Stainless Flatware from “Wallace”: Lead Free
Modern one-piece / single metal (seamless) flatware marked “stainless steel” and manufactured in recent years (regardless of country of origin) should all be lead free. As always, please feel free to ask questions. Here are some good choices to look at:
Stainless Steel is primarily composed of chromium, nickel, and iron. Iron in stainless is usually in the 750,000 to 850,000 ppm range. Chromium in stainless is usually in the 120,000 to 182,000 ppm range. Nickel can range from zero to 82,000 ppm. Some of the Ikea stainless that I have tested this year (2017) has been nickel free (for those who have concerns about nickel.) I personally do not have concerns about nickel (bound in stainless steel) for my family.
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I want to order more flatware to go with the ones we inherited from my in-laws, but it is from the 1950’s and I want to know it is safe. It is Carvel Hall brand, Leisure style, stainless steel, very plain. Imprinted on it – Carvel Hall Stainless USA. Would you feel safe using this with your family?
Thanks so much for all you do! You’re amazing!
Thank you. If it is marked stainless it is likely safe. The only issue would be if it had multi-colored metal components or integrated decorations, that would make me think twice.
The knives do have a blade attached to the handle. Both plain, but two separate pieces joined together. The handle appears to be hollow which is probably why they are not all one piece. Is this cause for concern?
Hi! Maybe not a big deal, but I think I see a small spelling/technical error on this page. I went to the link for “IKEA” and it went to the Amazon page for “IEKA 20-Piece Flatware Set,Stainless Steel Mirror Polishing tableware, Multipurpose Use for Home Kitchen or Restaurant, Cutlery Service for 4” by the seller “IEKA”, not “IKEA.” The “IEKA” seller is not “IKEA.” Just wanted to let you know. 🙂
I’ve been looking for some replacement cutting knives from my cheap Farberware set we use at home. IKEA is too expensive and I like Oneida products but I just don’t know what to get. I just need basic cutting knives like for cutting cucumber when making a salad, cutting chicken, pork or steak at dinner, etc.
Not sure where on the site is best to post this question. I have some very thin metal olive forks. Perhaps silver, or pewter. I’ve read that the acceptable level of lead in flatware in California is 0.226ppm (https://www.ceh.org/campaigns/legal-action/previous-work/food/lead-in-dishware/). From what I’ve read on this site, XFR cannot test for such a low level. Is there any suitable, affordable, and minimally destructive way to test for such levels? Is the article correct about 0.226ppm?
Hi Tamara, have you ever heard of or tested Nambe flatware? I am looking at a pattern called Bend and was wondering if you would recommend it? Thanks
Hi Marianne,
Thank you for commenting. Nambewear is aluminum. It is often Lead-contaminated aluminum (depending on the year of manufacture and the type of product.) I would err on the side of caution (in the absence of testing) and I would never use it for any food use purposes.
Tamara
Hi, Tamara, the original poster is referring to Nambe flatware, not their nambewear products, which contain aluminum. Nambe flatware is stated to be comprised of 18/10 Stainless Steel on their website. Is this not accurate? Thank you so much for the work you do. I have been considering buying a set of nambe flatware myself but your post made me question that. Thanks