If you watch almost any home buying, flipping or design show on HGTV, it’s no secret that having “stainless steel appliances (and granite countertops)” in a kitchen is considered paramount. This is painfully obvious thanks to show to show/episode to episode repetition of giddy exclamations from a wide cast of “real” characters over properties well equipped with appliances in the shiny metal finish or their collective gasps of deal breaking, horror when a kitchen is void of stainless steel (hint: you can buy new appliances people). Well, HGTV show participants be advised… Whirlpool, the world’s leading manufacturer of major home appliances, is attempting to dull the alluring luster of your beloved stainless steel with its new White Ice Collection.
The new collection’s sophisticated and stylish looking refrigerators, wall ovens, ranges, microwaves and dishwashers feature white, mirrored-glass and silver accents with clean lines and simplified controls for ease of use. Looks pretty slick. In regard to the white/silver combo, we certainly prefer it to a possible modern resurrection of the avocado colored appliances we grew up with in the 70′s.
So why is a new kitchen appliance collection so intriguing to WYSK? For several reasons that we’ll get to shortly, but let’s hear from the experts first. OvenInfo.com writer Liam McCabe pointed out in his July 26 review of Whirlpool’s Ice Collection, “… for the first time in at least a decade, the exterior of a major-brand, top-end appliance line isn’t strictly stainless steel.” Hhmmm. Another OvenInfo.com writer noted in an earlier White Ice review, “The combination of a white finish, stainless handles and mirrored glass appear to have a lot in common with Apple’s popular design language.” Ah hah!
We find these observational factoids really interesting from both a consumer and cultural anthropology perspective, which is why we’re talking about it. But, moreover, smart and savvy women should know about the latest trends in kitchen appliances for two reasons: 1) women control 80-90% of every consumer purchase decision being made right now 2) for the first time in history, single women are buying homes at more than twice the rate of single men – buying one out of every five properties sold in the U.S. making women responsible for 25% of all home purchases, which we posted about in January.
So does the debut of White Ice truly signify a shift in the culture of home appliances as the Whirlpool press release declares? Not necessarily, according to OvenInfo.com, “Almost all of the upcoming major-brand premium kitchen lines will still be stainless. Stainless is cheap to make, relatively easy to clean, and has become the standard for kitchen design-sensibilities don’t change overnight.”
Whether Whirlpool’s bold move is the start of an aesthetic tipping point for home appliance design or not, we long for the day when someone on House Hunters walks into a kitchen and refreshingly turns to the realtor and says, “Ummmm… no White Ice appliances. That’s going to be a problem.”
It will be interesting to see how long this new “color” lasts. What will they come up with after this? And as far as House Hunters is concerned, I’d like to see a few buyers who don’t insist on a “move in ready house”. Haven’t they ever heard of paint brushes?
Whirlpool appliance fan since 1976
I am thrilled that Whirlpool is offering an alternative to stainless, which I don’t think is easy to clean at all!!!! I wonder if White Ice will be easier to maintain? By the way . . . I am still using my refrigerator (purchased new in 1976) . . . it is “coppertone” . . . I was hoping if I waited long enough that it would come back in style (just kidding). I am more into function over form. I see the outside of the White Ice refrigerator is black and I don’t care for that at all (it shows dust daily AND for those of us who have the outside of the refrigerator exposed, it is not attractive). Why can’t Whirlpool offer an alternative exterior on the top and sides? Anyway, I just commented because I think stainless appliances are over-rated, over priced, and thanks to HGTV . . . overused. Do you think my next Whirlpool refrigerator will last 36 years? Durability . . . there’s an old idea Whirlpool could make new again.
Michelle
I have seen the whole collection and the entire casing is white on each appliance, not black. The picture above is the cabinet surrounding the fridge. And they are beautiful in person!!
Chester Burnett
My wife and I just purchased the “White Ice” refrigerator and microwave. We’ll be picking up the stove and dishwasher in a few weeks. We both felt like the stainless craze can’t last forever. It’s had a good run but whatever comes along next, white will always be in style. Especially in a couple of years when 90 percent of the world has a stainless fridge that’s “so 2010″. In person these appliances are very striking with clean lines on all the accents. The touches of stainless really “class it up” and pick up on the other stainless accents in our lighting, cabinet handles and counter top appliances. Also the sides are white, not black as the previous poster suggested. I think that’s part of the cabinetry you see in the photo above.
“White Ice” it sound like something you would snort in the 80s
Kate
Will the “Ice White” color stay that way? Because I’m pretty sure the whole reason everyone started buying black or stainless appliances was because the white ones get the horrible yellowish tinge after a while, just like old computers did…
nora galdiero
I clean houses for a living. I can testify that white appliances are by far the easiest to keep clean. I will be buying white appliances for my own home.
http://WomenYouShouldKnow Paula
FINALLY, someone speaking up about HGTV & every homebuyer demanding “stainless steel and granite”! It has turned me off permanently to these materials. I will be doing my Florida home this summer and am actively pursuing anything but! White Ice intrigues me and I surely want to see in person. I think I would even go to black before stainless. Where are the designers heads on this? Incredibly boring, it is time for change! So appreciate the article and someone, anyone speaking out,
Karen R
Updating my 1980′s kitchen and stainless steel will not be part of it! I can’t wait to replace the stainless steel sink with white cast iron and I am definitely going with white appliances. When I look at all the kitchens full of s/s I’m thinking these are not for people who like to cook and bake. I’m also not putting in granite but going with a quartz composite, Viatera, by LG.
Phyllis
Kudos to Whirlpool for creating “White Ice.” I personally have the “no fingerprint” stainless steel appliances, and I love them. They are not the fanciest stainless steel by far, but they look contemporary and so easy to maintain. I did, however, splurge on the granite, not because of HGTV, but because I love the mix of lines, colors, and patterns in this natural stone. Every time I look at it, I see something new in the stone, and the granite is coated with a new heavy duty finish that makes it very easy to maintain. A kitchen should be functional, easy to clean, and still look great, and every woman should choose the finishes and appliances that they love. It makes cooking even more of a pleasure! Thanks, Whirlpool, for giving us another choice.
L. B.
Just saw the White Ice appliances in a show room and instantly fell in love with the look! I have been avoiding stainless steel because of the difficulty in cleaning (so many people who have it do nothing but complain, and I am not an avid cleaner); I also looked into the “chrome” .. the “fingerprint-less” stainless…i.e., fake stainless steel that is basically a fridge with a “laminate” of stainless on top. Don’t want that either because if you scratch it, it will rust. (I am not a carfeful cook). I hope Whirlpool comes out with a counter-depth White Ice. If they do, then my kitchen will definitely be all White Ice!
L. B.
Just saw the White Ice appliances in a show room and instantly fell in love with the look! I have been avoiding stainless steel because of the difficulty in cleaning (so many people who have it do nothing but complain, and I am not an avid cleaner); I also looked into the “chrome” .. the “fingerprint-less” stainless…i.e., fake stainless steel that is basically a fridge with a “laminate” of stainless on top. Don’t want that either because if you scratch it, it will rust. (I am not a carfeful cook). I hope Whirlpool comes out with a counter-depth White Ice. If they do, then my kitchen will definitely be all White Ice!
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