304 vs 201 Stainless Steel Sink: Which Grade Should You Buy?
July 25, 2026
304 vs 201 Stainless Steel Sink: Which Grade Should You Buy?
If you’re shopping for a commercial stainless steel sink, the single biggest decision after size is the steel grade. Most sinks are labelled “stainless” with no grade at all — and that’s where buyers get burned. Here’s the plain-English difference between 304 and 201, and why we build almost everything in 304.
What the numbers mean
Both are austenitic stainless steels. The difference is the nickel content:
- 304 (18/8) — 18% chromium, 8%+ nickel. The food-service standard.
- 201 — swaps much of the nickel for manganese to cut cost. ~3.5–5.5% nickel, 5.5–7.5% manganese.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | 304 Stainless | 201 Stainless |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | Excellent — resists rust in wet, chemical-exposed kitchens | Good only when dry; rusts near drain & welds in 3–5 yrs |
| Durability | Dents less, long service life | Slightly harder short-term but more brittle |
| Lifespan | 15–20 years | 3–5 years in daily wet use |
| Hygiene | Smooth passive layer, food-safe | Can attract metal particles, dulls over time |
| Weldability | Excellent (low carbon, no hot-cracking) | Prone to hot-cracking at seams |
| Price | Higher upfront | 20–40% cheaper |
Why 304 wins on total cost
A 201 sink looks like a bargain — until the rust shows up around the drain three years in. Replacing the whole unit (plus labour and countertop adjustments) costs far more than the saving you made. As the saying goes: buy cheap, buy twice. A 304 stainless steel sink pays back through decades of service.
When is 201 acceptable?
Only in dry, light-use spots — a basement utility sink that rarely sees water, for example. For any sink that meets food, water and daily cleaning, 304 is the safe choice.
How to verify you’re getting 304
- Ask the supplier for a mill test certificate confirming 304 composition.
- Avoid vague “stainless” labels with no grade.
- 304 is weakly magnetic (or non-magnetic) after annealing; 201 is more strongly magnetic from cold working.
Related reading
Once the grade is settled, the next questions are thickness and size — see our sink gauge explainer and the full commercial sink buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is 201 stainless steel food safe?
In theory both grades are food-grade, but 201’s lower corrosion resistance means it can rust in acidic or wet conditions — not ideal for a daily kitchen sink. 304 is the food-service standard.
Will a magnet tell me if my sink is 304?
Partly. 304 is weakly or non-magnetic after proper annealing; 201 is more magnetic. But the reliable check is a mill test certificate from the supplier.
Why is 304 more expensive?
Higher nickel content. The cost is recovered through a far longer, low-maintenance lifespan.
Building in 304, made to your size
We fabricate 304 stainless steel sinks in single, double and triple bowl configurations, custom-sized with MOQ of 1 piece. Explore the range or visit our factory.