Black Stainless Steel

More thoughts on Black Stainless SteelChoices about at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterIt looks like almost everyone has jumped on the Black Stainless bandwagon when it comes to appliance finishes. KitchenAid introduced a Black Stainless Steel refrigerator only a couple of years ago. Since then, Samsung has launched an entire line of Black Stainless Steel, along with LG. However, Dacor, a Samsung owned company, appears to be the only luxury brand to enter the Black Stainless fray with their new Modernist collection.Frigidaire appears to be jumping into the Black Stainless appliance pool with a full-line offering. Parent company, Electrolux, has yet to announce its intentions with their premium Electrolux offering. Similarly, Bosch has introduced a dishwasher in Black Stainless, presumably to be followed with a full line. However, Bosch's high end brands, such as Thermador, and Gaggenau have not made a move in this direction.It seems clear that this finish has a definite appeal for Millennials, and will find a home not in the entry level, but in the upgrade offerings of the popular brands GE, Frigidaire, and Whirlpool; as well as the Korean brands Samsung, and LG who have carved out a strong offering for Millennials.Notably, Whirlpool's super premium brand, Jenn-Air does not have Black Stainless, nor does GE's luxury brand, Monogram.Here's the good news. Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center is your headquarters for major appliances regardless of brand or finish. They carry all the major brands as well as most of the specialty brands, and an interesting selection

Selective Use of Appliance ColorsBrighten Your Home with Colorful AppliancesWe've written often about appliance colors and finish. Trends such as stainless steel appliances, and now black stainless steel appliances are regular topics throughout the industry. Most of what we see is buyers considering matching kitchen suites, e.g. range, refrigerator, dishwasher, and vent hood.However, there are some bold and daring ideas out there about using a colorful appliance to brighten a kitchen. Here's an example from Bertazzoni, an up and coming appliance brand from Italy:Can you picture having a bright spot like this in your kitchen? Is it too daring? Certainly, bright colors are not new when it comes to kitchen appliances. Here's a retro appliance package below in a newly remodeled kitchen.I do remember when appliance colors found their way to the laundry room. Colorful, big, front-load washing machines helped make front-loaders popular. Buyers got so caught up in their bright red washing machine, they didn't seem to care about the brand or the features. "What the heck? All washers are going to get my clothes clean. THIS ONE IS RED."But, we digress. BlueStar has led the way with their many custom colors, and finishes:BlueStar appliances are available in a painter’s palette of colors and finishes. Select from 750+ colors plus textured finishes to turn up the heat on discerning kitchen design. Or, send us a sample of your favorite color and we will create a custom color for a look that is uniquely your own. Unleash your inner designer

Get the Latest Appliances at UAKCSee the Newest Appliances at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterIt seems like there is a long time between trends in appliances, and then suddenly everybody has something new going on. Now is one of those times when new trends seem to be taking off. Here are two big trends that could be with us for a while.Black Stainless Steel We've written about Black Stainless Steel before (see link below). It's got a good chance of being successful. It's very doubtful that it will replace Stainless Steel, but that doesn't mean that it won't carve out a niche of its own. Probably the biggest downside is the lack of consistency among brands. KitchenAid's Black Stainless Steel is a true black finish on metal. Samsung's Black Stainless Steel has a shiny luster (seems like a clear coating). LG's Black Stainless Steel looks more like a gray than black. Nevertheless, consumers seem to like these finishes. Time will tell.NEW APPLIANCE FINISHESConnected (Smart) AppliancesIt's happening folks. Smart appliances are here. There isn't just one solution, but a whole range of features available on appliances that "connect" our appliances with us or other devices and perform a variety of functions. Unlike a new appliance color or finish, there is less of a need for brands to adopt a common platform (though it would be nice). We're seeing appliances that connect with your smart phone, appliances with cameras inside, and appliances that will email you if you leave the door open.

Review of the Latest Appliance FinishesChoices of Appliance Finishes Abound at UAKCThe last half of the 20th century began with most appliances having porcelain enamel on steel cabinets. Porcelain was durable and easy to clean, but the manufacturing process was expensive, porcelain was subject to chipping, and was not environmentally friendly. Eventually, porcelain enamel disappeared in appliance cabinets to be replaced by steel with powder coat painted exteriors or stainless steel. In the last decade, we've begun to see some different choices in appliance exteriors. While painted surfaces remain a standard for base appliances, more expensive stainless steel is enormously popular. In recent years, we've seen new smudge-proof Frigidaire and fingerprint resistant stainless steel in Maytag brand and others. They're still stainless steel, but they have properties that eliminate or greatly reduce the possibility of smudges and fingerprints. European luxury brand, Miele, has introduced a fingerprint resistant steel called CleanTouch, as a replacement to stainless steel.Even more recently, Black Stainless Steel has hit the appliance market and appears to be taking off. Black Stainless Steel is essentially stainless steel base metal with black painted finish. KitchenAid was the first to Black Stainless Steel, and it seemed to take off slowly. But now, it is available in more brands and seems to be rapidly taking hold as an alternative to the shiny stainless steel we see everywhere. Here are some of the brands that are now offering Black Stainless Steel appliances:Brands offering Black Stainless SteelKitchenAidSamsungLGDacorMaytagFrigidaire

