Metal West Steel Products

Steel in Camping Equipment: What is it Used For

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Summer is officially here and that means it is time to get out and explore the world around us. Many people take advantage of the warmer weather by going camping. Did you know that steel is found on a lot of your must-have camping equipment? Let’s take a look at some steel camping equipment!

Campfire Grill or Portable BBQ Grill

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One of the more obvious places to find steel on your camping equipment is on your campfire grills and BBQ grills. Powder-coated steel and aluminized steel are the most common types of steel used for grills. These types of steel can withstand the heat from the fire and are very durable to help the grill last a long time.

Enamelware/Outdoor Dinnerware

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In case you prefer not to use disposable products, most outdoor dinnerware is also made out of steel. This is because steel is durable, easy to clean, safe to heat, and long lasting. Enamelware is metal that has been coated in a porcelain lining. It is also idea for camping because it is lightweight and budget friendly. It shouldn’t be too hard to find, either. Enamelware is incredibly trendy at the moment.

Coffee Pot

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If you’re anything like me, a hot beverage in the morning is a necessity. Especially when camping. Nothing completes a perfect morning of cool mountain air, watching the sunrise than a hot cup of Joe. So, you’ll need a metal coffee pot to place on the fire. Most camping coffee pots are made of stainless steel and may or may not come with an enameled layer.

Marshmallow Roasters

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One of the best parts of camping is starting a fire and roasting marshmallows. And, it today’s world you no longer have to search the woods for the perfect roasting stick that will possibly catch on fire halfway through your s’more making. Roasting sticks can be found at just about any big box store, grocery store, and many convenience stores. They are made from stainless steel with a wood, plastic, or rubber handle for safety.

These are just some of the places you can find steel in your camping equipment. If you look around, it is probably used in some way from your tent to your cooler. Now get out and enjoy the great outdoors!

To learn more about the types of steel Metalwest offers, contact your local sales representative.

Metal West Steel Products

Steel in School: What it is Used For

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It is back to school time for most of the country and that means school supplies, new classrooms, a new locker assignment, and the start of extracurricular activities. So, what does this have to do with steel? Well, lot’s actually!
Steel is used in a multitude of everyday objects, including school-related items.

School Supplies

While it is typically not used in a large quantity in school supplies, steel can still be found on quite a few items, including:

  • Notebooks
  • Pencil boxes
  • Around pencil erasers
  • Tape dispensers
  • Staplers
  • Teachers’ paper boxes
  • Water bottles

In the Classroom

Steel is also found throughout classrooms, whether it be a chemistry lab, biology classroom, or an English classroom. Places in a classroom you might find steel, include:

  • Desks
  • Chairs
  • The boarder around chalkboards, whiteboards, and bulletin boards
  • Window frames
  • Shelves
  • Lab equipment

Lockers

Lockers are completely constructed of steel (besides the combination dial). However you decorate (or decorated back in the day) your locker, it is all enhancing the chipped or faded paint covering the steel.

Extracurricular Activities

Steel can also be found in some extracurricular activities. Whether it is in sporting equipment like a tennis racket, a basketball hoop, a soccer goal, or even the bleachers, or you participate in service organizations, academic teams or clubs, steel can be found just about anywhere you look.

So now that you have a backpack filled with school supplies and are about to set off to find those new classrooms, you’ll know that steel is a big part of everyday life, even in school.

To learn more about the types of steel Metalwest offers, contact your local sales representative.

Stainless Steel Grills

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The summer season is here and that means it is time to break out the grill. There are many different types of grills: charcoal, gas, electric, fire-pit style, etc., as well as many different manufacturers, price tags, sizes, etc. Grills are also made out of a variety of different metals. But one of the most common metals used is stainless steel.

Stainless Steel Grills

Stainless steel is a popular choice for grills for a few reasons.

  1. Well, it looks good. Stainless steel has a stigma attached to it that it is a high-end product and that stigma is mostly right. Your refrigerator looks fancier, your toaster looks fancier, and your grill looks fancier. If you keep it clean it sparkles and shines. A stainless steel grill definitely catches peoples’ attention.
  2. It’s easy to clean. Stainless steel isn’t dust, dirt, grease, or water-spot resistant, but it is easy to clean off the spots and make your grill shine again. Here are three ways to clean stainless steel appliances.
  3. It’s corrosion resistant. While there are different grades of stainless used for stainless steel grills and each grade has different levels of corrosion resistance, stainless steel is known for its corrosion resistance. This is because chromium is added to the steel and reacts with oxygen to form chromium oxide. This gives it its corrosion resistant properties. Learn more about how stainless steel is made.
  4. Because of its corrosion resistance, it is also one of the most sanitary steels. Stainless is commonly used for food service equipment, medical equipment, processing equipment, etc., because of its sanitary benefits.

300 series stainless vs. 400 series stainless

Just because a grill (or other appliance) is stainless, does not mean it is a higher-quality product. A high-quality stainless steel grill is typically made from 300 series stainless grades, specifically 304 stainless. Because it has a higher nickel content and less steel in the alloy, 304 is higher quality and generally higher cost.

You will find 300 series stainless steel used for high-end grills. If you are unsure if the grill you are picking out is 300 series stainless, try the magnetic test. If the magnet sticks to the product, it is not a 304-grade stainless steel grill.

However, don’t be worried about purchasing a 400 series stainless steel grill. It is what fits within most people’s budgets and many grill manufacturers have changed to the 400 series to lower costs. Just make sure you do your research.

If you are choosing a 430-grade stainless grill, make sure you look for heavier gauge construction throughout. That will ensure it is holds up longer. Some manufactures also mix stainless grades in their construction. The lid may be a 304-grade, but the base might be 430.

If all else fails, wherever you are purchasing your grill from should have an expert to talk to.

For more information on the best stainless steel for your application contact your local sales representative.