Dec 7 2004
While stainless steel appliances such as refrigerators and cooktops are still the items of choice for those who can afford them, rising prices are sending them beyond the reach of the budget conscious.
Observers of the London Metals Exchange would have seen the prices of steel, stainless steel and other metals that go into stainless steels rise sharply in recent times. As an example nickel prices have jumped by 15% in the last year. These price increases have been passed on by appliance manufacturers.
With stainless steel appliances already being priced at a premium over their white finished brothers and sisters, the price increase becomes even harder to bear.
Thankfully the innovative appliance manufacturers have spawned new materials/products to cater for this demand. They have introduced faux stainless steel finishes that look metallic and in many cases do not show finger prints, and this all at an affordable price.
Manufacturers like GE have products like CleanSteel which is a metal laminate finish that resembles stainless steel but does not come with the price tag. Many of these stainless steel-looking appliances still allow you to use fridge magnets, something stainless steel does not offer. On the downside, they tens to be less scratch resistant.
Pricing for faux stainless finished products is generally just above that of the mjore traditional white finishes, yet significantly lower then the stainless steel jobs. However, the demand for products such as these is steadily increasing as people search for the sophisticated appearance stainless steel offers without the added expense.
For more information on stainless steel, click here.