What is Stainless Steel 304 Wire Mesh?
Stainless Steel 304 wire mesh is a woven or welded metal screen made from SS 304 alloy, known for its excellent corrosion resistance, hygiene, and food-grade compliance. It’s widely used in food processing, filtration, drying, and handling equipment.
Why It’s Essential in the Food Industry
SS 304 mesh is trusted by commercial kitchens, food processors, and OEMs for one simple reason: it meets global food safety standards while resisting rust, bacteria, and chemical reactions.
Key reasons for its widespread use include:
- Non-reactive with acidic or alkaline foods
- Resistant to corrosion, heat, and cleaning agents
- Smooth surface that prevents food residue buildup
- Durable enough for repeated use in industrial settings
From sorting to drying, SS 304 mesh ensures cleanliness, compliance, and continuity.
Key Trends, Challenges & Common Questions
🔼 Industry Trends:
- Rise in stainless steel mesh trays, filters, and belts in automated food lines
- Shift from plastics to hygienic metal screens for environmental compliance
- Growing use of 304 mesh in bakery, dairy, and snack food manufacturing
❓ Common Buyer Questions:
- Is SS 304 mesh safe for direct food contact?
- What mesh size should I choose for drying or filtration?
- How does 304 compare with 316 stainless steel for food use?
- Can SS 304 mesh be welded or cut into trays and frames?
🔗 Explore SS 304 Wire Mesh Options
How SS 304 Wire Mesh Supports Food-Grade Equipment
Stainless steel 304 mesh is the backbone of hygienic design in modern food plants. At IG Wire Screen Co., we supply precision-woven and welded mesh that meets food-grade standards for:
- Sieving, filtering, and draining
- Conveyor belts and drying trays
- Protective guards and screens in machinery
- Packing table covers and inspection surfaces
With 304 mesh, you ensure clean handling, efficient airflow, and metal-safe food contact, all while complying with FDA, FSSAI, and ISO food safety standards.
Common Applications in the Food Industry
| Equipment / Process | Use of SS 304 Wire Mesh |
|---|---|
| Drying Ovens / Dehydrators | Mesh trays and belts for airflow and heat flow |
| Filtration Systems | Inline filters for syrups, oils, juices, brine |
| Dough Handling / Baking | Non-stick mesh for proofing, baking, cooling |
| Vegetable / Fruit Processing | Washing screens, separating debris |
| Dairy Equipment | Cheese curd screens, milk filtration |
| Snack Food Machinery | Conveying hot chips, wafers, or puffed products |
SS 304 mesh provides the perfect balance of flexibility, food safety, and reusability.
Technical Specifications of SS 304 Mesh
- Material Grade: SS 304 (18-8 chromium-nickel alloy)
- Mesh Range: 4 mesh to 400 mesh
- Wire Diameters: 0.02 mm to 2 mm
- Weave Types: Plain weave, twill weave, Dutch weave
- Form Options: Rolls, sheets, cut panels, fabricated trays
- Finish: Smooth, burr-free surface ideal for food contact
- Compliance: Food-grade certification available on request
We offer custom fabrication, cutting, and bending to match specific equipment designs.
Case Study: Mesh Trays for Dehydrated Fruit Exporter
A fruit processing plant needed rust-proof, reusable drying trays for mango, papaya, and banana dehydration.
We supplied:
- 304-grade welded mesh sheets in 10 mesh
- Custom-cut to fit their stainless tray frames
- Supplied with smooth edges and pre-cleaned finish
✅ Result: Trays lasted over 2 years without corrosion, saving 40% on tray replacement costs annually.
SS 304 vs SS 316 for Food Applications
| Feature | SS 304 Wire Mesh | SS 316 Wire Mesh |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent (general food use) | Superior (ideal for high-acid or salty foods) |
| Food-Grade Compliance | Yes | Yes |
| Cost | More economical | Higher price point |
| Common Use | Bakeries, snacks, dry processing | Pickles, seafood, salt brines |
🔗 See 316 SS Welded Mesh for High-Salinity Applications
🔗 Explore SS Welded Wire Mesh Range
Why Choose IG Wire Screen Co. for SS 304 Mesh?
- ✅ Trusted by top food OEMs & processors in India and globally
- ✅ Stock-ready mesh rolls and cut panels
- ✅ Certified food-safe finish with edge-burr removal
- ✅ Custom trays, filters & guards available on request
- ✅ Fast delivery + export packaging for bulk buyers
You focus on food quality—we’ll deliver the mesh that keeps it safe.
Global Supply & Custom Fabrication Services
At IG Wire Screen Co., we supply SS 304 food-grade mesh to OEMs, food manufacturers, and machinery exporters across India and beyond.
✔️ Bulk supply or custom-sized sheets
✔️ Welded or woven mesh with deburred finish
✔️ Food-grade packaging for hygiene-sensitive delivery
✔️ Quick turnaround for production lines and retrofits
Need trays, filters, or guarding mesh? Our in-house team handles cutting, shaping, and welding to spec.
Buyer Tips for Selecting SS 304 Mesh for Food Use
✔️ Use 20–40 mesh for drying, baking, and airflow trays
✔️ Choose 80–200 mesh for liquid filtration or juice sieving
✔️ Ask for plain weave for general handling and draining
✔️ Always request burr-free, polished finish for direct food contact
✔️ Confirm wire gauge and open area % based on your product type
→ Contact Us for Mesh Specs or Sample Sheet
🔍 Voice Search Optimized FAQs
Q1. Is stainless steel 304 mesh food safe?
Yes, SS 304 is food-grade and widely approved for use in food equipment and handling surfaces.
Q2. What mesh size is best for food drying trays?
Typically, 10 to 30 mesh is used for drying fruits, snacks, and baked items.
Q3. Can SS 304 wire mesh be welded into trays or frames?
Yes. It is suitable for welding and can be formed into custom trays, screens, or enclosures.
Q4. How does SS 304 compare with SS 316 in food use?
SS 304 is ideal for general food use; SS 316 is preferred for salty, acidic, or chemical-heavy applications.
Q5. Is SS 304 mesh rust-proof?
It is highly corrosion-resistant under normal food processing conditions, but prolonged exposure to brine or acids may require SS 316.
Q6. Can I use SS 304 mesh in ovens or high temperatures?
Yes, it can handle heat up to 870°C, making it suitable for baking, roasting, or drying equipment.
Q7. Do you provide food-safe certification or documentation?
Yes. Upon request, we supply material test certificates and food-grade compliance docs with your order.
Q8. Where can I buy SS 304 mesh for food equipment in India?
You can get it directly from IG Wire Screen Co. — with custom sizing, fast delivery, and export packaging.
📢 Call to Action – Trusted by Food Equipment Manufacturers
From baking trays to juice filters, your food system deserves mesh that’s clean, compliant, and corrosion-resistant.
🧾 Request a Quote or Sample
📥 Download Technical Datasheet
🛠️ Get Custom Mesh Fabricated to Your Specs
→ Talk to Our Team Now
🧠 Final Takeaway: Safe Mesh, Safe Food
Your food-grade equipment should never be a compromise.
SS 304 wire mesh ensures hygiene, durability, and zero contamination risk — no matter how complex your process is.
Let’s build a cleaner, safer food system—one mesh at a time.