These Trendy Kitchen Appliances Have Some Huge Hidden Downsides

Finding the right kitchen appliances involves many important factors. Not only do you have to make sure the appliances can fit into your spaces correctly, but you'll also need to consider features and finish colors. Still, trendy kitchen appliances you might see everywhere now often come and go later, whether it's due to aesthetics or practicality. The same applies to black stainless steel appliances. If your heart is set on a beautiful-looking refrigerator, oven, or dishwasher in black stainless steel, you should be aware that this color can sustain damage and show more signs of wear and tear sooner than other types of appliance finishes.

Black stainless steel appliances were first introduced in the mid-2010s, and they quickly gained popularity as an alternative to traditional stainless steel. For one, many homeowners appreciate the sleek appearance of the color, which can arguably transform the look of any kitchen into a more luxurious space. Black stainless steel is also easier to clean than traditional stainless steel. All you need is a microfiber cloth and warm water to clean the exterior, with no chemical-based products required. Unlike regular stainless steel, black finishes are also said to be less prone to showing fingerprints and smudges, which means you may not have to wipe the surface as often to keep your appliances looking new. As with any appliance, though, black stainless steel also has downsides you'll have to weigh against its benefits before you decide to make any big purchases. 

While black stainless steel is less likely to show everyday messes compared with traditional stainless steel, it can scratch easily. This boils down to the black-colored coating that's applied to the steel during the manufacturing process. Since regular stainless steel doesn't have this coating, it's not prone to these types of surface scratches. Anyone who has black stainless steel appliances will likely tell you that any seemingly harmless move near a black stainless steel appliance will leave behind scratches. Having pets, children, or a smaller kitchen with little room to move around could be reasons regular stainless steel appliances are not going out of style in favor of black versions.

If black stainless steel gets damaged enough, it may start to peel. As with surface scratches, the peeling is the result of damage to the outer coating and is not something you would typically see in regular stainless steel or white kitchen appliances. Both surface scratches and peeling are irreversible. You may be able to buy a kit to help fill in these damages, but complete restoration of the appliance is unlikely.

There are some brands of black stainless steel appliances that are scratch-resistant, thanks to a lack of surface finish. With that said, these tend to be pricier, and you can run into the problem of not being able to mix and match appliances in the long-run. You might want to consider buying black stainless steel as part of a kitchen appliance package for a better deal and to ensure the black finishes match exactly. If you already have black stainless steel or are still considering these appliances, just know you will need to take extra care around them.