A frequent question when choosing your new barbecue grill grid is stainless steel quality.

 There are more than 150 kinds of stainless steel, and it is very easy to be confused. All types of stainless steel are made of iron and contain at least 10% chromium, which makes it rust resistant. They contain other elements, such as nickel, which can affect electrical resistance, durability, appearance, and magnetism.

 There is a saying in the barbecue world that stainless steel is magnetic and therefore not good at resisting high temperatures. While it is easy to compare products using just these points, you do need to consider more before deciding on the stainless steel grade.

 What are the two most common types of stainless steel for BBQ GRILL GRID?

 The two most common stainless steel items for BBQ grill grid are austenite and ferrite.

304 stainless steel 

SUS 304 is the most common austenitic steel, the alloy contains more nickel and less steel. The steel is of higher quality and of higher cost. However, only the most expensive grill are used exclusively for the 304, as most grill grid use more than two types of steel.

 304 Stainless steel is a widely used steel, especially for barbecue gril grid. It is highly used in a high-end grill, and is not magnetic. It is now the main material for the barbecue grill grid. The mixture consists of 18% chromium, 8% to 10%, nickel, and 0.008% maximum carbon content. It is very resistant to external elements and high-temperature cooking. All offered at cheap prices and a great looks.

443 stainless steel 

 443 Stainless steel is rare, but notorious in the barbecue world. It is the most rust-resistant stainless steel type and, contrary to generally thought, it is magnetic because of its high chromium content. This steel has a high chromium content, but is mainly titanium. Titanium ensures stability upon exposure to high temperatures. This particular mixture is better resistant to external elements such as humidity, salt, and rust.

Although most ferrite alloys cannot compete with an austenite alloy in terms of durability, the high chromium content in 443 makes it at least as corrosion-resistant as in 304. Furthermore, the 443 expands with even less heat than does the 304, which means less pressure and less warping. Keep in mind that the 443 is magnetic due to its high chromium content. However, this does not mean that it is a low-quality stainless steel! Even with the magnets on it, chromium is one of the most corrosion-resistant metals.

430 stainless steel 

The most common ferric body steel, called the 430, is less durable and more difficult to weld properly. The 430 contains more steel and is magnetic.

430 Stainless steel is commonly used as a finish material for barbecue doors and panels. Its high-speed rail content makes it susceptible to high temperatures. This is because the iron expands and tends to rust easily. This is a high quality mixture, but is not applied to water tanks or burners.

The biggest problem with cheap grill grid is that they often use very thin 430 stainless steel. These light machines are beautiful and shiny on the showroom floor, but vulnerable to barbecue grill grid needs. They quickly produce small stress breaks, which can cause corrosion and performance degradation. They also quickly lose their luster and need polishing to maintain its sexy showroom appearance.

The 430 is not as durable as the 304 and more difficult to weld correctly.

 201 stainless steel

The 201 Stainless steel  is used for building super high-end barbecue ovens. Since nickel has been replaced by nitrogen, the mixture has an aesthetic, economical and durable appearance. Nitrogen, on the other hand, is less rust-resistant than nickel, which is why it is not heavily used. The stainless steel is not magnetic, although it is less durable and contains chromium.

Some grill grid also use the recent very popular 201 and 202 stainless steel. Although they are austenitic alloys, such as the 304, these alloys are not comparable to the 304 in terms of durability and corrosion resistance. They were created to reduce the cost of austenitic alloys by replacing most of the nickel with manganese or nitrogen.

According to the father of the barbecue, the problem is that neither manganese nor nitrogen are as corrosion resistant as nickel. Thus, although these alloys are not magnetic, they are less tolerant to the elements than either 304 or 443. The 201 / 202 is not very corrosion-resistant, especially at high temperatures, but the low cost makes it become more commonly used. Don't let the magnet trick you out there.

Final suggestion 

Magnetic property does not represent the quality of the stainless steel used. However, it is best to understand the type of alloy used. For example, we recommend 304 or 443 stainless steel to produce grill grid instead of 430 for contacting hot parts.