Sorry, I was being unclear. I was referring to the plate that collects the juice that goes into my bucket. So there will definitely be contacted between the metal and the juice.
I'm making a steel cider press should I treat the metal with something or is it fine the way it is. My main concern is the base where the juice pools. Should I find a food grade pain or should I just return the steel i bought and go get stainless. Or am I just over thinking this.