How Long Does Fancy Silver Cutlery Last Vs Regular Stainless Steel?

Silver cutlery is typically more expensive than its stainless steel counterpart, so ideally, it should have a long lifespan. The good news is — generally speaking — silver flatware is considered to be something that lasts so long that you'd hand it down to your kids or even grandkids. (One key note: We're referring to sterling silver here, which is 92.5% silver mixed with a firmer metal like copper, as "pure" silver cutlery would be too soft to be usable.) It's hard to give an exact lifespan, but if looked after properly, you can expect sterling silver flatware to last decades or even over a century. So, it's an investment for life.

Stainless steel cutlery is a different beast: It's made with iron and carbon, mixed in with around 18% chromium, which is the part that makes it rust-proof. Sometimes, nickel is added to the mix, making the cutlery tougher and more resistant to corrosion. Those with nickel will typically last longer; they're often called 18/10 or 18/8, reflecting the amount of chromium (18%) and nickel (8% or 10%) in the steel. You can expect 18:10 stainless steel flatware to last over 10 years, maybe up to 20, while 18/8 cutlery can last up to 10 years, but potentially less. On the other hand, 18/0 stainless steel has a notably shorter lifespan, in the realm of two to five years. It stains and rusts more easily, and is more sensitive to heat and force.

There's a third category worth mentioning here: Silver-plated cutlery. It's made with a metal like brass, nickel, or stainless steel, and then covered with a thin exterior layer of silver. That silver plating wears away over time, so the lifespan for this cutlery depends on how thick the plating is. With that said, it's hard to give a concrete lifespan (it also depends on how often you use the flatware), but that lifespan would be measured in decades, rather than years: 20 to 30 years is a ballpark number, but a thick-plated set could last for several more decades.

No matter which cutlery you choose, caring for it properly will extend its lifespan. Hand-washing is often recommended for silver and silver-plated flatware, and you'll want to scrub gently to avoid scraping off the plating; there are some cleaning tricks out there like using vinegar, too. Some argue that you can put silver cutlery in the dishwasher, but you'll want gentle detergents (avoid acidic lemon options), while keeping the heat low (under about 120 degrees Fahrenheit). You'll also need to polish your silverware if you want it to shine. Generally speaking, you should rinse your cutlery right after it's used to get rid of any food that could cause damage if it's left to sit there.

This rinsing applies for stainless steel too, but generally speaking, this cutlery is hardier when it comes to washing. It's considered fine to put in the dishwasher; just avoid stacking the cutlery too close to one another to avoid scratching.