What is the difference between 304 grade stainless steel and 316 marine grade stainless steel?

Ever wondered what is the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steels? Not all stainless steels are created equal. While it’s great to make the switch to stainless steel clothes pegs, the grade of the stainless steel is important if you want them to last longer than you will! 316 marine grade stainless steel is the best quality available, and that’s why Best Pegs only use this type of stainless steel. I found an excellent article explaining the differences between 304 and 316 marine grade stainless steels here . In short, 304 stainless steel is still susceptible to corrosion found in saline (salty) environments, and considering 80% of Australians live on or near the coast, it’s better to spend slightly more on marine grade stainless steel clothes pegs to ensure their longevity. To prove the superiority of 316 marine grade stainless steel, CommandeX, a manufacturer of security screen doors, conducted a test to simulate 100 years of real life salt spray called The 10,000 Hour Salt Spray Test (Australian Standard 2331.3.1). This was to designed to mimic the effects of sea salt spray on their 316 marine grade stainless steel screen doors over 100 years and their screens easily passed this test. So there is a difference between the 304 and 316 marine grade stainless steel, and it’s definitely worth investing a little extra money to buy the best quality stainless steel clothes pegs available. Think about how much you will spend on clothes pegs for the rest of your life, and the environmental waste created by replacing broken pegs. Best Pegs only use 316 grade stainless steel so you’re assured of quality. They have been independently tested to confirm that they are indeed made from 316 stainless steel. However, while 316 stainless steel offers increased corrosion resistance when compared to 304, it is still susceptible to rust if not cared for properly. The good news is that it’s very easy to care for your marine grade stainless steel pegs. All you need to do is give them a wash in soapy water every six months, increase the wash frequency to three months if you live near the ocean. Check out our Best Pegs care guide here for more information. Head over to the shop here to grab a 20, 60 or 100 pack that you will NEVER have to replace!