Stainless steel cups buying guide
Stainless steel cups have become a popular choice for modern people’s daily drinking water due to their durability, heat preservation, and unbreakable properties. However, there are many types of stainless steel cups on the market, and products of different materials, processes and brands have differences in safety, heat preservation performance, etc. As a top drinkware manufacturer, Jarrino will share with you today the stainless steel cup buying guide.
Material classification of stainless steel cups
Stainless steel is an alloy material, mainly composed of iron, chromium, nickel and other metals, with corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance. The following are the common types of stainless steel used to make cups:
(1) 304 stainless steel (food grade)
Composition: Contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel (18/8 stainless steel), with good corrosion resistance and safety.
Features: Meets food contact standards and is widely used in tableware, thermos cups, etc.
Marking: Usually marked with “SUS304” or “18/8”.
(2) 316 stainless steel (medical grade)
Composition: Add 2% molybdenum to 304 to further improve corrosion resistance, especially acid, alkali and salt water resistance.
Features: Safer, commonly used in medical devices and high-end thermos cups.
Marking: Marked with “SUS316” or “18/10”.
(3) 201 stainless steel (industrial grade)
Composition: high manganese content, low nickel content (about 1%), low cost but poor corrosion resistance.
Features: may rust after long-term use, not suitable for acidic beverages (such as lemonade, carbonated beverages).
Risk: some low-quality cups use 201 to impersonate 304, so be careful to distinguish.
Safety of stainless steel cups
(1) Will it cause heavy metal precipitation?
304 and 316 stainless steels will hardly precipitate harmful metals under normal use (holding water, tea, coffee, etc.).
However, if strong acid (such as lemon juice) or strong alkaline liquids are held for a long time, it may accelerate the dissolution of metal ions. It is recommended to choose 316 material or use glass cups instead.
(2) Can it hold carbonated beverages and milk?
Carbonated beverages: It can be used in the short term, but carbon dioxide may accelerate the corrosion of stainless steel. It is not recommended to store it for a long time.
Milk: The protein and minerals in milk may adhere to the wall of the cup and breed bacteria. It is recommended to clean it in time.
(3) Does high temperature release harmful substances?
Stainless steel is resistant to high temperatures (usually -30°C to 400°C) and is safe to hold hot water.
However, avoid dry boiling (such as heating an empty cup). High temperature may damage the surface oxide layer and affect corrosion resistance.
How to choose a high-quality stainless steel cup?
(1) Check the material label
Prefer 304 or 316 stainless steel, and avoid products without labels or “201”.
(2) Check the craftsmanship
The inner wall is smooth: no welding marks, reducing dirt residue.
Sealing: The cup lid is equipped with a silicone ring, which does not leak when inverted.
(3) Insulation performance
Vacuum insulation cups (double-layer vacuum structure) have the best insulation effect, which can keep hot for 6-12 hours and cold for 24 hours.
(4) Brand and certification
Choose well-known brands (such as Thermos, Zojirushi, Tiger, etc.) to ensure that they meet FDA (US) or GB (China) food grade standards.
Cleaning and maintenance of stainless steel cups
Avoid using steel wool: to avoid scratching the surface and reducing corrosion resistance.
Descale regularly: soak with white vinegar or baking soda to remove scale.
Dry in time: long-term moisture can easily breed bacteria, so it should be inverted to dry after cleaning.
Stainless steel cups are ideal drinking tools because of their safety, durability, and environmental protection. When purchasing, look for 304/316 food-grade materials to avoid inferior products. With proper use and maintenance, they can be used safely for a long time. If you need to customize your own brand of stainless steel cups, please contact Jarrino to provide you with the best price.
