Forks, Spoons and Knives: Foodservice Flatware Buying ...

How to choose the best flatware for your foodservice operation

Like all aspects of your decor - colours, style of chairs, dinnerware and drinkware patterns - flatware also tells your story. Your customers get up close and personal with your cutlery; grabbing, gripping, touching and putting it in their mouths.  Trust us, they will remember if your choice of forks, spoons and dinner knives fell flat.

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But with all the choices, how do you know which one is best for your operation? Our Foodservice Flatware Buying Guide will tell you what you need to know. 

There are four major things to consider: 

Material 
Weight 
Pattern 
Size 

These major considerations put together will determine the last. Cost.  Before you start shopping, have an idea of what your budget can handle because there is a large range in prices.  But rest assured, there is something available that meets your needs without breaking the bank. 

 

Flatware Material 

Silver-plated flatware is most often found in high-end fine dining establishments. It is available at a much higher price point than stainless steel flatware and requires more delicate care. Because it is susceptible to tarnish, it is necessary to polish silverware and it will live a much longer life when hand washed. 

Stainless steel flatware is the most popular option for food service operations, is dishwasher safe, and offers three levels of quality and durability. Stainless steel flatware quality is based on varying quantities of chromium and nickel content. Chrome offers strength while the addition of nickel contributes rust-resistance and a silver sheen or luster. 

You will notice number codes associated with stainless steel flatware that will indicate the chrome and nickel content. 

18/10 flatware is the most durable and often the most expensive style of stainless-steel flatware. The 18/10 indicates 18% chromium and 10% nickel. 18/10 flatware offers top notch rust resistance and a lovely sheen. 

18/8 flatware is your mid-level option, containing 8% nickel. This level of quality offers good protection from rust and corrosion along with a high luster. 

18/0 stainless steel flatware contains no nickel and therefore no protection from corrosion or cleaning. It&#;s the budget friendly alternative and has the bonus of being magnetic; a handy feature for operations that use a magnetic flatware retriever on the trash bins. This selection is often found in fast casual dining and for anyone with a sensitivity to nickel this is the way to go. 

13/0 is conventionally used for knife blades because it holds a sharp edge well, but can rust and bend and therefore requires some extra care.

Forged vs Stamped Flatware

Stainless steel is turned into cutlery using one of two primary methods. Forging or stamping. 

Forged flatware is made from a thick piece of stainless steel that is heated and cut to form each utensil. Stamped flatware skips the heating step and the flatware is cut like a stamp out of the large pieces of stainless steel.

Forged flatware is stronger while stamped flatware is more flexible. 

Weight of your flatware matters

Good quality flatware will have a bit of heft to it. It should be evenly balanced and comfortable to use. It is recommended to get a feel for weight and balance whenever possible. The dinner fork is the most used piece, so make sure to test it out - consider ordering a small amount to get a feel.

It is important to note that heavier utensils denote higher quality in customers&#; minds, so if you&#;re looking to impress the customer while choosing a more budget friendly material, go for the higher weighted option in that category. 

Weight Pros Cons Best Use Medium (Economy)  light easily damaged cafeterias inexpensive bendable institutional easily replace basic patterns fast casual Heavy mid-level durability can be unbalanced fast casual more pattern options can feel awkward catering banquets Extra Heavy strong and durable higher price fine dining

 

 

Flatware Pattern (and Finish) 

Opt for a flatware pattern and finish that suits your style and compliments your other tableware including dinnerware, drinkware, linens and serving accessories.

Classic patterns are traditionally detailed with scrollwork. Choose flatware with curved lines to coordinate tableware with rounded design, or straight lines to match more angular motifs. Classic design is timeless and works for many styles of table settings. 

Modern patterns provide clean lines, and contemporary looking flatware that can complement more elaborate and decorative dishware or reinforce a more stringent style. Modern style is purposeful and progressive in design. 

Decorative patterns make you think of floral and romantic concepts with organic flourishes. 

Rustic patterns are chunky, and can use alternative handle materials such as wood or ceramic. 

Keep in mind that a more lustrous finish on your flatware is fitting with glossy table tops, where a matte or hammered finish complements more rustic wood surfaces. 

