At a Glance:
Pros and Cons of Black Stainless Steel Appliances
What Color Cabinets Go with Black Stainless Steel Appliances?
Are Black Stainless Steel Appliances Right for You?
The 4 Best Black Stainless Steel Appliances
Black stainless steel appliances are one of the newest and most popular kitchen trends that homeowners are loving. As a homeowner, you may ask, is the trend sticking around? Is it worth changing your appliance's aesthetics? Luckily, most kitchen appliances can be found in black stainless steel — everything from microwaves to dishwashers can be found to match your kitchen, with full lines from big-brand names like Samsung and KitchenAid.
Because black stainless steel is new, some questions come with it. Below we will talk through some of those questions like the pros and cons of black stainless steel if the appliances are meant for your home, and some of the best black stainless steel on the market. Hopefully, after our review, you will have a better idea of what you are looking to add to your kitchen.
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In-Stock NowPros and Cons of Black Stainless Steel Appliances
Black stainless steel is like traditional stainless steel that is found on most appliances. The difference is that black stainless steel has a protective finish overtop that creates the sleek black finish that has been very popular as of late. It can create a new, modern look to your kitchen, creating a bold impression that will make your kitchen space pop with elegance and class.
If you are considering replacing your current appliances with black stainless steel appliances, it is best to consider both the pros and cons of making the switch. There will be pros and cons to every decision so it can only be your choice on what makes something worth buying. But the consensus regarding black stainless steel can be found below.
✅ Nearly Resistant to Fingerprints and Smudging
Black stainless steel, along with its nature as stainless steel, hides smudges and fingerprints better than traditional stainless steel. Its color and matte sheen go hand in hand when trying to create a clean kitchen look. This can help if you have little hands wanting to get in the refrigerator or for some after-dinner smudges on your oven!
This feature is not found in classic stainless steel as metallic stainless steel can sometimes intensify fingerprints or streaks from cleaning.
✅ Easy to Clean
Inevitably, a day will come when you need to clean your kitchen appliances. Thankfully, black stainless steel is easy to clean (it’s basically the same as any other metallic appliances) with no special cleaners necessary.
A black stainless steel appliance can be easily wiped down with a microfiber cloth and warm soapy water or with your favorite multi-surface cleaner. Make sure to avoid abrasive cleaners like bleach or harsh materials like scouring pads so as to not harm the exterior of your appliance.
✔ Note: Avoid using vinegar or other strong chemicals on the surface of your black stainless steel appliances. They can damage the black matte coating and reveal the underneath metallic stainless steel.
Related: 3 Tips for Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances
✅ Timeless Color
It is not a secret that black is a classic color that can withstand various appliance and kitchen trends. Black can be matched with many colors and shades and can be a nice addition to warm and cool tones along with other neutral colors. Some homeowners may look to black stainless steel as a way to highlight natural wood tones. Black stainless steel can also be used as a statement piece for your kitchen. Its ability to serve a kitchen space, either way, is truly unique to see and opens up many horizons in your kitchen.
❌ Prone to Scratching
Due to the black stainless steel only being a colored finish on top of metallic stainless steel, scratches can be easily shown on that surface coasting is etched off. This is due to the stark difference between a metallic scratch against a black stainless steel background.
While the coating is meant to be sturdy and to withstand everyday scratches and nicks, things happen. If you do end up with one of these scratches, most appliance manufacturers will sell touch-up paint to fix small nicks and scratches.
❌ Clashing Black Finishes from Different Manufacturers
An obvious con to owning black stainless steel is that every brand will have a different way of creating its black stainless steel exterior color. These shades could vary in both darkness and the sheen of the surface. So, it may be worth the money and time to stick with the same brand of the appliance if you’d like all your black stainless steel to match.
This could be a con to anyone who does not have the budget to completely renovate and upgrade all appliances at once. It can also be a disadvantage to those who are desperate for appliances, but some models remain out of stock.
There are some trends of matching classic stainless steel appliances with black stainless steel to create a sleek look. This could be a good option for those who want to create a statement piece.
❌ Black Stainless Steel Costs More
Due to their trendy appeal, some black stainless steel appliances cost more than their silvery stainless steel counterparts. With any sort of stainless steel, you are looking for an increased price compared to a plain matte white or black model of your appliance. But the jump to black stainless from traditional stainless steel can be anywhere from $200 to $300 more for the same appliance model.
Some interior designers look at it as an investment in your home by upgrading your appliances. Upgraded appliances will bring ease into your life with new features and functions, in addition to a new and modern look to your space.
What Color Cabinets Go with Black Stainless Steel Appliances?
This answer depends on the look you are going for in your kitchen. If you want a masculine or bold look, opt for dark natural wood cabinets. On the other hand, if you are looking for a bright and crisp-looking kitchen, stick with all-white cabinets or cabinetry in a lighter shade. The black stainless steel appliances will complement the light cabinets and vice-versa.
Are Black Stainless Steel Appliances Right for You?
