a much more inexpensive material to use than stainless steel, so many non-exposed parts in a grill are made of carbon steel. Manufacturers may coat their steel–in powder coating or porcelain, for instance–to try and protect exposed metal. But even coatings can chip, be ground away (think about steel brushes on your grill grates) and then begin to rust. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Rust
Extreme rust in the body of a pellet grill<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Stainless steel is far more preferable to carbon steel as a grill material, especially in parts exposed to the outdoor elements. But the insides are also subject to abuse: moisture from meat being evaporated, fatty acids and smoke attacking the metal, abrasive cleaning. So, if you can afford to, always get the grill with the most stainless steel that you possibly can. It will make a difference in the life of your grill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All stainless steel isn’t the same, however, and that is the reason for this deep-dive into steel manufacturing materials. You need to know the what and the why behind the metals used in your pellet grills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stainless Steel: An Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It’s worth repeating here: All stainless steel isn\u2019t the same. And all stainless steel isn\u2019t totally stain- and rust-free, nor is it bomb-proof. To understand the different types of stainless being used today in pellet grills, it\u2019s important to first understand what makes up these various types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stainless steel isn\u2019t a single alloy. It is a combination of various metals combined to produce a product with a specific set of benefits. There are almost endless varieties of stainless steel being used in manufacturing today. Each type and grade has its specific characteristics and specific uses, based on its ingredients and properties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For our explanation, we’ll focus on three characteristics of stainless steel that cause them to perform differently in grills, and then on the two primary grades of stainless steel currently in use: 304 <\/strong>and 430<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Family vs Grade vs Gauge: The 3 Things to Look For<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stainless has three main things to look for, often found on material labeling for it, but sometimes not specified by grill manufacturers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n