Matching your stainless steel

[lucigo]

Recently bought a house, had to buy a new fridge so got stainless steel with intention that eventually we would replace the rest of the appliances. 6 months later we need a microwave so considering over the range. Question is, do I go with the same line as the fridge (Frigidaire Gallery) so that the stainless steels will match up, or do I go with one with a better customer review that may or may not be the same finish.

I have no idea how long we will live here, hubby has a good job but my heart is still in Florida, so I guess it depends on the economy.

 

[Happyjen27]

I would match the finish but not necessarily the brand. The exact same stainless isn't required, just get a microwave with a stainless finish, if it's off by a hair, that's fine. I've found microwaves to be more of a disposable item, not a property value investment like a fridge or dishwasher. Even those installed over the range.

 

[AndreaDM]

I don't think they really have to be the same brand, HOWEVER, we have frigidaire gallery and it does NOT smudge! A microwave may not be such a big deal but so glad we have the gallery series for our fridge and dishwasher since they get touched a lot and never look smudged.

 

[lucigo]

I don't think they really have to be the same brand, HOWEVER, we have frigidaire gallery and it does NOT smudge! A microwave may not be such a big deal but so glad we have the gallery series for our fridge and dishwasher since they get touched a lot and never look smudged.

It is a bit of a different finish, which was why I wondered if they should match. There are a couple of different ones to choose from, just have to figure out which is the best fit!

 

[wiigirl]

I don't think they really have to be the same brand, HOWEVER, we have frigidaire gallery and it does NOT smudge! A microwave may not be such a big deal but so glad we have the gallery series for our fridge and dishwasher since they get touched a lot and never look smudged.

 

[LJSquishy]

I wouldn't brand match unless the finishes are so far off from each other. These days, unless you're buying a really low quality SS appliance, the finishes will be very similar. Many of the low-end finishes are "stainless-look", not necessarily stainless steel.

When we bought our house it had a SS Whirlpool Gold refrigerator, GE oven and matching GE microwave. The dishwasher was white and eventually stopped working correctly so we replaced it almost a year ago with a SS LG dishwasher. All of the SS matches even though we have 3 brands. The GE SS seems to look the worst though, maybe because it receives heat & splatters or maybe because it's lesser quality, I don't know. The finishes all blend together nicely though. I hate our GE microwave by the way. It works fine I suppose but it's not as powerful as it should be...so I would choose appliances based on ratings first, then brand reliability, and finally on finish.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We eventually got all new appliances (stove, microwave, dishwasher and fridge). They're all the same brand except the fridge. I mostly ended up with the fridge because at first we purchased everything from Sears. The first appliance to come was the fridge so it was delivered and installed but they couldn't deliver the other three. After nearly two months, I canceled and went to another appliance store in my area but it wasn't a chain. This store sells a lot of very high end appliances and when people are buying top of the line and cost is no option, that's where they go. That wasn't my case. But I do recall the man saying is it very common to have all different brands and that not many buy the same over and fridge, etc.

 

[JanaDee]

I specifically went with the same brand as our new stove when putting the microwave above the stove, so they would match. Even off a little bit would have bothered me, but that is just me.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

My kitchen has a stainless range but the dishwasher and frig have cabinet panels so I didn't have to worry about it. When my sister redid her kitchen she chose all GE Monogram brand. She wanted all the finished to match AND all the appliance handles to match. I almost think the appliance handles are a bigger deal than the finish.

Another family member mixed and matched in the kitchen. I don't notice a difference in finishes, but I do notice the different handles.

 

[lucigo]

I'm going to stick with the same line since we have a smudge free finish and they are both in the same line of sight, I would probably really notice a difference. Hopefully the reviews are just harsh and it will be fine.

 

[lucigo]

Thanks for all of the responses, I managed to get the matching one on sale for $299, then a 10% military discount so after taxes was around $286. Now if I can get it installed via youtube university I will be great!