Stainless Steel Appliances are Not Magnetic
September 1, 2010 at 5:00 am Broken Secrets 3 comments
By Kaye Nemec
Stainless steel appliances look great and are very popular. However, you may upgrade without realizing that your magnet will no longer stick to the front of these appliances.
Stainless steel is a general name for a steel alloy that gets mixed with other metals. Because of the various mixtures, some stainless steel products have magnetic properties and some do not. The metal used for stainless steel appliances typically has a higher level of chromium added to it because chromium gives the steel its durable, stain-resistant properties. Chromium is not the only additive that reduces the alloys magnetic property, the nickel that is added to the steel destroys the metal’s natural magnetic properties.
Nickel is typically added to the stainless steel mixture in order to help enhance the qualities of the chromium and to make the stainless steel even more durable. But, the nickel prevents your appliances from holding your magnets.
Like everything else, there are exceptions to the rule. There are a few appliances that have a thin sheet of stainless over a magnetic metal, allowing these appliances to hold magnets. There are also appliances that simply give the allusion of being stainless steel but are actually made of titanium or painted silver metallic. These faux stainless appliances are still magnetic. If you’re in the market for new appliances, take some magnets shopping with you and test out your future purchase.
Here are some ways you can stick things to your non-magnetic appliances:
- If the sides of your stainless steel fridge are exposed try hanging your magnets there. Most appliances are magnetic on the sides even if they’re not on the front.
- Use suction cups, putty and other replacements.
- Hang a magnetic whiteboard.
- Order a Choopa Board suction mounted magnetic stainless panel for your appliance.
Magnetic paint is another option. You could paint a small section of a wall where it’s most useful, even in kids rooms. Magnetic paint is available at many hardware stores.
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Sources: Physlink.com, WiseGeek.com , Domestikgoddess.com, ehow.com
Entry filed under: Around The House. Tags: board, clip, cup, magnet, magnetic, stainless, steel, suction.
1.
Dot | September 1, 2010 at 3:51 pm
OMG – I’m glad I have an old-fashioned white refrigerator – it is completely covered with magnets – I would be heartbroken if I couldn’t decorate my fridge with magnets – Thanks for this great info (not that I had any plans to upgrade to SS)
2.
Erin | September 1, 2010 at 4:28 pm
I lived in an apartment that had a non magnetic fridge and it was initially pretty sad. Our solution was using Dry erase markers to leave messages and ‘decorate’. Anyone who came to visit loved to leave their mark on the fridge.
3.
Mary Beth | February 4, 2012 at 4:45 pm
Did you ever hear of paper and pen – leave a note on the counter or by the phone, for heavens sake; why must you deface your refrigerator?