Stainless steel is widely used across food, drink and kitchen products because it’s durable, easy to clean and resistant to everyday wear.
But not all stainless steel is exactly the same.
Two common grades you may come across are 304 stainless steel and 316L stainless steel. Both are commonly used in products designed for food and drink, but there are some differences between them.
At Little Steelware, most of our stainless steel range is made from 304-grade stainless steel, while our Stainless Steel Toddler Drink Bottle is made from 316L stainless steel.
So what’s the difference?
What is 304 stainless steel?
304 stainless steel is one of the most widely used stainless steel grades across kitchenware, food storage and everyday food-contact products.
It offers a strong balance of durability and corrosion resistance, making it well suited to products that are washed, handled and used repeatedly.
That’s why you’ll find 304 stainless steel throughout much of the Little Steelware range, including products such as our baby bottles, lunchboxes, plates, bowls and chopping board.
For everyday food preparation and mealtimes, 304 stainless steel is a practical and durable material choice.
What is 316L stainless steel?
316L stainless steel is another high-quality stainless steel grade, but its composition gives it greater resistance to corrosion, particularly in environments involving moisture, salt and certain acidic substances.
The 'L' stands for low carbon, which helps maintain corrosion resistance during manufacturing and fabrication.
Because of these properties, 316L stainless steel is often chosen for products that may be exposed to liquids frequently or require particularly strong resistance to corrosion.
Is 316L stainless steel better than 304?
Not necessarily - it depends on how the product will be used.
Both 304 and 316L stainless steel can be excellent materials for food and drink products.
For everyday plates, bowls, lunchboxes, chopping boards and feeding products, 304 stainless steel offers excellent durability and corrosion resistance.
316L provides an additional level of corrosion resistance, which can make it particularly useful for products regularly exposed to liquids.
Rather than thinking of one as 'good' and the other as 'bad', it’s more useful to consider which material makes sense for the individual product.
Why does our toddler drink bottle use 316L stainless steel?
Our Stainless Steel Toddler Drink Bottle is one of the few Little Steelware products made from 316L stainless steel rather than our usual 304 grade.
A drink bottle is repeatedly exposed to liquids throughout the day, washed frequently and often carried around in bags, prams and cars.
Using 316L stainless steel provides enhanced corrosion resistance while maintaining the durability and easy-clean qualities that make stainless steel so practical for everyday drinkware.
The bottle also features a double-wall stainless steel body, which helps maintain drink temperature for longer, along with BPA & phthalate-free plastic and silicone components where required for function.
Why do we use 304 stainless steel across most of the range?
304 stainless steel is particularly well suited to everyday family products because it is:
- durable
- resistant to corrosion
- non-porous
- easy to clean
- resistant to absorbing smells and stains
- suitable for repeated everyday use
For products such as plates, bowls, lunchboxes, baby bottles and chopping boards, 304 provides the durability and practicality we want without using a more specialised grade where it isn’t necessary.
Does stainless steel grade affect how you care for a product?
Both 304 and 316L stainless steel are relatively low-maintenance materials.
Regular washing and thorough drying are generally all that’s required for everyday use.
For products with smaller silicone, plastic or moving components, such as drink bottle lids, straws or baby bottle collars; hand washing can sometimes make it easier to clean small crevices thoroughly.
The specific care instructions for each Little Steelware product can be found on its individual product page.
304 vs 316L stainless steel: the simple version
If you’re comparing the two:
304 stainless steel
A durable, corrosion-resistant stainless steel widely used for kitchenware, food storage and everyday feeding products.
316L stainless steel
Also highly durable, with enhanced corrosion resistance that can make it especially suitable for products frequently exposed to liquids.
Both are excellent choices, but it's worth noting the type of material for the type of use.
Stainless steel designed for everyday family life
At Little Steelware, material choices are made based on how each product will actually be used.
Most of our range is crafted from durable 304-grade stainless steel, while our 316L Stainless Steel Toddler Drink Bottle uses a more corrosion-resistant grade specifically suited to everyday drinkware.
The result is a range designed around durability, practical everyday use and materials chosen with purpose.