Clean Touch Steel

Surprising Differences in Stainless Steel AppliancesSee them all at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterManufacturers began using stainless steel in appliances because of its appearance as well as its durability, and resistance to corrosion. Today, they also use stainless steel because buyers want the stainless look in their kitchens.Categories of Stainless SteelThere is stainless steel and then there is stainless steel. All stainless steels are not created equal. The metallurgists among us will point out that there are 5 different categories of stainless steel: martensitic, ferritic, austenitic, duplex (ferritic-austenitic), and precipitation-hardening stainless steels.The vast majority of major appliances are made of 304 (austenitic) type stainless steel or 430 (ferritic) stainless steel. Even within these two different categories there are different grades, gauges, and finishes. Moreover, some manufacturers will use different types of stainless steel on the same appliances. For example, a dishwasher tub might have different stainless steel than the dishwasher door. Some stainless steel has superior fabrication characteristics, while others works better in specific temperature ranges, or is more corrosion resistant.Stainless Steel Finishes and CoatingsYour stainless steel appliance also has a finish called a "grain" that goes in a certain direction. On some appliances and in some lighting, the grain is more noticeable than others. Also, there are a few appliance manufacturers that offer stainless steel appliances with a protective coating. Frigidaire promotes their Smudge-Proof™ line of appliances that does a great job of hiding fingerprints. Some KitchenAid stainless steel appliances are made with clear

Smudge-Proof™, Cleansteel™ or Clean Touch Steel™Available on Frigidaire Gallery®, GE, or Miele Appliances"No Fingerprint" Appliances at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterStainless steel is the most desirable and most popular finish for kitchen appliances. In spite of its popularity, homemakers continue to complain about the need to constantly wipe and polish their stainless steel appliances to rid them of fingerprints. Now, Frigidaire is promoting Smudge-Proof™ appliances on their Frigidaire Gallery® line of appliances. It's true. At last week's Design and Construction Week trade show in Las Vegas, the Frigidaire Gallery® display welcomed my oily fingers and despite several tries nary a fingerprint was visible. Here's Frigidaire's exact claim:Frigidaire Gallery® offers an exclusive line of Smudge-Proof™ Stainless Steel kitchen appliances with a protective coating, making it effortless to keep your kitchen looking beautiful.So, if you want to avoid the hassle of the most common complaint of stainless steel appliance owners consider Smudge-Proof™ Frigidaire Gallery® appliances.It's worth noting that GE has something called Cleansteel™ which is a laminate finish (except for ranges) with the look of stainless, but without the fingerprints. GE ranges with the Cleansteel™ designation are designed to match the Cleansteel™ refrigerators and dishwashers, but do not have the laminate coating, because the laminate will not stand up to the heat from a range. Here's GE's description of Cleansteel™:The Look of Stainless Without the FingerprintsYou want to see your child's fingerpainting masterpieces displayed on the family refrigerator, not her fingerprints.With CleanSteel, you get the look of