Flatware Sizes - yes, even cutlery comes in different sizes 

Flatware is produced as luncheon-size, place-size and continental, and can be thought of as small, medium and large. 

Luncheon-size flatware is the shortest in length and not commonly used today. 

Place-size flatware, also called American size, is approximately half an inch larger than luncheon-size and the most popular choice among restauranteurs. Its size balances well with an average table setting. 

Continental flatware, also called European size, is generally a half-inch longer than place-size flatware and an inch longer than luncheon size. Continental is proportioned for a formal table setting and is slightly heavier than the other two size options. 

 

How much flatware to purchase? 

Decide what flatware you need. Make a list. Review your menu and the utensils used in the serving and consumption of each dish. Also take into consideration your turn-over rate. How fast will the flatware need to be washed and ready for the next use? 

Restaurant flatware is typically sold in packs of 12 or multiples of a dozen and can vary between manufacturers.

A generalized rule of thumb is to order 2-3 pieces of flatware per seat. So if your restaurant seats 50 people, you will want a minimum of 100 forks, 100 spoons etc. It is always recommended to order more than you think you&#;ll need. You might be surprised at how much cutlery ends up accidentally scraped in with the trash. 

Here's a reference chart to help you determine how much of each type of cutlery you need for your foodservice business.  The number is a factor that you can use to determine the number of each you should have on hand.

# of seats x factor = # of pieces to order

For example: 100 seat family restaurant needs to order soup spoons.  The factor from the chart below is 2.

100 seats x 2 = 200 pieces

Remember that pack sizes differ between manufacturers, but are typically sold by the dozen so order to the nearest dozen.  200 pieces = 17 DZ.

FLATWARE ORDERING FACTORS

Item Type Fine Dining Casual Dining Teaspoon 5 4 Dessert/Soup Spoon 2 2 Tablespoon 0.25 0.25 Iced Tea Spoon 1.5 1.5 Demitasse Spoon 2 - Bouillon Spoon 2 2 Dinner Fork 3 3 Salad/Dessert Fork 1.5 1.5 Cocktail Fork 1.5 - Dinner Knife 2 2 Butter Knife 1.5 1

 

When it comes down to it, pick the flatware that suits your industry, aesthetic and budget. There is an overwhelming number of decisions that need to be made operating a foodservice business. Let the choice of flatware be a straightforward one.  

Written by Breanne Baker

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Economy Stainless Steel Cutlery Sets.

Need help shopping for other tableware?  We can help! Check out our Foodservice Dinnerware Buying Guide and our Restaurant Drinkware Buying Guide.

Not all stainless steel flatware is created equally. Close inspection of flatware packaging for dinner knives, forks, and spoons will usually list a numerical identification that might initially puzzle you. The designations 18/10, 18/0, or 13/0 indicate the percentages of chromium and nickel included in the stainless steel alloy. These numbers also give you an accurate way to judge the quality of the flatware, as higher percentages of nickel are generally regarded as superior. Thus, 18/10 flatware is widely understood to be the best quality.

Keep reading to better understand stainless steel grades for flatware so you can best determine the quality of the flatware you are buying.

The Composition of Stainless Steel

The stainless steel used in flatware is an alloy&#; a composite of various types of steel along with additional metals that lend improved appearance and performance. In the case of the stainless steel used in flatware, chromium is added to the blend to create an alloy with good rust resistance, while nickel is added to provide a silver-like shine along with some additional rust resistance. Typically, the higher the percentage of each additional metal, the higher the quality of the stainless steel alloy.

18/10 Stainless Steel

This grade of stainless steel is comprised of 18 percent chromium and 10 percent nickel, with the remaining 72 percent comprised of steel. The alloy composition makes everyday stainless steel cutlery easy to care for, and for the most part, it has some amount of resistance when it comes to pitting or rusting. It is an extremely durable grade of steel and can last for decades when properly cared for.

18/8 Stainless Steel

Not very different than 18/10 or Grade 304 stainless steel, 18/8 typically has a chromium percentage of 18% and a nickel percentage of about 8%. It is resistant to most corrosion but more vulnerable to water and salt wear over time. This grade&#;which can last for 50 years&#;can also withstand more heat than lower-graded stainless steel.