Latest Appliances at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterBlack Stainless SteelA quick look around the major appliance displays at the January 2017 *IBS/KBIS confirmed that the new color/finish Black Stainless is THE big trend in appliance colors. Of course, stainless steel is not going anywhere. In a recent survey, 72% of respondents opted for stainless steel. Truth is, there are tons of appliance colors out there. The custom high end range company BlueStar offers several hundred colors, many of them quite stunning. Luxury appliance brands such as Viking, Bertazzoni, La Cornue, and others also offer their appliances in a variety of colors. But for many of us these brands might not be realistic options, and the bright colors aren't for everyone.Voilà! Black Stainless is here to save they day. It's new and it's different. It really looks classy, but I wouldn't call it bold or risky. After all, it's a combination of the two most popular appliance colors. As near as I can determine KitchenAid was the first major appliance brand to offer Black Stainless steel. Recently, Samsung jumped on the Black Stainless bandwagon, followed now by Whirlpool, Frigidaire, GE, Electrolux, and LG. I do know that some supplementary brands are on board with this new finish such as Sharp (microwaves) and at least one of the vent hood manufacturers, Zephyr.I think Black Stainless looks good in the photos, but even better when you see it and touch it. Believe it

Are Stainless Steel Appliances on the way out?Don't bet against Stainless SteelEvery so often we hear some predictions that stainless steel is on the way out as an appliance finish. Is that like to happen soon? No. Stainless steel is going to be the top choice for appliance buyers for years to come. Here's how it stands today:New constructionProduction home builders usually offer a base appliance package in white or black with an upgrade to stainless steel. Upgrading to stainless steel appliances continues to be a very popular choice for new home buyers.Custom homesProfessional/Restaurant style appliances are a top choice for custom homes buyers. Several of the top brands in this category only offer stainless steel, though some color selection is an option for Viking and Bertazzoni brands. (BlueStar, a pro-style line of cooking products has a very wide selection of colors.) In addition some elite luxury brands such as Le Cornue offer a selection of designer colors.Remodels and replacement salesCustomers who choose to replace their kitchen appliances from the popular entry level appliance brands, eg. GE, Whirlpool, and Frigidaire, available in white, black or stainless steel will almost always upgrade to stainless steel (except for basic apartment replacement sales). Though premium brands such as KitchenAid, GE Profile, or Bosch may be available in white and/or black, their sales skew heavily toward stainless steel. Kitchenaid has recently introduced a finish called black stainless steel that is getting a lot of attention.Whatever

Save on KitchenAid at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterRebates of up to $1500 on KitchenAidKitchenAid made its name as an innovator many years ago with the first automatic dishwasher. For decades the KitchenAid name was synonymous with dishwasher. Today, of course, Kitchenaid is a leading brand in premium major appliances. It's a category that I refer to as "affordable luxury", or high-end appliances without the luxury appliance pricing.Outside of the dishwasher, KitchenAid also has some superb cooking products being a leader in convection technology, and an early adopter with induction cooktops. KitchenAid also introduced the first French Door model Built-In refrigerator/freezer. Also an innovator in style, KitchenAid has recently launched the black stainless steel collection of appliances. Here's what KitchenAid has to say about this new collection:THE COLOR OF CREATIVITYBlack stainless steel makes a bold addition to any kitchen. The soft, brushed metal of the black stainless is offset by chrome details and satin-textured handles. And with a PrintShield™ Finish that resists fingerprints and smudges, your appliances will stay as stunning as ever.THE FIRST-EVER BLACK STAINLESS STEELThe premium color of KitchenAid appliances is a softer, warmer alternative to traditional stainless steel. Designed to blend with other black and stainless appliances, it makes a bold statement and complements the kitchen design. Now, your purchase of KitchenAid appliances at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center can also earn you rebates totaling up to $1500. Click below to visit the UAKC KitchenAid rebate page:For more information about KitchenAid and other major appliances or decorative