If you are always looking for the next big trend, black stainless steel kitchen appliances may be for you. Starting in the 2010s, black stainless steel appliances started to emerge in the kitchen. They have been seen in all sorts of kitchens ranging from modern to farmhouse-styled kitchens.
Black stainless steel appliances can complement any kitchen. Depending on how you style it, you can make the appliances your focal point or have them complement another aspect of your kitchen.
The 4 Best Black Stainless Steel Appliances
Below are four of the best black stainless steel appliances found on the market today. We have gathered different types of appliances, ranging from small appliances like microwaves and dishwashers to large appliances like refrigerators to oven ranges.
Bosch 800 Series 1.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Over the Range Microwave
This Bosch 800 Series Black Stainless Steel Over-the-Range Microwave includes convection cooking skills so you can use it as a second oven! It also has a large cooking interior that gives you the freedom and flexibility to cook various foods. And because it is installed over your range, you do not need to sacrifice your counter space for your microwave any longer. Also, while giving you more counter space, this black stainless steel microwave will remove steam, smoke, grease, and odors that come from your range!
✅ Our Favorite Bosch HMV8044U microwave review: “This is our second Bosch microwave, we love it. Our first one lasted over 17 years. I highly recommend these products they are wonderful and beautiful to look at.”
Samsung 17.5 Cu. Ft. Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator
This gorgeous Samsung French Door Refrigerator creates a seamless fit into any kitchen. Its counter-depth fit means that it install into the same depth as many common counters for a high-end look without the cost of istallation. The French door model ha a decent amount of space for holding all of your food and creates flexible fridge shelves that will mold to your home’s needs. Samsung’s SmartThings App will give you updates regarding your refrigerator, even letting you know if you have left your door open for too long!
✅ Our Favorite Samsung RF18A5101SG refrigerator review: “So spacious and easy to maintain an organized food storage system… We LOVE it!!”
KitchenAid® 24" PrintShield™ Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher
This KitchenAid Black Stainless Steel Dishwasher keeps your kitchen running smoothly, and quietly. Its 44-decibel run cycle will make you forget you have a dishwasher running! It also has a flexible third row, which is used to hold your small kitchen tools and allows you to get all your dishes in one load. An advanced clean water washing system allows you to clean everything all at once, from your delicate glassware to your dirtiest pots. With a built-in dishwasher design, this model will look great in any kitchen space.
✅ Our favorite KitchenAid KDTM604KBS dishwasher review: “This dishwasher has met and exceeded expectations. It's very quite and gets everything perfectly clean. My plastic ware is even dry and no fingerprints on the stainless. I would highly recommend buying.”
LG 30” Stainless Steel Electric Built-In Oven/Microwave Combo
The LG Black Stainless Steel Electric Oven and Microwave Combo will become your best kitchen helper by keeping your oven and microwave in the same place. This oven/microwave combo has a sleek and practical design with glass controls that will make operating your oven easy. And the convenience does not stop there, the oven has LG EasyClean® which is their fastest oven-cleaning design yet; in just 10 minutes you can quickly wipe away the leftover mess!
✅ Our favorite LG LWC3063BD oven review: “LG has developed an ideal speed and steam oven combination. The ovens deliver great results deliver an added versatility that I find to be the ideal unit. I highly recommend this unit!”
Overall, black stainless steel appliances offer a bold and modern alternative to homeowners who like the idea of metal appliances but want something more unique than traditional stainless steel. These appliances might not be as versatile as stainless steel appliances, but they’re still pretty flexible when it comes to coordinating with color schemes and kitchen styles. One of the best ways to see if you’re fan is by seeing them in person. At Friedmans Appliance, we offer the largest living kitchen in the nation, along with a showroom of appliances in an assortment of finishes for you to be able to compare black stainless steel appliances to other popular colors. Visit us in-store or shop online to explore all the latest color combinations.
Why Trust Friedmans Appliance?
Established in 1922, Friedmans Appliance has been the most trusted name in the Bay Area for over 100 years. What started as a small appliance store in Oakland has expanded to include every appliance you need for your home. Our commitment to value, inspiration, and character has only grown, creating an unbeatable reputation for top-notch appliances. At Friedmans, we strive to give our customers the best of the best, including our selection of top appliance brands and our exceptional customer service. Speaking of which, we offer a 100-day price guarantee on all our products — the longest in the industry!
Our wide selection of appliances is just one of the reasons we’re the best Bay Area appliance store. We carry refrigerators in every style, every cooking appliance to show off your chef skills, and every dish care and laundry appliance you need for cleanup.
Shop Black Stainless Steel Appliances at Friedmans
See for yourself why Friedmans is a trusted name in the Bay Area and shop appliances online today. While we are located in Pleasant Hill, we deliver to all of Northern California — even Reno! If you have any questions, our team is always happy to help you design your kitchen with black stainless steel appliances, whether you call us at 925-808-2950, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by our appliance store in Pleasant Hill to experience the quality in person. Visit us today!
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