As an important equipment for outdoor activities, the material of the bbq grill directly affects the user experience. In the existing market, corten steel bbq grills and stainless steel bbq grills occupy an important position. They each have unique advantages. How should we choose? This article will explore the characteristics of these two bbq grills in detail to help you choose the product that suits you best.
What Is Weathering Steel?
コールテン鋼, also known as weathering steel, is a special low-alloy high-strength steel. Its biggest feature is its excellent weather resistance. A uniform and dense rust layer will form on the surface when it is exposed to the air at the beginning. This “protective rust” will not only not continue to corrode the internal material, but will play a rust-proof role.
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Stainless steel is a chromium-based alloy steel that prevents oxidation and corrosion by forming a passivation layer. According to the specific use, stainless steel is divided into many types, among which 304 and 316 stainless steel are the most common materials in barbecue grills.
Material Performance Comparison:
1.Corrosion Resistance:
Weathering steel:
- Weathering steel protects the inner metal by forming a stable rust layer, which is suitable for long-term exposure to the atmosphere.
- In high humidity or high salt environments (such as the seaside), the rust layer may develop excessively and require regular maintenance.
Stainless steel:
- Stainless steel relies on the passivation layer formed by chromium and nickel to resist oxidation and corrosion.
- 316 stainless steel performs better in high-salt environments, while 304 stainless steel is stable in general environments.
Overall: Weathering steel is suitable for most natural environments, and stainless steel is more suitable for high humidity and high salt environments.
2.High Temperature Resistance:
Weathering steel:
- Under high temperature conditions, weathering steel is stable and not easy to deform or lose strength.
Stainless steel:
- Stainless steel also has good high temperature resistance, but surface discoloration may occur under ultra-high temperature conditions, and additional cleaning is required to restore the gloss.
Overall: Both are suitable for barbecue grills, but weathering steel performs better in frequent high-temperature use.
3.Strength And Stability:
Weathering steel:
- High strength, good impact resistance, suitable for making large or fixed barbecue grills.
Stainless steel:
- Also has high strength, but the design of thin-walled structure may lead to local deformation risk.
Overall: Weathering steel has a slight advantage in structural stability. If it needs to bear weight for a long time or be fixedly installed, weathering steel performs better; for light needs, stainless steel is a better choice.
User Experience Comparison:
1.Cleaning And Maintenance:
Corten steel barbecue grill: The rust layer formed naturally on the surface does not require additional cleaning, but if the user pursues a completely rust-free effect, a special oxide layer repair agent can be used.
Stainless steel barbecue grill: The surface of stainless steel is smooth and easy to clean, but special cleaning agents are required to remove fingerprints, oil stains and other traces, especially 304 stainless steel may require more frequent maintenance.
Conclusion: Corten steel performs better in terms of maintenance-free, while stainless steel is suitable for users who need high cleanliness.
2.Weight And Portability:
Corten steel bbq grill: The density and strength of weathering steel are usually higher than those of stainless steel, so the grill made of it is thicker and heavier overall, suitable for long-term placement in a fixed position. It has good stability and is not easily blown down by the wind, so it is suitable for outdoor places such as courtyards and terraces. (To improve this, corten steel grills can be installed with wheels and have brakes, so that the grill can be moved to any position)
Stainless steel bbq grill: Stainless steel grills are lighter in structure, easy to carry and move, and some grills are foldable, which is more convenient to use and suitable for outdoor camping and picnics.
Conclusion: If you need to move the grill, stainless steel is a better choice; although corten steel is heavier, if it is installed with wheels, it can also achieve the effect of moving at will.
3.Thermal Conductivity:
Corten steel grill: Due to the special material of weathering steel, its thermal conductivity is relatively poor, and it may take longer to preheat to achieve the ideal barbecue effect.
Stainless steel grill: Stainless steel has good thermal conductivity and can be heated quickly and evenly, which is suitable for fast barbecue needs.
4.Service Life:
Corten steel bbq grill: The service life is more than 15 years under natural conditions, and no additional maintenance is required.
Stainless steel bbq grill: The service life is between 10-20 years, but regular maintenance is required to maintain performance.
Conclusion: In the long run, weathering steel is more cost-effective, while stainless steel is more suitable for users with limited short-term budgets.
Maintenance Of Corten Steel Grills And Stainless Steel Grills:
√ Maintenance of corten steel bbq grill
- No need for excessive maintenance: The rust layer of corten steel grills can protect the steel itself, and usually no excessive maintenance is required. Just need to regularly clean the dust and debris on the surface.
- Avoid excessive cleaning: Avoid frequent cleaning with high-strength detergents or wire brushes to prevent damage to its natural rust layer.
- Natural weathering: The appearance of weathering steel will change with time and environmental changes. Users can choose whether to let it weather naturally or maintain its original color through some treatment methods according to personal preferences.
√ Maintenance of Stainless steel bbq grill
- Regular cleaning: Stainless steel surfaces usually need to be cleaned regularly to remove oil stains, stains and water stains, and avoid watermarks or rust on the surface.
- Avoid scratches from hard objects: Although the surface of stainless steel is hard, it is still easy to be scratched by sharp objects, so a soft cloth or sponge should be used when cleaning.
- Prevent discoloration under high temperature: If the stainless steel grill is exposed to high temperature for a long time, it may change color or turn black. You can protect its gloss by applying cooking oil or special stainless steel maintenance fluid.
Corten steel bbq grills and stainless steel bbq grills have their own advantages and disadvantages, suitable for different consumer needs and usage environments. When choosing a bbq grill, consumers should make decisions based on their needs, frequency of use and personal considerations. Whether it is a weathering steel or stainless steel grill, as long as it suits you, it is the most worthwhile barbecue companion to invest in.