What's the deal with stainless-steel appliances?

mostly aesthetics, they go with anything or any color you want to put in the room.

I, personally, don’t like them. Too sterile.

The refrigerators stay blank because magnets don’t stick to them. No more pictures or notes from your kid, or meaningful comic strips.

@DrBill That’s what I thought too but wasn’t so sure because I’ve seen several instances where the lack of stainless-steel appliances was a deal-breaker for quite a few people in a house that they otherwise really liked…

@Dutchess_III Likewise, they just seem too industrial to me and remind me of the test kitchens at my university. Also, I find the contrast between stainless-steel appliances and wooden cabinets a little weird and out of whack…

@zenvelo Yup, they lack personality.

They look like the stuff the pros use, so they scream “serious cook”. Thank the food channel.

Some people go even further and spend many thousands on hulking commercial stoves like Wolf or Viking, even though they actually under-perform many household stoves and are huge energy wasters.

It’s a fad.

More mechanistic and utilitarian, to make us feel more at home as we gradually become State worshipping automatons.

Magnets don’t stick to them do you have an excuse not to use the tacky refrigerator magnets well meaning relatives try to give you.
Edit:
@zenvelo, I should have read the other answers first.

It’s the latest fashion.
Next it will be Avocado green and Harvest Gold, Coppertone, or Matador Red. Or perhaps Almond, remember when that was all you could find?

The fridge that came with our home holds magnets… Maybe it’s fake?

I wouldn’t have a fridge that won’t hold magnets! Send ‘em to me, @Judi!

Marketing.

Edit: I would purchase some magnetic paper to attach to the appliance so I can put magnets on it.

By happy coincidence, we discovered the door between the family room and the garage is magnetic, and the kids can put up all sorts of things on it. Currently, we have an alphabet poster, and they have magnetic letters they match up.

Actually, it’s only the face of the refrigerator that’s stainless. The sides are gray-painted carbon steel; magnets stick there just like they ever did.

Otherwise, yeah, it’s just the trend of the day. You may as well ask what was it about avocado-colored appliances that made them the rave of the 50s. Even growing up in the 50s I wondered about that, because those things were ugly even then. Time hasn’t improved them.

All I can add is that they are a pain to keep clean. Every fingerprint shows up. Our microwave is stainless and I am not fond of the finish because of that.

Try being in a wedding that was avocado green and harvest gold. I was 5 years old and even then I knew it was just wrong.

Trend.

It’s in style right now. It’s the “contemporary” look. It looks clean and sharp. People are impressed by them.

Easy to clean. When new and shiny, they are really attractive and look great with any color scheme. A few scratch marks later and not so much.

It’s what “in” right now, like white appliances and brass were “in” in the ‘90s. Now that just looks dated and old. Personally, I love stainless steel (although we still have some white appliances at home).

They also want granite counter tops and electric stoves. Some of the house hunters don’t like dark wood cabinets or are extremely adamant about having a huge back yard, which I don’t understand that. It just means more maintenance. I think they want these things is because they look good and can go with pretty much any kitchen theme. Some people tend to go with the flow, not because of what they actually want. I myself am not that crazy about stainless steel or granite. Black or white appliances can go with any kitchen design too.

@AshlynM Agreed. Easy to clean and durable tops the appliance finish list for me.

I think its just easier to match. There are usually 4 large appliances that go in your kitchen.
Fridge, dishwasher and stove oh and microwave. Most people try to match them all.
All white appliances show up any little kitchen grime easily, but does best with light colors.
Dark appliances really show things up because the slightest bit of dirt will dull the shine and can look all too dark if you have dark colors. (It can also make the room look smaller)
Stainless steel is more forgiving with grime and can go with light or dark colors.
So I think it is more about being able to be flexible in the future without having to change all your appliances. Plus if you have smaller appliances that are either black, red or stainless steel, it can all go pretty well together.
I haven’t noticed anything it doesn’t go well with. Hell if you wanted a bright pink kitchen, it will still go well.