Is Stainless Still King of the Kitchen?
- Thread starter sudsmaster
- Start date
Help Support :
Meanwhile, Hyundai has released a novel new "color" for its twin turbo 2013 Veloster car, which has a matte clear coat over a gray point job, making it look like it has just a primer coat...
Maybe that's what will be next in kitchen appliances, too? Primer Gray?
In 50 different shades?
Maybe that's what will be next in kitchen appliances, too? Primer Gray?
In 50 different shades?
whirlcool
Well-known member
My computer hung up on that preceding commercial! I hate it when you have to sit through a commercial to see the content. Grrrr.....
rinso
Well-known member
Partner and I purchased a new house with all stainless kitchen appliances. We have never had stainless appliances before, and never will have them again. It is nearly impossible to get all the streaks out of them, regardless of the streakless claims of the stainless cleaners/polishes. Even my black appliances were easier to keep clean.
New White
It does look better with a little silver, I have hated the white on white look since it came out in the early 1990s. The WOW appliances show there age very quickly as the many plastic parts, knobs, handles and trim often discolor to different hues and the appliance ends looking old way too soon.
I love the bul...it comment that SS is cheap to make and easy to clean, nothing could be further from the truth. Appliance manufacturers still charge a hefty premium for SS and in the past few years most SS appliances have switched from real nonmagnetic SS to cheaper plated stainless look finishes as real SS has proved too expensive to keep producing except on the most expensive appliances.
I do think the SS look will remain popular for some time to come even it has been heavily overused and doesn't look all that good in most kitchens especially when used with wood cabinets.
It does look better with a little silver, I have hated the white on white look since it came out in the early 1990s. The WOW appliances show there age very quickly as the many plastic parts, knobs, handles and trim often discolor to different hues and the appliance ends looking old way too soon.
I love the bul...it comment that SS is cheap to make and easy to clean, nothing could be further from the truth. Appliance manufacturers still charge a hefty premium for SS and in the past few years most SS appliances have switched from real nonmagnetic SS to cheaper plated stainless look finishes as real SS has proved too expensive to keep producing except on the most expensive appliances.
I do think the SS look will remain popular for some time to come even it has been heavily overused and doesn't look all that good in most kitchens especially when used with wood cabinets.
I like the look of stainless steel appliances...but as everyone has mentioned, they are a pain-in-the-ass to clean. I don't have kids in the house, so the ranges and refrigerator don't require frequent cleaning. The dishwasher is the most prone to suffer from water drips that run down the front and leave a long trail behind them.
After getting frustrated with oily stainless steel cleaning sprays that leave the floor slippery, I switched to these Weiman wipes. They are super-easy to use and there's no overspray to deal with. Swab the front with a wipe, then buff with a cotton towel and you're good-to-go!
I like Whirlpool's new White Ice look. As noted in the article, they are reminiscent of Apple/Mac products.
After getting frustrated with oily stainless steel cleaning sprays that leave the floor slippery, I switched to these Weiman wipes. They are super-easy to use and there's no overspray to deal with. Swab the front with a wipe, then buff with a cotton towel and you're good-to-go!
I like Whirlpool's new White Ice look. As noted in the article, they are reminiscent of Apple/Mac products.
I, for one
have NEVER liked stainless steel appliances in a home kitchen....unless, of course, the appliances were Viking (Ultraline in Canada), or similar. Even then......
I wish stainless steel was over, I really do. I am not a wannabe pro cook, I was a professional cook at one time, and I never want to go back to it again. Helping out at church, for our Communitywide Free Meals, that's entirely different. I couldn't wait to be a home cook again.
However, if you like stainless steel, have at it.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
have NEVER liked stainless steel appliances in a home kitchen....unless, of course, the appliances were Viking (Ultraline in Canada), or similar. Even then......
I wish stainless steel was over, I really do. I am not a wannabe pro cook, I was a professional cook at one time, and I never want to go back to it again. Helping out at church, for our Communitywide Free Meals, that's entirely different. I couldn't wait to be a home cook again.
