New Appliances in Kitchen

sounds like my dilemma a year ago. we have stainless steel dishwasher, oven and micro with black trim and ended up going with a black fridge. the SS was more money and the black kinda breaks up all the steel..which can be nice but also A LOT of steel, you know. it looks great and i love it. i like to have magnets on it for my son and as for cleaning i wipe it down daily as i would any fridge..just from drips and splats in general. good luck!

It really depends on your taste (of course). Personally, I have dark granite counter tops and cherry colored cabinets so we opted for stainless steal appliances to create some contrast (even thought they are neutral!). They do show finger prints but its nothing that can't be wiped off easily. I see more stainless steal appliances in design magazines than black appliances and I think that stainless steal is a little more modern. Also, are there any appliances that you are keeping? If so, match your appliances to that piece.

Hi M.,
I have polished absolute black granite counters and stainless steel appliances. I L. my stainless steel but HATE my counters! The high polish shows every fingerprint and papertowel fuzz. I would encourage you to buy all the same brand if you go stainless steel as they all look a little different. Magnets also don't work on stainless steel. I didn't even think about that fact until after everything was installed. I now wish I would have gone with a black Corian instead. Easier maintenance and quieter plus having the same color sink without any seams would be nice.
Good luck and enjoy!
L.

We have had stainless forever and love it. We use the aerosole spray can type that you can purchase in the BBQ section at Target. Easy! We have black granite and I would NEVER do that again!!!!! Hand and finger prints everywhere!!!

I would choose stainless. We went with Viking stainelss steel appliances when we re-did out kitchen 5 years ago and LOVE THEM! They clean up nicely with spray on Stainless Steel cleaner. You can get refrigerators with a brushed stainless finish which do not show fingerprints. Magnets don't work on them though (voice of experience). You may wish to re-think a black sink and countertops. We have friends who installed the black pearl granite and you can see every finger print and smudge. Since your kids are still young and at home, you'll be cleaning alot more if you want clean smudge free counters.
Have fun with the planning! We had a blast with our project.

I would suggest stainless. My husband found some wipes that are specially made for cleaning stainless. Our garbage can looked wonderful after he used them. If you get black you won't find them on the black granite (ha, ha).

hello...
the drawbacks are about the same as far as functionality is concerned although i would have to say black shows water spots smudges fingerprints and scratches a little faster than the stainless, i actually got rid of my dishwasher and microwave for this very reason. but as far as resale and home values go, stainless is definitely the way to go, no question about it. also it will lighten up the space as opposed to weighing it down like black appliances often due, reminding you where your walls are and closing you in. whatever your decision, enjoy your new space.
aline

Hi M.,

I have all stainless appliances. Magnets work just fine. I know this because one scratched my new fridge! Oh well, it does look much better without any magnets anyway. My stove is stainless and has a black top/burner surface. I will NEVER EVER EVER buy a stove with a black top again. Even when I don't cook, it looks dirty, dusty etc.

Finally, I absolutely love my dishwasher. It's a dish drawer dishwasher so it's actually two dishwashers in one. I can run the top drawer, the bottom drawer or both. Perfect for making sure I always have sippy cups... Mine is by KitchenAid. You can get fronts to match your cabinets or other appliances. The only downside is that my full size cookie sheets don't fit. I can't remember the other brand that makes the dish drawers. Whoever it is actually manufactures them for KitchenAid. You can see them at Lowe's and Best Buy. I've had mine for about four years. Love it, no problems.

Good luck!

We just recently bought a new refrigerator in stainless look. It is great! It doesn't show fingerprints (and our toddler immediately touched it). And the best news also is that magnets can stick on the front of it in addition to just the side. Those two factors sold us on buying the stainless look versus getting stainless steel. Plus the stainless look is cheaper. It is great not having to worry about the fingerprints. Our stainless steel dishwasher has fingerprints all over it. Wish we knew about the stainless look sooner. Plus, you can't tell the difference between SS and stainless look. Good luck!

SS or "SS looking" is my preference. Don't care for the look of black appliances at all. Have fun!

Hello,

I have stainless steal per kids, if I can go back or when I am ready for another one I will purchase the brush stainless not sure if that is what you call it. It looks like stainless steal but does not leave fingerprints. I am cleaning the appliances everyday.

Hi M., that sounds really nice. My sister did hers in
stainless steel, while my friend did hers in black. Both of them complain about fingerprints. I prefer the stainless steel one. I think all black would be too dark unless you have a very bright kitchen. Right now we are considering changing from white to stainless...good luck

Hi M.,

Can you handle one more vote? Mine is for the all Black. I've had all stainless and now have all Black. My fridge, however has a wood front to match my cupboards. I never realized I would not be able to put a magnet on it. But love it just the same. I have a white fridge in my laundry room that holds all the magnets and pictures.

