There are many grades of stainless steel available, each offering their own unique characteristics for specific applications. However, the two most common grades are 304 and 430.
304 is recommended for use in the commercial kitchen environment. Die-Pat prides itself on the quality of materials used in all its products.
This combination of properties leads to the grade being used for a wide range of applications including:
304 is more expensive than 430 due to the chemical composition, mainly the inclusion of nickel.
The presence of nickel makes 304 more corrosion resistant; it also makes it much easier to press and draw. The absence of nickel in 430 grade means the stainless steel will most likely crack or fail completely compared to pressing 304.
304 grade stainless steel is also known as food grade stainless steel.