The numbers 18 and 10 in the stainless steel cookware indicate the percentage of chromium and nickel that are added to the stainless steel. It means that the material is made up of 18% chromium and 10% nickel. This also contains carbon in a very low amount almost 0.1% to make the steel harder. The higher the percentage of these elements, the better the quality of the cookware. This is because the higher nickel content makes the cookware more resistant to rust and helps to maintain its polish for longer periods of time.
This stainless steel also contains high content of nitrogen. This makes it ideal for coastal regions because there are high chances of corrosion. It also resists corrosive chemicals. Many chemicals include soda and they are mainly used for cooking. They do not react easily with chemicals and won’t lose the original flavor of food. 18/10 stainless steel can tolerate extremely high temperatures without undergoing any physical or structural damage. Most cookware is made out of this type of steel. The reason why 18/10 stainless steel makes such great cookware is that when the chromium bonds with oxygen, it creates a protective layer that prevents rust and gives the cookware its silver color. 18/10 stainless steel is more durable in comparison. And it is costlier than any other steel because it contains more chromium and nickel.