18/0 Stainless Steel

Compared to 18/10 and 18/8, 18/0 cutlery uses Grade 400 stainless steel, which is 18% chromium and 0% nickel. This grade has less longevity and shiny stain resistance than its higher-grade counterparts. Although it is the most vulnerable to corrosion, it is dishwasher safe and a good quality for its less expensive price. Since it is less durable, 18/0 stainless steel will likely only last for a few years.

13/0 Stainless Steel

A 13/0 grade of stainless steel contains 13% chromium and 0% nickel. Similar to 18/0, this grade also has less stain resistance and longevity compared to 18/10 and 18/8. As the least expensive grade of stainless steel, 13/0 flatware is usually found in institutions where quantity is valued over quality (such as some restaurant chains and hospitals.) It is the most suitable for knives, yet bends easily., so expect this grade level to last for a few years.

Flatware Weights

Composition of the stainless steel is not the only criterion for judging the quality of flatware. Within each grade category, flatware is available in various weights:

• Forged: This flatware is the thickest and strongest, made from a single piece of metal with embossing forged into all sides, not just stamped on the surface. This flatware has maximum durability and is often the choice for high-end commercial restaurants. This flatware will be notably heavy in the hand.
• Extra heavy weight: This is a premium grade of flatware that is also often found in restaurants and hotels. Compared to lesser grades, it is quite hard to bend and feels very sturdy.
• Heavy weight: This flatware is also of fairly high quality and is a good choice for durable everyday home use. It is found in many mid-level restaurants.
• Medium weight: Also known as economy weight, this is a fairly lightweight class of flatware that is fairly easily flexed and bent. Institutional settings such as school cafeterias often use this weight. For the home, medium-weight flatware represents the bargain offerings at mass merchant retailers.
  

Thus, the very best cutlery is represented by forged 18/10 stainless steel, while the least expensive bargain flatware would be medium-weight 18/0 or 13/0 stainless steel.

Stainless Steel Flatware Costs

No matter what stainless steel composition is used, flatware costs can vary widely depending on the metal weight used. Some forged 18/0 flatware is more expensive than heavy-weight cutlery using 18/10 stainless steel.

Assuming metal weights and style are comparable, 18/0 cutlery will be at least half the cost of fine 18/10 cutlery. One prominent manufacturer, for example, recently offered a 20-piece (four place settings) set of 18/10 cutlery in a simple, unadorned style for about $140, while the same place setting in 18/0 stainless steel sold for $48. A similar cost range is found in other manufacturers offering the same styles in different grades.

Shopping Tips

• When shopping, take the time to open the flatware package and handle a utensil. An 18/10 spoon has a great "feel" in your hand&#;somewhat heavy but well-balanced&#;and the stainless is gleaming. It should look very elegant. Such quality flatware is worth paying the higher price.
• Give some thought to how many flatware servings to buy so you will have a set that meets your immediate and future needs. Quality flatware is sometimes available in sets and also individually with open stock availability. This should be confirmed if you intend to grow your set over time.
• Signs of low-quality stainless are rough edges, lack of luster, lightweight, and lacking balance when handled. These would also probably have no stainless specifications to confirm metal details. You can still use such flatware, and it might be ideal for starter cutlery; you can upgrade as your budget allows.
• Check the flatware packaging for other product information, especially international or national standards, to ensure this flatware product meets acceptable standards for your area.

Care Tips

It should be noted that even the best stainless steel flatware is subject to occasional pitting and corrosion if not properly cared for. Here are some tips for keeping your stainless steel flatware looking and performing its best:

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Bargain Stainless Steel Cutlery Sets. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

• Dishwasher detergents tend to be harsh to stainless steel flatware and that can sometimes cause blemishes. These can often be removed with a stainless steel cleaner, but pitting, chipping, or rusting is sometimes permanent.
• Immediately after washing, polish your flatware with a microfiber cloth to remove water spots or smudges.
• Presoaking for about 20 minutes before washing will help cutlery washed in the dishwasher get completely clean.