
At 304, we offer on-site welding services with our mobile repair unit- including after hours emergencies. Whether you're remodeling, repairing damage, or starting from scratch, 304 Kitchen Solutions can make your visions a reality.

We listen to your ideas, and offer viable and creative solutions to all of your needs; from identifying bottlenecks in production, to commercial kitchen equipment fabrication- we identify ways to improve your kitchen’s dynamic to help streamline productivity.

With decades of experience under our belt, we can give you special attention and insight into improving the operational dynamics that the distinctive qualities of your establishment provide. Let us bring your kitchen to its full capability and potential.
-Steve Jobs
First things first, I always say- so let's start with grade. 201.440c. 304- what these numbers mean will no longer mystify you when grade comes into play. Knowing how to differentiate between grades of steel is one of the most important things to know to select the perfect grade for your project.
The gauge of stainless steel refers to the thickness, and most everyone would think when it comes to steel, thicker would be better. Not so. Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t the case. With ordinary scales, a lower number would usually mean a smaller amount, but unlike traditional scales, with stainless steel a smaller number indicates a thicker sheet of metal. Pretty amazing, right? Take a look at some examples to get a better idea.
Exposure to the elements is unavoidable, and along with exposure comes oxidation. In laymen terms, plain old intrusive rust. A scaly, brittle, devouring- wait, it sounds like a monster, doesn't it? Well, it is. Nobody likes it, either. Rust can definitely be a monster to tackle, but we can help you out with the rust- um, I mean the rest. Get in the know when it comes to preventing, treating, and avoiding it.
There are a multitude of cleaners out there- some of which can be extremely harmful to the glowing shine of your stainless steel. Fortunately, we've found some of the best methods there are to having lustrous, glowing stainless steel for years to come.
Find out why some cleaning products on the market today could be harmful or even damage your stainless steel. Some alloys can suffer from discoloration and pitting corrosion; and this occurs frequently when exposed to high amounts of chlorides. Saltwater is the most common culprit. We've gathered up an assortment of some of the most criminal chemical offenders out there.
We can't avoid it. Nature. We use the outdoors and outdoor facilities and equipment for all sorts of things; weddings, anniversaries, birthdays- but those are just the easy ones. Check out a smattering of the countless applications, capabilities, and attractions of using stainless steel in your outdoor projects.
You need an efficient kitchen layout from the start. Over the years, we've compiled quite a few ideas and tips to stay well-organized without causing strains on mobility. An efficient, prioritized layout ensures an easy flow of order. Our technique in approach will show you how to optimize your back of house processes, and implement them so as to ensure minimal waste, streamlined production outcomes, and maximize profits.
Even if you can’t move, or change, some of the more permanent aspects- you can still achieve an orderly, structured, back of house that excels in function, ease of access, and overall productivity. We'll guide you through the steps to an orderly, structured Back Of House, that excels in function, ease of access, and overall productivity- which is just the way
you're going to love it!
Equipping each work area with specific tools and equipment needed is a vital requirement in the food service & hospitality Industry. When properly equipped, they're practically guaranteed to promote performance and flow of order in your kitchen. Let us contemporize your kitchen, and help it adapt to your modern needs.
'Grade' is what we say when we're talking about the quality, temperature resistance, and durability of the stainless steel itself. The numbers associated with the grade, such as 18/8, 18 10, and 18/0, are used to identify the composition, and refer to the amounts of chromium and nickel in the product respectively.
The two most commonly used are 18/10 and 18/8- also known as 300 Series, or 304 grade stainless steel, although there are five types of stainless steel on the market today.
The first number is the amount of chromium, and the second number is the amount of nickel,
18/8 stainless is 18% chromium, and 8% nickel. 18/0 stainless has a really low amount of nickel with just 0.75%. It contains between 16 -24% chromium, up to 35% nickel, at least 50% iron and no more than 0.8% carbon.
Chromium binds oxygen to the surface of the product to protect it from oxidation- or rust. The nickel also enhances the corrosion resistance of the steel- so, a higher nickel content means a higher resistance to corrosion, perfect for food prep and dining, because of its natural resistance to the various acids found in foods like fruit, vegetables, meat, and dairy products.
In modern kitchens today, stainless steel is a common material because of its natural ability to protect itself. That's right, stainless steel creates its own protective surface to prevent erosion. The chromium in stainless steel reacts very quickly with oxygen, just like iron. The difference is, only a very fine layer of chromium will oxidize-just a diameter of a couple molecules across.
This incredibly thin, and highly durable barrier is non-reactive, meaning surfaces won't transfer or react further with other materials, and unwanted chemicals won't leech into your food. Also, it's self renewing, so if that protective layer is damaged or removed, it forms it's own new barrier from the oxygen in the air.


Please reach us at paul@304kitchensolutions.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Occasionally, magnets won’t stick to the new refrigerator, and there goes your pizza delivery system. Realistically, hands-on research at an unnamed big box store has proven to this writer that about 9 out of 10 stainless steel refrigerators will hold your beloved magnet collection. The reason for this is that some appliances have a thin layer of stainless steel over a different type of magnetic metal, it could be painted with silver metallic, or it could even be running around disguised as stainless steel, but is truly made of titanium. All joking aside, your best bet would be to take a handful of magnets with you if you’re shopping for a new appliance and your magnets must stay the course. SAE 304 is the most commonly used grade of austenitic steel. It is typically composed of 18% chromium and 8% nickel (with some manganese for good measure). Because of this composition, you will sometimes see this referred to as 18/8 steel. It is highly corrosion resistant, but it is non-magnetic.
Basically, the term stainless steel is a reference to the alloys tendency to resist rust under normal conditions. A chemical reaction between stainless steel elements and oxygen and water create a microscopic layer of rust- invisible to the naked eye. It's this layer that acts as a barrier between the chromium in the actual surface and the water and oxygen molecules in the air.
Stainless steel has been in use for over 100 years! It was invented at the end of WWII by a man named Harry Brearly. According to the British Stainless Steel Society, the invention was discovered while trying to find a solution to the inner barrels of British-made rifles rusting on their internal surfaces. It has revolutionized the modern world, in every aspect of modern life. It's use is applied in every industrial factory from healthcare products and supplies, to catering to automobile manufacture.
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Sanitary Welding Standards
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Why Stainless Matters
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Stainless Steel Structures
https://www.stainless-structurals.com/blog/
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https://www.metalcraftspinning.com/blog/
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USDA Standards and Regulation
Agricultural-Metals-Fabrication.pdf
Welding Symbols Chart
Food Protection and Safety
Dairy Equipment Review and Guidelines
Stainless Steel Architecture
STRUCTURE magazine | Architecturally Expressive Structural Steel and Stainless Steel
More Information On Stainless Steel
https://www.lenntech.com/stainless-steel.htm
Alloy Resources- Stainless vs. Alloy
https://www.xometry.com/resources/materials/alloy-steel-vs-stainless-steel/
Safety Information Sheet
Galvanic Corrosion:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/galvanic-corrosion
Metal Fabrication:
Heavy Metals and the Environment
National Library of Medicine:
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