My reason for black over stainless is that with black the fingerprints etc. show up much less. Take it from a mom who has had both.... Go Black.

Good luck to you and your hard decisions.

L.

Fun, fun, fun!!! We redid our kitchen last summer and I have Kona Beige Silestone (a warm tan with flecks of silver and brown) that matched the cabinets and could have gone stainless or black appliances. My mom has a black-top stove and it drove me nuts trying to get it wiped clean each time. That said....

We bought "stainless-look" appliances--I was standing in Lowe's next to a stainless and a stainless-look fridge. I noticed the fingerprints on the stainless, ran fingers down the SL and *poof* decision made. I bought all stainless-look and didn't look back. No one knows they're not stainless unless I mention it and I can clean them with the washcloth after I do dishes--EASIEST EVER! There are no little bumps/nooks/crannies like on my last fridge and I was even able to clean off the super-sticky-nasty glue from the plastic baseboard that got on the front of my dishwasher. My stove--I guess I was just in a shopping frenzy and didn't realize it had a black top. I'm living my mom's life of trying to get the darn thing wiped clean each time.... :)

Over all--I have two boys and a lab and a husband who considers a "clean" kitchen to mean that the dishes are in the washer or put away but counters don't EVER need wiped down and I would, without a doubt and the next time for sure, go with stainless-look appliances again.

:) (Oh--and I do have a stainless sink--it's so nice to be able to CLEAN it!!! Comet, dishsoap, bleach, etc--they all work and it looks clean each time! No paint to wear off or chip--EXCELLENT!!! :) )

M.

In case this matters to you, magnets don't stick to most stainless appliances. We couldn't do the whole magnetic letter thing w/ our son because of this.

I think stainless steel will age better and look less dated down the line.

I really like our stainless steel appliances. I think they'd go great and contrast nicely with your black countertops. Yes, they show fingerprints, but they're easily wiped off with some white vinegar and a rag. Another nice thing is that your kids are past the age where they are constantly getting hand/fingerprints on them (I have a three year old and an 11 month old and even then, mine are pretty easy to keep clean), so I think you'll find them pretty easy to maintain.

I love the look of stainless steel but it has a major draw back that most people don't know about. Your refrigerator magnets won't stick to it. My boss didn't know this when he redid his kitchen and his wife was really upset when she found out because they keep lots of pictures of their grandkids on the fridge with magnets (or at least they did.)

Always go stainless steel, and they have amazing cleaner at target that is eco-friendly and works great. It is the method stainless steel cleaner, so easy!

I have SS and I see the fingerprints but so what. It's very easy to clean off. I think the look of SS would look better against your countertops than black appliances would. The only drawback is that SS refrigerator doors don't hold magnets only the sides do. Stinks when you want to hang your childs artwork and you want to do it with a magnet but can't so I have to tape it. Enjoy whatever you choose!

I've had both and found both show everything, but black it was more obvious.

One thing to keep in mind, which we didn't, is the size of your dishes and the dishwasher. We bought a Meile and a Fisher Paykel over the years. Let me just say that our standard dinner plates did not fit in the Meile. We bought newer (smaller square-Crate & Barrel) plates that JUST fit in the FP. Take your biggest typical dish (plate, bowl, and glass) with you and try them out. I'll never make that mistake again.
Stephanie

We also have a black composite granite sink and granite "look" counter. We have a black stove and microwave above it, and a stainless steel dishwasher (black trim). (It just turned out that way from the deals we got on floor models.) One day we'll have to replace the fridge, and I hope we can get a deal on a stainless one. I've decided with our kitchen being so small (about 8x8)that the stainless makes it look brighter and bigger. The black appliances have been good, but if we could afford the extra for stainless, I would do it. Just my own opinion... Have fun shopping!

Hi M.,
I'm normally not a fan of stainless--too modern for me, but if I had black countertops, I'd go with the stainless for contrast and interest. Have fun--I've already redone my current home's kitchen, and am busy at work designing a new one for my retirement home. Love it! N.

I would get the clean steel for the refrigerator, because it looks like stainless steel without the fingerprints and that is what will be touched most often. I have black and stainless steel mix for the oven and microwave and they look great together.

I would pick stainless steel. They have 'touch less' stainless steel (a brushed look). If your old appliance still function and some one doesn't already want them give Freecycle a try http://www.freecycle.org/group/United%20States/California... (I have given away lots of stuff -- even a broken frig).