However, if you like stainless steel, have at it.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
I have never liked stainless steel either and I really don't understand what the big deal is with them. All my appliances are black and I like the look.
Gary
Gary
Where is turquoise when we need it?
I have never liked stainless steel appliances either. I'm like Gary, all mine are black and I like the look!!!
White on white
When I redid this place over in 1995, I bought those for the kitchen. They do discolor in places and do show wear alot easier. But granted, mine are going on 18 years old and Whirlpool fridge, gas range and dishwasher still work perfect....knock on wood. Plus my 1977 Whirlpool Mark series microwave has never skipped a beat. Too bad Whirlpool didnt make that type of quality now.
When I redid this place over in 1995, I bought those for the kitchen. They do discolor in places and do show wear alot easier. But granted, mine are going on 18 years old and Whirlpool fridge, gas range and dishwasher still work perfect....knock on wood. Plus my 1977 Whirlpool Mark series microwave has never skipped a beat. Too bad Whirlpool didnt make that type of quality now.
Stainless steel
I have NEVER liked stainless steel or is that stainfull steel? I like white and that is what it is here except for the 1935 Detroit Jewel gas stove in the kitchen and the harvest gold Maytag washer and dryer from the late 70's early 80's center dial machines in the basement.
I have gone into Best Buy ( worst buy) and played a game with the sales person (who had no clue on his/her products). "May I help you?" "Sure, tell me all about your stainless steel 'fridges."
I said,"What about hand and finger prints on all of this?" (my hands on the doors now).
"Oh, there isn't any problem, you just wipe them off."
"With what?"
(crickets churping).
"Thanks for your time, that's what I thought, you have no clue!" etc.
Ok, that was the teacher in me for 35 years and wasn't very nice;however it did prove a point, no clue on what stainless steel is about.
I have NEVER liked stainless steel or is that stainfull steel? I like white and that is what it is here except for the 1935 Detroit Jewel gas stove in the kitchen and the harvest gold Maytag washer and dryer from the late 70's early 80's center dial machines in the basement.
I have gone into Best Buy ( worst buy) and played a game with the sales person (who had no clue on his/her products). "May I help you?" "Sure, tell me all about your stainless steel 'fridges."
I said,"What about hand and finger prints on all of this?" (my hands on the doors now).
"Oh, there isn't any problem, you just wipe them off."
"With what?"
(crickets churping).
"Thanks for your time, that's what I thought, you have no clue!" etc.
Ok, that was the teacher in me for 35 years and wasn't very nice;however it did prove a point, no clue on what stainless steel is about.
Well, my kitchen (#1) has a mix of stainless and black. I got rid of the GE harvest dishwasher (it had a rotted out inner tub) and the harvest gold GE SxS fridge (energy hog, but it did work ok). Replaced a white Corning electric cook top with a black "gas on glass" Frigidaire 36" cooktop. Dishwasher now is a black Bosch, which works great. Wall oven is a GE P*7, but I "upgraded" it from its Harvest front panel to a brushed stainless front panel (got that from an oven on Craigslist).
I agree that stainless can be a pain to get spotless. But since only the wall oven and the fridge are stainless, it's not a big deal. I find the Kitchenaid stainless steel polish (It's a creamy liquid in a bottle) works quite well. I also found one must be careful to use a clean sponge to clean the stainless surfaces - any salt left behind will leave stains on it. I use a non-scratching Scotchbrite sponge/pad to clear up these when they occur.
Black is fine with me. So is white, for that matter. This place also has a second kitchen (#2) on the enclosed patio. Currently it has an SS KA top freezer, which i loathe because the nice curved doors are misshapen from the interior insulation shrinking and sucking in the sides. But it also does work ok, mechanically, Next to it, a white Kenmore chest freezer. On the other side, a white Hobart/KA portable dishwasher KD2P. Minty. The range is a 60's Frigidaire fat coil 30 inch drop in. White.
