Understanding stainless steel: Why your bar equipment needs to shine
Share
Anyone who mixes cocktails at home wants results like those in their favorite bar. In addition to the ingredients, the tools play a key role. But why does a shaker cost 15CHF in the supermarket and a professional tool three times as much? The answer lies in metallurgy and refinement.
Here is the technical check for your bar equipment.
1. The stainless steel code: AISI 304 (18/8)
Not all stainless steel is the same. For use at the bar, one property is more important than all others: acid resistance. Lemon and lime juice are aggressive. Cheap steel (often AISI 201 or 430) contains little nickel and corrodes microscopically due to the acid. The result: the tool smells metallic and can distort the taste of your drink.
At Swiss Bar Shop, we rely almost exclusively on the AISI 304 Standard (known as 18/8):
18% chromium & 8-10% nickel: this mixture makes the steel food-safe, rust-free, and completely tasteless. It is the “surgical tool” for your drinks.
2. Show your colors: PVD, electroplating, & coating
We love copper mugs and black shakers. But how does the color get onto the steel? There are various methods, each with its own merits:
- PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition): The gold standard for metallic looks (gold, copper, bronze). The color is vapor-deposited in a vacuum and bonds extremely tightly to the steel. PVD is very scratch-resistant and retains the metallic structure.
- Galvanization: An electrochemical process often used for silver or gold plating. It produces a wonderful shine.
- Painting/powder coating: Some colors (such as matte white, neon colors, or special soft-touch surfaces) cannot be produced metallically. In these cases, high-quality paints are applied. These enable unique designs, but are more sensitive to scratches than pure steel.
Our tip: Regardless of the method used, colored tools are like jewelry. Treat them as such.
3. Construction: The details of the jigger
The jigger (measuring cup) reveals the quality of workmanship.
- Welded: Many inexpensive models consist of two halves with a visible seam. Residue can collect here, and it is a classic predetermined breaking point.
- Seamless/cast: Professional models (like our jiggers) are often seamlessly crafted. This looks elegant, ensures perfect balance, and allows for hygienic cleaning.
4. Care instructions
To keep your equipment looking like new in 10 years:
- Pure stainless steel (silver): Dishwasher safe. For a perfect shine, we recommend polishing with a microfiber cloth (to prevent water spots).
- Colored equipment (all variants): Hand wash only! Aggressive dishwasher salts and heat will eventually attack any coating. PVD will become dull and paint may peel off. A soft sponge, warm water, and mild dish soap are all you need.
| Finish / Look | Material / Technique | Characteristics & Feel | Dishwasher Safe? | Best for... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Stainless Steel (Silver) | Polished or brushed 18/8 steel (AISI 304) | The most robust standard. Indestructible, taste-neutral, hard metallic feel. | Yes ✅ (Polishing recommended for shine) | Daily heavy-duty use and maximum hygiene. |
| PVD Colors (Gold, Copper, Gunmetal) | Physical Vapor Deposition (vaporized in a vacuum) | Extremely hard surface, molecularly bonded with the steel. Retains the metallic texture and feel. |
No ❌ |
High-end home bars and pros who want to combine color with durability. |
| Lacquer / Powder Coating (e.g., Matte White, Neon) | Color layer applied onto the steel | Enables special colors impossible with metal alone. The feel is often "softer" or grippier. More sensitive to scratches. |
No ❌ |
Specific design accents and visual effects. Requires careful handling. |
| Cheap Standard Steel | Often AISI 201/430 (low nickel content) | Prone to acid corrosion (rust spots), can impart a metallic taste to the drink. | Risky (Prone to rust) |
Not recommended for contact with citric acids (lemon/lime). |