The Stainless Steel Story – How It Came to Be the Number One Choice for Commercial Kitchens

Did you know that stainless steel is by far the standard choice for commercial kitchen equipment? This wasn’t always so. It all began with an exciting story in the New York Times, heralding the invention of a non-rusting steel. The invention occurred in Sheffield, England. The steel was said to be “non-rusting, unstainable and untarnishable.” Initially, the material was thought to be great for cutlery, as it would retain its finish even when coming into contact with acidic foods.

Now over a hundred years later that same stainless steel is the choice for commercial kitchens, including galley and shipboard spaces. Because these settings include high activity with lots of abuse in the act of cooking, prepping and preparing, the material used must be almost indestructible. Stainless steel checks all the boxes with its durability and versatility.

How did stainless steel get so tough?