Eventually I'm thinking I'll replace the ugly shrunken KA top freezer out there with a late 40's GE white fridge, that still works well and is energy efficient. It needs a new door gasket and exterior repainted. It will be white, of course. I might also replace the Frigidaire electric range with a gas drop-in unit, although that will have to wait for me to get the gas line extended to that location.
An advantage to white is that it helps to brighten up a room. And it doesn't show dust and slight mineral spotting as much as black or stainless.
In defense of stainless, it is probably the most durable and cleanable of all surfaces. A polished stainless surface doesn't give bacteria much of a toehold. Heat and strong cleaners (other than chlorine) don't affect it. This is a reason why it's the norm for restaurant and commercial kitchens, as well as for medical and lab equipment. But it think a good quality white porcelain enamel is a very close second, if it's treated right and not abused with abrasive cleansers. In defense of Kitchenaid, the stainless they used on their fridges (when I bought them in 2001) is high quality non-magnetic 18-8.
And stainless is NOT cheap material. Good quality is 18% chromium, which isn't cheap, with 8% or more nickel (which is even less cheap). It is more difficult to machine and form than mild steel, which forms the underlying structure of most other finishes like porcelain enamel or powder coat. Treated right, it will last forever, without rusting through. Which makes it ideal for the interiors of dishwashers and washing machines.
I suppose if one is really sick of the stainless look, one could get the best of both worlds: Have the stainless panels on an appliance powder coated white (or other color of choice). The paint might scratch or wear off, but the underlying stainless won't rust.
I agree that stainless can be a pain to get spotless. But since only the wall oven and the fridge are stainless, it's not a big deal. I find the Kitchenaid stainless steel polish (It's a creamy liquid in a bottle) works quite well. I also found one must be careful to use a clean sponge to clean the stainless surfaces - any salt left behind will leave stains on it. I use a non-scratching Scotchbrite sponge/pad to clear up these when they occur.
Black is fine with me. So is white, for that matter. This place also has a second kitchen (#2) on the enclosed patio. Currently it has an SS KA top freezer, which i loathe because the nice curved doors are misshapen from the interior insulation shrinking and sucking in the sides. But it also does work ok, mechanically, Next to it, a white Kenmore chest freezer. On the other side, a white Hobart/KA portable dishwasher KD2P. Minty. The range is a 60's Frigidaire fat coil 30 inch drop in. White.
Eventually I'm thinking I'll replace the ugly shrunken KA top freezer out there with a late 40's GE white fridge, that still works well and is energy efficient. It needs a new door gasket and exterior repainted. It will be white, of course. I might also replace the Frigidaire electric range with a gas drop-in unit, although that will have to wait for me to get the gas line extended to that location.
An advantage to white is that it helps to brighten up a room. And it doesn't show dust and slight mineral spotting as much as black or stainless.
In defense of stainless, it is probably the most durable and cleanable of all surfaces. A polished stainless surface doesn't give bacteria much of a toehold. Heat and strong cleaners (other than chlorine) don't affect it. This is a reason why it's the norm for restaurant and commercial kitchens, as well as for medical and lab equipment. But it think a good quality white porcelain enamel is a very close second, if it's treated right and not abused with abrasive cleansers. In defense of Kitchenaid, the stainless they used on their fridges (when I bought them in 2001) is high quality non-magnetic 18-8.
And stainless is NOT cheap material. Good quality is 18% chromium, which isn't cheap, with 8% or more nickel (which is even less cheap). It is more difficult to machine and form than mild steel, which forms the underlying structure of most other finishes like porcelain enamel or powder coat. Treated right, it will last forever, without rusting through. Which makes it ideal for the interiors of dishwashers and washing machines.
I suppose if one is really sick of the stainless look, one could get the best of both worlds: Have the stainless panels on an appliance powder coated white (or other color of choice). The paint might scratch or wear off, but the underlying stainless won't rust.
