Introduction
Looking to give your kitchen a modern makeover? Slate and grey appliances are taking over from traditional stainless steel, offering a sophisticated, fingerprint-resistant finish that coordinates beautifully with any décor. I’ve tested and reviewed 5 popular slate kitchen appliances to help you find the perfect additions for your home.
Quick Comparison Table
| Product Name | Price | Key Features | Rating |
| Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker | $109.99 | Strong brew, Iced setting, 75oz tank | 4.7/5 |
| Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 | $281.00 | Food waste recycler, Odorless, 2L capacity | 4.4/5 |
| Ninja DualZone Air Fryer | $119.99 | Two 4qt baskets, Smart Finish, 6-in-1 | 4.7/5 |
| Toshiba Microwave | $142.04 | Sensor cooking, 1.2 cu ft, 1100W | 4.4/5 |
| SMEG Retro Kettle | $189.95 | 7-cup capacity, Auto shutoff, 360° base | |
Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker Analysis
Product Category: Single-Serve Coffee Maker Finish: Brushed Slate Manufacturer: Keurig
Design & Aesthetics
The K-Elite showcases a premium brushed slate finish complemented by sophisticated metal accents, offering a modern aesthetic that elevates kitchen decor. Measuring 9.9″D x 13.1″W x 12.7″H, this compact brewer maintains a commanding presence without overwhelming counter space. The 75-ounce removable water reservoir features a sleek integration into the overall design, while the quality plastic construction balances durability with style. The metallic bale and premium finish details demonstrate attention to build quality, creating a sophisticated appliance that bridges functionality and contemporary design.
Core Functionality
At its heart, the K-Elite delivers versatile brewing capabilities with five cup sizes ranging from 4 to 12 ounces. The 1500-watt heating system ensures optimal brewing temperature, while the Strong Brew feature intensifies flavor extraction for bolder cups. The dedicated Iced Coffee setting intelligently adjusts brewing parameters for cold beverages, preventing dilution. Operating at multiple temperatures with customizable settings, the machine maintains consistent performance across various brewing modes, completing each cup in under a minute while serving multiple beverage types from coffee to hot cocoa.
Smart Features & Controls
The K-Elite incorporates programmable features including auto-on functionality and temperature control for personalized brewing. The intuitive button interface provides quick access to specialized brewing modes. A maintenance reminder system alerts users when descaling is needed, ensuring optimal performance. The Quiet Brew Technology minimizes operational noise, while the digital display enables easy programming and status monitoring.
Convenience & Maintenance
User-friendly operation centers around the simple pod-based brewing system, complemented by compatibility with the Universal My K-Cup reusable filter for ground coffee. The removable drip tray accommodates travel mugs up to 7.2 inches and catches spills for easy cleanup. Regular maintenance is streamlined through the descaling reminder system and easily accessible components. The large water reservoir reduces refill frequency, supporting up to 8 cups between refills.
Value Proposition
Priced at $109.99 (42% off $189.99 list), the K-Elite positions itself as a premium yet accessible single-serve brewer. The combination of versatile brewing options, durable construction, and sophisticated finish justifies the investment. The ability to brew both K-cups and ground coffee provides long-term value, while the robust feature set differentiates it from basic models in its class.
The Vitamix FoodCycler
Type: Food Recycling Machine Color: Slate Made by: Vitamix
How It Looks
This machine looks like a small box and comes in a nice slate gray color. It’s about the size of a big bread box – 13 inches long, 11 inches wide, and 14 inches tall, so it can fit on your counter or in a cabinet. It has a special bucket inside that you can take out to clean, and a lid with special filters that keep bad smells away. The outside is made of strong plastic that’s easy to wipe clean.
What It Does
The FoodCycler takes your leftover food and turns it into dry, useful dirt in about 4 hours. It can handle most foods like fruit peels, vegetable scraps, and even small bones. It makes food waste much smaller – what used to fill a whole bucket turns into just a handful of dry stuff. You can use this dried food waste to help your plants grow by mixing it with regular dirt.
Special Features
This machine has filters that keep your kitchen from smelling bad, even when you’re storing food scraps. It runs quietly, so you can use it any time – even at night. It has a simple button to start, and you can run it several times a day if you need to. The lid that comes with it keeps smells locked in while you’re collecting food scraps.
Easy to Use and Clean
Using the FoodCycler is super easy – just put your food scraps in the bucket, press a button, and wait. The bucket that holds the food can go right in your dishwasher when it’s dirty. You can keep the bucket under your sink or by your trash can while you fill it up. The machine itself can stay on your counter or in your garage – anywhere there’s a power outlet.
Is It Worth Buying?
At $281 (marked down from $399.95), this is an expensive kitchen helper. But it’s worth thinking about because:
- It makes much less trash
- It helps your garden grow
- It doesn’t smell bad like compost
- It’s easier than taking scraps outside
- You don’t need a big yard to compost anymore
The FoodCycler costs more than a regular compost bin, but it’s much cleaner and easier to use, especially if you live in an apartment or don’t have a yard for composting.
The Ninja DualZone Air Fryer
Type: Air Fryer Color: Grey Made by: Ninja
How It Looks
This air fryer comes in a nice grey color and is pretty big – about 16 inches wide, 14 inches deep, and 12 inches tall. It has two separate baskets side by side, which makes it look different from most air fryers that only have one basket. The baskets are made of sturdy stainless steel with non-stick coating, and they’re easy to pull out and put back in. The top has simple buttons that light up when you press them.
What It Does
This is like having two air fryers in one! Each basket can cook different foods at the same time. You can:
- Air fry foods to make them crispy with less oil
- