I am trying to choose a stainless sink. I understand that the lower the gauge the better the quality. What about the series and the chrone nickel content? What should I look for in those areas?

I am considering a 304 series. 18 gauge. 18/10 chrome nickel content.

Please help.

Most stainless steel sinks will come in 300 series stainless steel. Type 304 is the most common and is of good quality. Type 316 is marine grade quality, and is more resistant to corrosion than type 304. Typically, this type of stainless steel isn't found in kitchen sinks, rather, it is used in industrial sinks that might be exposed to chemicals

The other type of stainless steel you might find in sinks is type 430. This is not as good as 304 or 316. Type 430 corrodes easier than 300 series stainless steel.

The three most common chromium-to-nickel ratios you'll find are 18/10, 18/8 and 18/0. The 18 represents the percentage of chromium in the stainless steel and the other number (10, 8 or 0) represents the percentage of nickel. The more nickel the more corrosion resistant your sink will be, so 18/10 is the best you can do. 18/8 is probably the most common ratio and it also makes for quality sinks. 18/0 is the lowest quality and is usually found in type 430 stainless steel. Type 304 can have either 18/8 or 18/10. Type 316 typically uses 18% chromium, and can have up to 14% nickel, as well as 2-to-3% molybdenum.

And you mentioned gauge, and you are correct about lower gauge numbers being better than higher numbers. Eighteen gauge stainless steel is pretty common and is of good quality. Remember that the lower the gauge number, the thicker and heavier your stainless steel will be. That's why you don't see too many sinks with gauges lower than 16. Anything lower than 16 gauge can end up being too heavy sit within a countertop.

thank you for the very helpful info.