Type 304 stainless steel contains nickel and resists rust and pitting better than type 430, which has little or no nickel and costs less. Use 304 where equipment stays wet, such as sinks and bar equipment, and 430 where it stays mostly dry, such as table tops, shelves and drawers.
Shop the equipment in this article: 90 inch three bowl prep and utility sink, underbar drainboard and Work table drawer. Freight is included on every order.
What makes the two grades different
Both are stainless because they contain enough chromium to form a thin protective film on the surface. The difference is nickel. Type 304 is often called 18/8, for roughly 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel. Type 430 has chromium but little or no nickel.
Nickel does three useful things. It improves resistance to corrosion, it makes the steel easier to form into deep shapes such as sink bowls, and it makes 304 non-magnetic in most forms. Type 430 is magnetic.
How each one holds up
- Water. 304 tolerates standing water far better. 430 can show rust spots or pitting if it sits wet day after day.
- Salt and acid. Brine, citrus, tomato and vinegar are harder on 430.
- Sanitizer. Chlorine left to dry on any stainless can pit it, and 430 marks sooner.
- Dry use. In dry storage or on a prep top that is wiped and dried, 430 lasts for years.
Which grade our equipment uses
These are taken from the product pages on this site.
- Sinks and bar equipment: type 304. The 90 inch three bowl prep and utility sink, the floor mop sinks, the mixology station and the underbar drainboard are all 304.
- Work tables: an 18 gauge type 430 top on galvanized legs. This is the standard build for a commercial prep table.
- An all stainless work table, 35 inches high, with stainless legs, feet and undershelf and no galvanized parts, for wetter rooms.
- Two tier wall shelf: 18 gauge type 430.
- Work table drawer: 18 gauge 430.
- One compartment sink with pre-rinse faucet: 18 gauge 304.
The pattern is the one most manufacturers follow: 304 for anything that holds water, 430 for flat dry surfaces.
How to choose by location
- Dish room, commercial sinks, drainboards, bar sinks and ice bins: 304.
- Prep work tables that are wiped down and dried: a 430 top is the normal choice.
- Tables used for brining, curing, raw seafood or constant wet work: look for a 304 top or the all stainless table.
- Dry storage shelving, drawers, undershelves: 430 is fine.
- Coastal locations, outdoor bars and kitchens that hose down nightly: lean toward 304 throughout.
How rust starts on stainless steel
Stainless steel protects itself with a very thin film that forms when chromium meets air. Rust appears when that film is broken and cannot rebuild. The usual causes in a kitchen are these.
- Iron left on the surface from steel wool, wire brushes or carbon steel tools.
- Chlorides, which means salt, brine and chlorine sanitizer, left to dry on the metal.
- Standing water trapped under a mat, a cutting board or a container that never gets moved.
Type 304 tolerates all three for longer than 430, but neither grade is immune. Good habits matter as much as the grade.
Galvanized is a third material
Many tables pair a stainless top with galvanized steel legs and undershelf. Galvanized steel is ordinary steel with a zinc coating. It is strong and economical, and it does well on a dry floor. Under constant mopping or in a wet dish area the coating wears and the steel underneath can rust. That is the reason the all stainless table exists.
The magnet test
Hold a small magnet to a flat panel. If it grabs firmly, the steel is 430 or a similar grade. If it barely holds or falls off, it is most likely 304. Welds and sharply bent edges on 304 can pick up slight magnetism, so test the flat. This helps when you look at used equipment with no label.
Care that applies to both
- Use nylon pads or soft cloths, never steel wool or a carbon steel scraper. They leave iron particles that rust and make the stainless look as if it is failing.
- Wipe with the grain.
- Rinse sanitizer and salt off at close and dry the surface, where the product label allows rinsing.
- Do not leave bleach solution sitting on stainless overnight.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming all stainless is the same grade because it looks the same when new.
- Putting a 430 shelf directly over a dish sink where it is splashed all day.
- Blaming the grade for rust that came from steel wool.
- Confusing gauge with grade. Gauge is thickness. Grade is chemistry.
Buying from Express KitchQuip
Each product page states the grade. Express KitchQuip stainless steel equipment is NSF certified, freight to the 48 contiguous states is included in the price, non-powered items can be returned within 14 days, and lease-to-own financing is offered on items from 500 dollars.
Frequently asked questions
Is 430 stainless steel food safe?
Yes. Type 430 is widely used for food contact surfaces such as table tops. The work tables on our site with 430 tops are NSF certified.
Will 430 stainless steel rust?
It can if it stays wet or is exposed to salt and chlorine without rinsing. Kept clean and dry, it holds up well.
Is 304 stainless steel magnetic?
Mostly not. A magnet that sticks firmly points to 430.
Which grade is better for a sink?
304, because a sink is wet all day. The sinks named in this article are all 304.
Next steps
Browse 304 sinks under commercial sinks and underbar drainboards, and 430 tops under work tables and shelving.
Models in this guide at a glance
The models linked above are listed here with the main points from each product page, so you can compare them side by side before opening the full listings.
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- 304 Stainless Steel: Built with high-quality, rust-resistant steel designed to endure heavy daily use without scratching or corroding.
- NSF Certified Performance: Meets strict public health and safety standards, making it fully approved for commercial kitchen and restaurant environments.
- Efficient 3-Bowl Design: Allows for a streamlined, code-compliant wash-rinse-sanitize workflow.
Express KitchQuip Underbar Drainboard – 20-Gauge Type 304 Stainless Steel with 3″ Backsplash, NSF Certified (model EKQ-UD3S)
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Commercial underbar drainboard in 20-gauge Type 304 stainless steel with a corrugated top, 3″ backsplash and 9.
- Galvanized legs with adjustable bullet feet, H-brace, and a 1″ x 1.
- 5″ IPS drain included.
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Keep essential tools close at hand with this compact under-table stainless steel drawer .
- Built from durable 18-gauge stainless steel, it features smooth-glide rails for easy access and fits neatly beneath prep tables.
- NSF certified and ideal for commercial kitchens, food trucks, and space-saving workstations.
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Commercial stainless steel single bowl sink with pre-rinse faucet—durable, space-efficient, and built for heavy-duty washing and prep tasks in professional kitchens.
Before you order
- Measure the space and every doorway on the delivery path, and compare them with the dimensions on each product page.
- Check the spec sheet for power, gas or water requirements and match them to what your building has.
- Compare capacity with your busiest day rather than your average day.
- Read the warranty terms for the brand before you order.
Delivery, warranty and payment
- Delivery: delivery within the continental US is included in the price on the product page, and freight orders include liftgate service.
- Warranty: each product carries its manufacturer warranty. Terms by brand are on our warranty page.
- Financing: lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is offered on items of $500 and up. See how financing works.
- Quotes: buying for a business and need a written quote? Call +1-877-558-2253 or use our contact page.
Not sure which model fits?
Call +1-877-558-2253 with your space, power supply and daily volume, and we will help you narrow it down.