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Is Stainless Steel Worth Anything as Scrap?

Above steel, below copper — and the magnet test lies. Here is how stainless really works.

26 September 2026 · By OJ Metal Recycling

The Short Answer

Yes — a Quantity Game Worth Playing

Stainless steel sits between plain steel and the non-ferrous metals on value: worth clearly more than iron per kilo, well short of copper or brass. Single cutlery trays will not retire you — but sinks, catering equipment, balustrades, exhausts and commercial kitchen strip-outs add up to serious weight fast.

For today's figure, check guide prices or call 07793 020266 with photos.

Know What You Have

Identifying Stainless (the Magnet Trap)

Look first

Stainless stays bright and clean where ordinary steel rusts and pits. Sinks, splashbacks, handrails and catering steel have a recognisable satin sheen.

Magnet lies sometimes

Some stainless grades are non-magnetic, others grab a magnet firmly. A magnet that sticks does NOT prove it is plain steel — send photos if unsure.

Think catering

The richest household source is the kitchen: sinks, extractors, splashbacks. Commercially: full kitchen strip-outs, breweries, dairies and catering clearances.

FAQs

Stainless FAQs

Is stainless worth more than steel?

Yes — clearly above plain steel per kilo, though below copper and brass. Quantity is what makes it pay.

Does rust mean it is not stainless?

Surface tea-staining can appear on lower grades, but deep flaking rust usually means plain or plated steel. Photos settle it quickly.

Do you take commercial kitchen strip-outs?

Yes — full catering clearances are ideal stainless loads. Businesses should see our commercial service.

Can stainless go with general steel?

It can, but the load then grades as steel and you lose the stainless premium. Keep it piled apart — it costs nothing.

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Got Stainless to Shift?

Sinks to full kitchen strip-outs — send photos and your postcode.

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