Stainless Steel Flatware Vs Silverware

Whether you are a blushing bride or an anxious mother of the bride buying a flatware set, buying the perfect flatware set can be a task. If you can't decide on the flatware you should get, contemporary stainless steel or traditional silverware, you are not alone in the quest for the perfect choice. Yes, flatware is important, whether you are buying a set for daily use or for those special occasions. But how do you choose between the two kinds?

There is no perfect answer for this option. Both kinds of flatware are great, but which one is the perfect choice for you?

Here are some guidelines that will help you choose:

• Price: What kind of budget do you have for the flatware? Silver is more expensive than stainless steel. Silverware pricing is high as silver is a precious metal and silverware is considered to be an heirloom. So if price is not a problem for you then silverware is the way to go. But if you want some thing more cost-effective, then choose stainless steel.
• Use: Depending on how you are going to use the flatware you can choose between silver and stainless steel. If you are buying for daily use and want something that you don't mind will be subject to wear and tear, then stainless steel is the way to go. Stainless steel is durable, whereas silverware is better for special occasions and those rare occasions.
• Maintenance: Silverware requires a lot of maintenance, regular polishing and buffing so that it doesn't go dull, whereas stainless steel is practically maintenance free. It doesn't scratch, stain or bend. Silverware is prone to bending as silver is a soft metal and has only 7.5% copper to make it stronger. So if you want something you do not need to maintain on a regular basis, then you should opt for stainless steel silverware.
• Durability: Silverware isn't as durable as stainless steel; the later is almost indestructible, as it will never break, dent or bend. Whereas silver being a softer and more pliable metal is prone to breakage and bending.
• Designs: Flatware can come in many designs. Silverware tends to be more traditional in design whereas stainless steel can be more contemporary in style and design, so choose according to your need.
• Cleaning: Cleaning flatware is very important, silverware cannot be cleaned with regular detergent as it will dull and tarnish, it needs to be cleaned with appropriate cleaners. Stainless steel on the other hand is quite easy to clean. No need for special cleaning agents for stainless steel, warm water and detergent is fine.
• Appearance: This again boils down to the maintenance of the flatware. Silverware after a while will start to look old dulled and tarnished, unless it is carefully polished and buffed. Stainless steel requires no such maintenance, and it will keep looking new. This is because of nickel in the stainless steel alloy, which keeps it looking highly polished.
• Food Stains: Silverware will stain from eggs and mustard and will need to be polished regularly, but stainless steel on the other hand is not prone to food stains.

Buy what you love and like, do not be pressurized into buying something that you won't use. The best option though is to get a set of both, stainless steel for daily use and silverware for occasions such as dinners and parties, why not make guests feel honored that you have taken out your precious silverware for them.