Summary for stainless steel finish refrigerators Discussion
stainless steel finish refrigerators are presented here as a style choice with durability tradeoffs. Dori Stroppini asks whether stainless steel is a mistake for a new kitchen, especially with only two adults living there but occasional visits from two small grandchildren, and wonders if a similar-looking finish such as Sears’ ultra satin would be easier to maintain. In response, the answerer says that after seeing hundreds of complaints about stained, discolored, rusted, shiny-spot, and scratched stainless and faux-stainless refrigerators, he believes they offer nothing close to the durability of simple painted appliances and cannot be touched up the same way. He adds that white appliances are less fashionable, but may be the practical choice if durability matters more than trendiness. The advice is blunt: stainless looks current, but painted finishes are easier to live with and repair.
Q. We are building a house in Grass Valley, CA and are attempting to choose our kitchen appliances. We are leaning toward stainless steel but are getting conflicting advice as to its durability. Would we be making a mistake filling our kitchen with it? My husband and I will be the only ones living in the home but we do have two small grandchildren that will visit. Should we go ahead and get the SS or try to find similar looking finish (i.e. ultra satin from Sears)? Is there any other finish that is easier maintenance-wise or are we doomed no matter what we choose?
Dori Stroppini
Home owner, buyer – Grass Valley, California, USA
2007
A. After fielding hundreds upon hundreds of letters from people with stained, discolored, rusted, “shiny spot”, or scratched stainless steel and faux stainless steel refrigerators (search the site), I am convinced that they offer nothing approaching the durability of simple painted appliances, and can certainly not be touched up in similar fashion. Unfortunately, white is almost as “out” as almond and avocado; fashion seems to currently demand stainless steel no matter how overpriced and troublesome it is :-)
If you can bear the scorn from your grandchildren, just buy white appliances :-)
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
2007