The Last Thing One's Kitchen Should Look Like Is A Morgu
IMHO, so over doing it on the SS is a no go pour moi.
While the surface is durable it isn't exactly easy to keep clean/free of smudges and marks. In a home with perhaps all adults it could work, but shouldn't bother with children about.
When the local laundromat first reopened after a redo with all SS SQ washers, the poor attendent went about nightly polishing each one, even went out and purchased special cleaners/waxes to do so. Apparently that got old fast and soon a spritz of Windex wiped with a paper towel is the best they can manage.
IMHO, so over doing it on the SS is a no go pour moi.
While the surface is durable it isn't exactly easy to keep clean/free of smudges and marks. In a home with perhaps all adults it could work, but shouldn't bother with children about.
When the local laundromat first reopened after a redo with all SS SQ washers, the poor attendent went about nightly polishing each one, even went out and purchased special cleaners/waxes to do so. Apparently that got old fast and soon a spritz of Windex wiped with a paper towel is the best they can manage.
Just white for me. I was never a fan of SS either nor black or bisque for that matter. I'm almost positive that around 10 or so years ago I believe it was Kitchenaid who brought out a line of appliances in a couple of odd colors like a deep purple. Anyone else remember?
I really like coppertone, for a while there was "talk" of a brushed bronze but i have yet to see it. Is stainless steel cleaned with the grain or is it like the old coppertone when wiping and polishing, coppertone that i remember liked small circles like when your wax your car, they were a streaked mess if you wiped them with vertical motion? alr
Oh, the stainless steel surface is more cleanable than just about any other surface. It's just that a polished surface will mar easily. Doen't mean it's dirty, it's just that the polish has been altered. Same for brushed finishes - they should be cleaned in the direction of the grain of the brushing. Go against the grain, and it will look bad.
In hospitals and restaurants the stainless steel surfaces acquire a patina from constant use and cleaning, along with dings and dents, scuffs and scratches. They don't care if it's pretty or not. They care about what the health inspector might find. Fingerprints? So what?
As far as sinks go, I'm thinking the thickest gauge of non-magnetic stainless is the way to go. The finish doesn't matter, really, because it's going to acquire a patina fairly quickly around here. I'm just tired of having to bleach out the stains on the worn porcelain glazed cast iron sink in the kitchen here. It's old and the previous occupant used harsh cleanser on it and wore away the glass layer. I only use Soft Scrub but stains will set very easily on it.
In hospitals and restaurants the stainless steel surfaces acquire a patina from constant use and cleaning, along with dings and dents, scuffs and scratches. They don't care if it's pretty or not. They care about what the health inspector might find. Fingerprints? So what?
As far as sinks go, I'm thinking the thickest gauge of non-magnetic stainless is the way to go. The finish doesn't matter, really, because it's going to acquire a patina fairly quickly around here. I'm just tired of having to bleach out the stains on the worn porcelain glazed cast iron sink in the kitchen here. It's old and the previous occupant used harsh cleanser on it and wore away the glass layer. I only use Soft Scrub but stains will set very easily on it.
I am not a fan of all SS appliances-You have all of them SS and your kitchen looks more like a morgue or hospital lab room!Some color,please!
firedome
Well-known member
I like SS sinks...
but that's about it. They don't chip when you drop a pot in them. As for the rest of the kitchen appliance, bring back Coppertone, Aqua, Pink and Yellow! My 'rents bought a KDS-15 with SS front panels in 1965. with 6 people in the fam, it always looked a mess and was a super PITA to keep clean. In 3 years it was a '68 GE in Avocado Green, much easier to clean.
but that's about it. They don't chip when you drop a pot in them. As for the rest of the kitchen appliance, bring back Coppertone, Aqua, Pink and Yellow! My 'rents bought a KDS-15 with SS front panels in 1965. with 6 people in the fam, it always looked a mess and was a super PITA to keep clean. In 3 years it was a '68 GE in Avocado Green, much easier to clean.
