Black Stainless Steel Kitchen Appliances - Anyone Have Them?
#1
Admirals Club 

Thread Starter

My wife and I are building a new home and getting near time to get the kitchen selections nailed down. We're considering black stainless (Kitchenaid) appliances. Not a ton of info out there on these yet so I'm turning to THT to see if I can get any real life experiences living with these in your kitchens?
#2
Admirals Club 


I have seen them in stores, they look nice. Literally anything is better than actual stainless steel, which is way too played out. Main issue would be fingerprints, and making sure it is easy to clean.
#3
Senior Member

Funny you asked,
we just bought LG black stainless range, micro, and dishwasher. We were replacing some builder-grade GE stainless steel appliances that had a few issues.
We like the look a lot. Fingerprints were our major appearance issue with the regular stainless appliances, and the black SS is not completely smudge-free, but definitely much better. So far, we are very happy with the purchase decision.
we just bought LG black stainless range, micro, and dishwasher. We were replacing some builder-grade GE stainless steel appliances that had a few issues.
We like the look a lot. Fingerprints were our major appearance issue with the regular stainless appliances, and the black SS is not completely smudge-free, but definitely much better. So far, we are very happy with the purchase decision.
#4
Admirals Club 

Thread Starter

I do like the look of it and I'm with you, regular stainless is played out and really hard to keep clean.
#5
Admirals Club 

Thread Starter

Funny you asked,
we just bought LG black stainless range, micro, and dishwasher. We were replacing some builder-grade GE stainless steel appliances that had a few issues.
We like the look a lot. Fingerprints were our major appearance issue with the regular stainless appliances, and the black SS is not completely smudge-free, but definitely much better. So far, we are very happy with the purchase decision.
we just bought LG black stainless range, micro, and dishwasher. We were replacing some builder-grade GE stainless steel appliances that had a few issues.
We like the look a lot. Fingerprints were our major appearance issue with the regular stainless appliances, and the black SS is not completely smudge-free, but definitely much better. So far, we are very happy with the purchase decision.
#7
Admirals Club 


Wife and I just did kitchen remodel and went with Samsung black stainless. Love it so far , we have 3 kids and fingerprints and smudges are a TON better and it is a sharp look
#9
Admirals Club 

#12


Black stainless is a fad. Go with stainless and get yourself a can of Wegmans Stainless steal cleaner. We have all brand new Kitchen Aid stainless and have zero issues with smudges or finger prints.
#13
Admirals Club 


Even in the lower-tier of high-end kitchens, stainless has fallen out of favor the last several years.
Where you see the most use of stainless is in "everyday" kitchens that think stainless adds a commercial or upscale look. These are also the same people that think subway tile is a glamorous or high-end look.
For most residential design trends it really takes a long time for various fads to age out because so many people are trying to look "fancy" and continue to demand finishes, colors, and looks that reached their peak years before.
Putting new stainless appliances in today won't look as out of date as Formica, but it will also not look hip/trendy/high-end to anyone who really pays attention to things.
#15

Most high-end kitchens I have seen in the last several years have been doing either cabinet-matching panels, or truly custom colors that match or complement other areas of the decor. Of course, these are generally also not using appliances from Lowe's or Best Buy.
Even in the lower-tier of high-end kitchens, stainless has fallen out of favor the last several years.
Where you see the most use of stainless is in "everyday" kitchens that think stainless adds a commercial or upscale look. These are also the same people that think subway tile is a glamorous or high-end look.
For most residential design trends it really takes a long time for various fads to age out because so many people are trying to look "fancy" and continue to demand finishes, colors, and looks that reached their peak years before.
Putting new stainless appliances in today won't look as out of date as Formica, but it will also not look hip/trendy/high-end to anyone who really pays attention to things.
Even in the lower-tier of high-end kitchens, stainless has fallen out of favor the last several years.
Where you see the most use of stainless is in "everyday" kitchens that think stainless adds a commercial or upscale look. These are also the same people that think subway tile is a glamorous or high-end look.
For most residential design trends it really takes a long time for various fads to age out because so many people are trying to look "fancy" and continue to demand finishes, colors, and looks that reached their peak years before.
Putting new stainless appliances in today won't look as out of date as Formica, but it will also not look hip/trendy/high-end to anyone who really pays attention to things.
Sure...some go for the panels on their fridge and dishwasher, but ranges, range tops, double ovens are stainless or a color with stainless, there are no panels on Viking ranges/rangetops/cook tops/wall ovens or from any other higher end manufacturer.
Stainless is classic is classic, just like subway tile.
Hop over to Houzz and tell me that stainless is out of favor in high end kitchens.
#16
Admirals Club 


Also, Viking is moving away from all stainless, offering various colors in their Tuscany line, one of their more recent developments:
http://www.vikingrange.com/consumer/...viking-tuscany
#17

Viking has had a rough several years, as this coverage of their parent company product issues lays out: https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/...-this-fia.aspx
Also, Viking is moving away from all stainless, offering various colors in their Tuscany line, one of their more recent developments:
http://www.vikingrange.com/consumer/...viking-tuscany
Also, Viking is moving away from all stainless, offering various colors in their Tuscany line, one of their more recent developments:
http://www.vikingrange.com/consumer/...viking-tuscany
If Viking is struggling, that's because the others that make similar products are getting the business, no because of stainless steal offerings.
#18
Admirals Club 


Lol...you have no clue what you are talking about.
Sure...some go for the panels on their fridge and dishwasher, but ranges, range tops, double ovens are stainless or a color with stainless, there are no panels on Viking ranges/rangetops/cook tops/wall ovens or from any other higher end manufacturer.
Stainless is classic is classic, just like subway tile.
Hop over to Houzz and tell me that stainless is out of favor in high end kitchens.
Sure...some go for the panels on their fridge and dishwasher, but ranges, range tops, double ovens are stainless or a color with stainless, there are no panels on Viking ranges/rangetops/cook tops/wall ovens or from any other higher end manufacturer.
Stainless is classic is classic, just like subway tile.
Hop over to Houzz and tell me that stainless is out of favor in high end kitchens.
Range tops are one area where stainless (good stainless) is practical, if it is a gas range top.
Wall ovens, or other high-heat appliances are not going to use panels, but the true high-end ones are often some color, not stainless, in truly high-end homes.
BTW, I am basing my input here on the fact that as part of my job I have often met high net-worth people in their homes for discussions. I am not looking at Houzz, or going by what the latest neighborhood housewife-turned-decorator says is a hot trend.
Even looking at recently renovated houses in my immediate area that are >$1,000,000 listings (not exactly a high bar) black appliances are the most common (admittedly with stainless gas cooktops when not electric), after matching panels/trim from the cabinets when people have selected higher-end appliances.
#19
Admirals Club 


Wow...they have a lineup of stoves that have colors, which very likely sell in very limited quantities. Things like that have been around for some time for people that want something like that. Far from popular.
If Viking is struggling, that's because the others that make similar products are getting the business, no because of stainless steal offerings.
If Viking is struggling, that's because the others that make similar products are getting the business, no because of stainless steal offerings.
#20
Senior Member