304 and 316 stainless steels differ in their chemical composition. 304 has 18% chromium and 8% nickel, making it good at resisting rust in general. 316, on the other hand, has more things like molybdenum, which helps it fight off rust even better, especially in rough places like the ocean. So, 304 is like a regular recipe that’s fine for most things, while 316 is like adding extra stuff to make it stronger, particularly in tough conditions.