• Stainless steel appliances will neither rust nor stain.Carolyn Taylor Photography/Stockbyte/Getty Images
  
  

Long Lasting Appliances

• According to the stainless steel appliance website Stainless Online, stainless steel appliances can last considerably longer than their less expensive counterparts. Scratches and gouges in a stainless steel appliance do not incubate rust, as the metal used in these devices is not susceptible to oxidization. Food, spills or accidents do not leave stains on stainless steel appliances, and cleaning the appliances calls for little more than a quick wipe.
  
  

Cheaper Alternatives Exist

• Citing a 2004 Wall Street Journal article, the appliance website Appliance Design notes that a number of less expensive alternatives to stainless steel are available. Some manufacturers offer stainless-like finishes on carbon steel appliances, and some even offer aluminum appliances that closely resemble stainless without the high cost.
  
  

Bottom Line

• Although a number of attractive alternatives exist and carry somewhat lower price tags, homeowners who want an appliance with a durable finish that will neither rust nor stain may find stainless steel worth the extra money.