I have a black stove and it's awful! It's so hard to keep clean. Never again will I have a black stove.

I also have a stainless fridge, microwave and dishwasher, and they're fine (except that they do show fingerprints).

If you have a small kitchen or one with little natural light, black will add to it's small feeling and dark look. Stainless steel is reflective and will brighten the space. Most stainless steel refrigerators are not magnetic, so that may factor into your decision.

Hi M.,

In the kitchens I have personally handled, they were specified with stainless steel for the main reason of the "upgrade" factor. On a resale, stainless is a great way to go - it looks great, cleans up pretty well in comparison to black which is quite difficult to keep spotless.

It truly is personal preference with the finishes in your home. Stainless with black trim is a nice option. If you haven't already, you may want to check out as many kitchens as possible to get a feel for what you personally enjoy.

Sounds like a great adventure - enjoy!

L.

s/s is great and goes with anything...just keep a bottle with 1/2 water and 1/2 vinager on hand and fringer prints and smudger vanish with a couple of wipes.

go stainless for sure! think of your resale value, its all about the stainless. plus it looks so much nicer. i find it very easy to clean.

I have a black frig, dish washer and a built in microwave. If the stove ever dies, I will get a black stove also versus white or almond. I have always had white or almond appliances in the past, but my home now has the black, and I love it. Kathy

Hi M.,

Stainless steel, definitely.

-M

Free opinion from an interior designer:
Too much black gets gloomy and overwhelming unless your kitchen is huge and has a lot of windows.
The fact that magnets don't stick to the stainless steel fridge is a GOOD thing - no clutter.
We have STainless with black handles and trim and it could be a nice compromise for you between all black or all stainless.
As for cleaning - we bought all the expensive cleansers and wipes for stainless - they suck.
Good old Windex & paper towels and a little elbow grease works great.
However, I don't really love my stainless gas stove top - it's a Whirlpool and has a lot of little gaps and crannies that are a huge pain to clean and the stainless scratches as you scrub off the cooked on gunk. maybe a black cook top would be a good choice - it'll still show spots but at least you can scrub it! Nature's Orange De-Greaser cleans it great as well as my tile backsplash and hood.
I did find that granite cleaner works best to make it really pretty and streak-free for when you want to show off - and it's a pleasant smell.
I agree with some of the other mama's a black sink will be a big maintenance issue especially if you have hard water.
Stock up on Barkeeper's Friend or Bon Ami.
;)

My mother used to clean houses for a living and she swears that you should never go stainless steel as they are 10x harder to clean than the black. She has also had stains that she could not get out of stainless steel. I have black appliances with my granite countertops and love them.

Yay! A fun question!

I personally LOVE stainless steel, and have it, but you will have to be committed to frequently wiping off fingerprints, and goo. You sure find out how gross things can get when you have stainless steel. You don't need any fancy cleaning product -- I use a wet rag with Fantastic and then dry it with a dry rag. It only takes a minute or two.

But the decision is up to you. Black is nice also. It really depends on your decor and what you like, and the color of the granite. Both black and stainless are modern and elegant. You could also mix them. I have a stainless fridge, toaster and microwave, but a black stove and dishwasher. Too much stainless can be a little cold, and leave you with a little too much fingerprint wiping.

In regard to Love's problem with the magnets -- my fridge has a stainless door and black sides, so I can still use the magnets.

Go for black! We chose stainless steel and I HATE the finger prints!!

We have a brushed stainless refridgerator that shows no fingerprints. No sure if all appliances come in the same finish but we love it. We had one at our old house and bought the same one at our new house.

Hi M.,

We bought a stainless steel refrigerator and it always has finger prints and other marks on it.

Seems black would be better as long as the black isn't too "glossy". Or maybe there is a type of stainless steel finish that doesn't show all of the marks.

Good luck,
W.

I have SS and don't like it. It is very hard to keep clean looking. Plus the frig doesn't hold any magnets.

I have a mix of both and when you have children I find it difficult to keep anything clean! However I find that it s 6 of one and half a dozen of another and not that big of a difference to prevent you from just getting what you like better. They have special cleaners for stainless and the the wipes work well at cleaning up both the black and stainless afterwards. Wipes clean up fingerprints easily. It is the grease that shows up more on the black so after washing it uo I dry it off with seperate dry towels.
FYI if you want tio hang your kids art pictures on the refrigerator, magnents don;t work on stainless. 8*)

We have stainless steel and all the finger prints show up on it. It does not bug me too much so it is not a big deal. If you are looking for a good place to go to get the appliances you should check out CG Appliances Express in San Carlos. The Sale person is George he is very helpful and will not pressure you into anything.