Where will the cabinet operate?
Record indoor, coastal, wash-down, food-preparation, clinical or chemical-exposure conditions.
MATERIAL SELECTION GUIDE
304 vs 316 stainless steel: which suits your cabinet or component?
304 is commonly considered for general indoor cabinets where the environment and cleaning products are compatible. Review 316 or 316L when chloride exposure is a concern, with the exact grade confirmed for the project. Neither grade is corrosion-proof: compare cleaning chemicals, contact time, temperature, rinsing, drainage and component coverage before deciding.
BUYER DECISION
Specify exposure first, then confirm grade and component coverage.
ASSDA describes 304 as a widely used general-purpose stainless grade and 316 as having better resistance to pitting in chloride environments. That difference does not replace application review. Weld condition, finish, maintenance, temperature and cleaning chemistry also matter, and the buyer must identify any mandatory project requirement.
304 VS 316: QUICK COMPARISON
Match the material review to the component
Use the application to frame the questions, rather than selecting a grade from the product name alone.
| Application | Selection starting point | Information to check |
|---|---|---|
| General indoor cabinets | Consider 304 where the service conditions and cleaning products are compatible. | Cleaner, contact time, finish, welds and which cabinet parts the grade covers. |
| Food-trailer sinks and worktops | Review the actual wet service and chloride exposure; do not assume every sink needs the same grade. | Water and cleaner exposure, rinsing, drainage, seams and sink-to-worktop interfaces. |
| Enclosure trays and feeder supports | Review 316/316L where chloride-related exposure calls for it; confirm the grade for each part. | Cleaning or sanitising product, concentration, temperature, retained moisture and removal access. |
316 offers greater resistance to pitting in chloride environments than 304, but is not immune to corrosion. Read ASSDA's grade-selection explanation.
316 vs 316L: specify the exact grade
316L is the low-carbon variant of 316. ASSDA notes its use in welded components to reduce the risk of sensitisation corrosion, while describing the general corrosion resistance of 316 and 316L as the same. Put the exact grade, material standard and component coverage in the schedule so these requirements can be checked against the material evidence. If these are not yet decided, mark them for review.
Ready to discuss the part? Request a food-trailer component quote or send an enclosure component brief. Rough dimensions, quantity and destination are enough to begin a review.
AUTHORISED PRODUCTION REFERENCES
Real stainless product and workshop photographs
These authorised manufacturing-partner photographs show relevant construction and configuration details. They do not prove the material, thickness, certification or specification of a future order.
Material is only one part of the build
Finish, seams, corners and interfaces must be reviewed together with the nominated stainless grade.
State which components the grade covers
The body, shelves, back, doors and internal fittings should not be assumed to share one grade or thickness.
SPECIFICATION TABLE
What the buyer and supplier need to define
Use this table as a purchasing brief. Final values and inclusions are confirmed only in the approved drawing, written specification and accepted quotation.
304 starting pointGeneral indoor commercial use where the specified environment and cleaning regime are compatible
316 review triggerCoastal, marine or chloride-related exposure, or another requirement identified by the buyer or consultant
Cleaning chemistryChemical name, concentration, contact time, temperature, rinse practice and cleaning frequency
Component coverageBenchtop, cabinet body, back, shelves, doors, drawers, sink bowl and internal components
Finish and fabricationSurface finish, weld treatment, joints, corners, drainage and areas that may retain contamination
VerificationOrdered grade and any required material evidence are written into the approved scope
PROCUREMENT QUESTIONS
Questions to close before approval
These questions expose scope gaps that can change price, fabrication, packing or site responsibility.
What touches the surface?
List food, salt, cleaners, sanitisers, acids, alkalis and any prolonged wet contact.
Which parts need the nominated grade?
Do not assume a 304 or 316 label automatically covers the entire assembly.
Who confirms the final selection?
The buyer and relevant project consultant should identify mandatory site or regulatory requirements before order approval.
QUOTATION INPUTS
Send this information for a useful quotation
Known information can be sent now. Mark unresolved items TBC instead of allowing the supplier to guess.
- Application, room and distance from marine or chloride sources if relevant
- Cleaning and sanitising chemicals, concentration and temperature if known
- Food-contact or other buyer-specified service requirement
- Requested grade and component-by-component coverage
- Finish, weld and cleanability expectations
- Item references, known dimensions and units, configuration and drawing revision if available; total quantity per item
- Required material documentation or inspection scope
- Destination country and city or named port, requested arrival date there (fixed or flexible), and any local consultant notes
BUYER QUESTIONS
Is 316 always better than 304 for a commercial cabinet?
316 generally offers better resistance to pitting in chloride environments, but the suitable choice depends on exposure, temperature, cleaning chemistry, fabrication, finish and maintenance. The project requirement must be reviewed.
Is 304 automatically food grade?
A grade name alone does not confirm the complete cabinet or its suitability. The buyer should identify food-contact use, cleanability and any applicable project requirement; material, component coverage and finish are then confirmed in writing.
Can different components use different grades?
A mixed material scope can be reviewed, but every component and interface must be clearly identified in the drawing, BOM or written specification.
How can the ordered grade be verified?
State the exact grade, material standard, component coverage and drawing revision in the RFQ. Ask how the supplied material records will be matched to the relevant parts or batch. Agree any additional grade-confirmation method, sampling scope and cost before ordering. A material document alone does not verify finished-part dimensions, assembly fit or load capacity. Keep these checks separate in the quotation.
Can a photo or magnet confirm 304 or 316?
No. Appearance does not verify stainless grade, and a magnet alone does not reliably distinguish 304 from 316. Cold working can alter the magnetic response of austenitic stainless steels. Use material documentation and agree a suitable grade-confirmation method where needed, as discussed in ASSDA guidance on testing for grade confirmation.
Does this page certify Tianze cabinets to a local standard?
No. It provides buyer-side selection questions and references. Product and destination requirements must be confirmed for the actual order.
Technical reference points 6 verified external sources
These sources frame buyer-side specification questions. They do not state that a Tianze product is certified or compliant; final requirements are confirmed for each order.
- ISO 15510:2014 — stainless steel chemical compositionsMaterial-grade reference used when the ordered stainless grade is specified and verified.
- ASSDA — testing for grade confirmationGrade-identification guidance on documentation, testing methods and the limits of appearance and magnetic response.
- BSI — BS EN 10204 inspection documentsStandard catalogue describing types of inspection documents; the required document and its scope should be agreed for the order.
- ASSDA — stainless steel grade selectionAustralian industry guidance for selecting grade from corrosion resistance, mechanical properties and fabricability.
- ASSDA — 316: the first step upAustralian industry explanation of 316 and its improved pitting resistance in chloride environments compared with 304.
- FSANZ — Safe Food Australia and Standard 3.2.3 guidanceOfficial food-premises context for material suitability, cleanability and equipment design questions.
PROJECT REVIEW
Send the schedule, drawing or dimensions.
Send your brief to the relevant project review. Include the part or item reference, known dimensions, quantity and destination; mark the material choice TBC if it is not yet decided.
Food-trailer component review →Enclosure component review →
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