Is stainless steel magnetic?
August 12, 2018
Grillrost.com
Grillwissen | Produkte
Grillwissen | Produkte
High-quality grill grates and grill accessories are usually made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel. But is high-quality stainless steel also magnetic? And does the magnetic test on the grill grate indicate the quality of the material?
In contrast to chrome-plated or cast iron grill grates, stainless steel is rustproof. Stainless steel also impresses with the fact that this material is food-safe and therefore poses no health risks.
Despite the many advantages of stainless steel, most grill grates are chrome-plated. The reason for this is that corrosion-resistant stainless steel is in a higher price segment and manufacturers save on the most important part of the barbecue.
However, stainless steel is the only material that is free from health risks and therefore price should not be the only deciding factor here.
That's why we at Grillrost.com offer matching grill grates made of high-quality stainless steel for your barbecue! Investing in high-quality stainless steel is always worthwhile, as grill grates and grill accessories made of stainless steel are very durable and are therefore often passed on.
‘I have now decided in favour of stainless steel, but how do I know that the manufacturer really uses this material?’
This opinion is a myth and is not supported by experts!
So why is stainless steel sometimes strongly magnetic and sometimes only slightly?
Austenitic and ferritic steel.
The majority of stainless steel grades consist of austenitic alloys and this material is only slightly magnetic. Ferritic alloys, on the other hand, contain significantly less non-magnetic carbon than austenitic steel and therefore these alloys are highly magnetisable.
Austenitic and ferritic? Which is the better material for my grill?
The best-known representative of austenitic steels is the stainless steel grade with the material number 1.4301 and the designation V2A. This alloy is slightly magnetic.
Another very important alloy for the production of grill grates and grill accessories is the material grade with the material number 1.4016. This stainless steel grade is highly magnetic.
So why is stainless steel sometimes strongly magnetic and sometimes only slightly?
This alloy is mainly used in the chemical and food industry, as this grade is highly resistant to corrosion. Stainless steel grade V2A warps slightly when exposed to very high temperatures. The reason for this is the lower thermal conductivity, which leads to a build-up of heat in the material. To prevent warping, a grill grate or grill plate should therefore never be heated on one side. It is also a good idea to burn in the grill rack or grill plate the first time you use it.
Properties of the magnetic stainless steel with the number 1.4016
Stainless steel grade 1.4016 contains 16 to 18 per cent chromium and is therefore also food-safe and rustproof.
A major advantage of this magnetic stainless steel grade is its high thermal conductivity. When grilling, very high heat is generated in places, but this magnetic stainless steel grade can withstand this very well.
Products made from 1.4016 therefore do not warp as there is no heat build-up in the material.
So magnetic stainless steel is inferior?
Both magnetic and only slightly magnetic stainless steel grades have their advantages. An alloy is therefore selected depending on the area of application.
We at Grillrost.com use the slightly magnetic material V2A for most of our products. However, products that are susceptible to warping are manufactured by us from magnetic stainless steel with the number 1.4016.
The magnetic test therefore makes no statement about the quality of a stainless steel grade. It merely provides an indication of the composition of the alloy. Both magnetic and slightly magnetic stainless steel is rustproof and food-safe.
How do I know if my grill grate is made of stainless steel?
