{"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
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 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 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 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 The combination of family and grade are usually sufficient to understand the makeup and advantages of a specific stainless steel alloy. They each have their advantages and their general uses in the world. Gauge is quite simply a measurement of the thickness of a particular type of stainless steel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Family in Stainless Steel Alloys refers to the overall properties of the alloy and are categorized based on the ratio of metals in the alloy. Below, you\u2019ll see the main Families (sometimes called Alloy Groups) that are used in grills, Ferritic Stainless and Austentic Stainless. <\/p>\n\n\n\n More Stainless Means Less Worry<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Ferritic Stainless grades add Chromium to regular steel to create the alloy. Other elements are also added, but Chromium is the main added ingredient. They are resistant to corrosion and oxidation compared to carbon steel while remaining resistant to stress and cracking. Because of the alloy’s atomic structure, ferritic grades are magnetic (more about magnetism later.) While they are corrosion (rust) resistant, they are inferior to austenitic grades. This is because they don’t contain Nickel in the alloy, which has some advantages. Ferritic grades are often used for sinks, decorative trim, and automotive applications, as well as in many gas grills and pellet smokers. While superior to carbon steel for corrosion resistance, they are generally less expensive than austenitic grades and so manufacturers use them to save production costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Austenitic stainless is less common in pellet grills, but far more common in environments like commercial kitchens and industrial laboratories. This is because it has superior corrosion resistance and mechanical properties compared to ferritic grades, though at a higher cost. Stainless in this family has a higher Chromium content and adds Nickel to the alloy. None of the grades in this family are magnetic, usually<\/em>. (More on magnetism later.) There are two categories within this family:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The High Carbon Grade steel sometimes used in food appliances such as outdoor kitchens and high-end grills have a minimum of .04% Carbon and a maximum of .10% Carbon. This higher Carbon helps to keep strength in the steel at extreme temperatures. As well, the Nickel in the alloy lends it an extremely shiny appearance–almost mirror-like–and is generally a little easier to maintain and definitely looks better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stainless steel from the Austenitic family is used extensively in processing equipment in commercial laboratories, and in the food, dairy and beverage industries. They are more expensive to use in manufacturing, but possess excellent strength, corrosion resistance and extreme temperature resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two more families of stainless, but we won’t cover them here as they aren’t used by grill manufacturers. They add additional elements to the alloy like titanium or copper for specific uses like industrial pollution, petroleum, or seawater environments:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are literally dozens of grades of stainless steel used in manufacturing for both commercial and industrial uses. We are going to focus on the two main grades in use (and one other that is much more rare,) and highlight the main differences between them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 430 Grade Stainless<\/strong> Some Pellet Grills that use 430 Grade Stainless:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n 304 Grade Stainless<\/strong>Stainless Steel: An Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Family vs Grade vs Gauge: The 3 Things to Look For<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stainless Steel Families: Which Are Used in Pellet Grills?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ferritic Stainless Steel Family: Lower Cost, Some Resistance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Austenitic Stainless Steel Family: Higher Durability, Higher Cost<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Other Families<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Grades of Stainless Used in Pellet Grills: 304 vs. 430<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The most common type of stainless used in pellet grills, 430 Grade is also the least expensive to use. It is a basic grade from the Ferritic family and is therefore magnetic. These grades are cheaper and more susceptible to rust and corrosion. Yes, stainless steel can rust. While strong and corrosion resistant, 430 Grade stainless doesn’t contain Nickel in the alloy, which means that under certain conditions it will have both rust and corrosion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While more common in high-end gas grills in the $2-5,000 range, 304 Grade stainless is less common in pellet grills. It is commonly used in cookware, appliances, and sinks, however. It is considered a more “outdoor” grade of stainless, as well as a more attractive grade. The most important characteristic of 304 Grade (also called 18\/8 Stainless, referring to its 18% Chromium and 8% Nickel composition) is that is superior in heat, corrosion, and rust resistance due to its Nickel content (which also makes it more expensive.) It is also a little less difficult to machine form than 430 Grade, also adding to its cost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n