How to Buy Quality Stainless Steel Flatware at Bargain Prices

All household items go on sale in cycles each year, with certain items going on sale in the same month each year. March is the month stainless steel flatware (all eating and serving utensils) will go on sale and offer the best deals of the year. Combine a few more insider's secrets with an already reduced priced and you can buy quality stainless steel flatware at a bargain basement price.

Gauge the Grade of Steel

According to Flatware101 , thicker is not always better, but gauge usually determines the weight and price of flatware. Gauge the grade to ensure you are getting what your money's worth. Look on the packaging or on the stainless steel pieces themselves for an '18/10' making. The number 18 represents the percent of chromium and the number 10 represents the amount of nickel in the stainless steel. In order for a product to be called stainless steel (which literally means stains less) it must contain at least 11.5 % chromium. The chromium gives the flatware strength while the nickel helps the product resist acids and gives the product it's trademark silver look.

Spot Check the Forks

Do this simple quality check on the forks before investing in flatware - Pinch a fork at the base of the tines and run your fingertips down to the tine ends. You should feel no burrs or rough spots between the fork tines. Quality stainless steel flatware is consistently smooth and has a consistent thickness among all the utensils. Flatware101 also suggest running your fingers around the edges of the spoons to check for smoothness.

A Weighty Matter

A piece of quality stainless steel flatware should feel substantial and balanced when you hold it in your hand. Hold each utensil in the same way you would if you were eating with it to test for fit, feel, weight and balance.

Knife Blades Should Be Forged

Quality stainless steel knives should be created, or forged, from one continuous piece of steel. The knife blade should be finely serrated and have a slight amount of 'give' to it so it will not break when cutting hard foods. Test for knife quality by grasping a knife at each end and flexing it to test for that needed give-ability.

Sources:

The Best Time To Buy Guide

Flatware 101