Stainless Steel has New Challengers

What’s the future of kitchen appliances?  That’s a question that no one quite knows for sure, but industry trends can always allow us to make predictions.

Predicting trends in kitchens can be difficult considering how many different manufacturers are competing for the next big thing.  Usually what is possible is finding generalized shifts in what customers are asking for and what the trendsetters are getting in their home.

New Challengers for Stainless Steel

Stainless steel kitchen appliances have been sizzling hot for years.

But lately its dominance is being challenged by new colors and finishes, as appliance companies suspect consumers are tiring of the same old exterior on their ovens and refrigerators.  While stainless steel continues to be the most selected material in kitchen appliances, the competitors are becoming more visible in the market.

Manufacturer Whirlpool, wants homeowners to think outside of the “stainless steel box” with its new White Ice collection.  It does seem like a refreshing new flavor as an alternative to stainless steel, and could possibly be a major player in the future of kitchen appliances.

Whirlpool’s white finish features a stainless steel trim on the handles as well as mirrored glass, keeping it from being a plain white appliance.  Normally, white appliances have white handles, black appliances have black handles, and the same with stainless steel.  So the steel-on-white is certainly something customers are showing interest in, even if they do eventually decide against it.  With this strategy they are attempting to ease the public into this new idea, without dropping stainless steel entirely just yet. 

General Electric also has a new finish for kitchen appliances as well. Slate is a warm gray metallic with more of a matte finish than stainless steel.  Many have come to favor the slate over the granite these days to give themselves more of a unique and original appearance for their space. The appliances are accented with bold, brushed metal handles and knobs.  Wolf recently launched the E Series Black Glass Oven, pronouncing that "black is the new stainless steel." The luxury ovens feature highly reflective black glass. 

These new finishes aren't a radical change from stainless steel.  However, they are a definite alteration from what we’ve been used to seeing for the last decade or so in the kitchen industry.  They're meant to bring the same modern feeling to a kitchen, and like stainless steel, blend seamlessly with popular kitchen decor, such as granite and natural stone.

But new finishes could be tough to sell because most appliances are purchased individually to replace one that has died, rather than an entire set in one swift transaction.  Given that, the White Ice customer likely is either remodeling a kitchen or purchasing a home.  There are certainly more customers replacing a single appliance than remodeling a whole room or building a new house from scratch.

Stainless steel reflects, so to speak, the contemporary, upscale lifestyle portrayed in cooking and interior design magazines. Many new homes and others being renovated have large inviting kitchens where families often hang out.

If there is a con for stainless steel, it could be that it’s a hard surface to thoroughly clean.  Also, magnets don't always stick on the surface very well.  Magnetism isn’t a huge factor for most home owners, but for those with kids or those who like to keep a notepad with clean countertops, this could be a minor setback.  General Electric’s Slate takes magnets so your kids' pictures can appear on the fridge

Stainless might have reached a plateau as a new age, trendy kitchen fashion statement, but consumers apparently are still in love with it.  While manufacturers are trying to change that, kitchen and bath installers are well aware of the situation and do not plan on changing their marketing efforts anytime soon.

So while you’re planning your home renovation or new kitchen space, remember that there are other options out there besides stainless steel.  While Whirlpool, General Electric, Wolf and other manufacturers will continue to come up with attempts for the next big trend, as of right now it appears stainless steel still has the industry on lock .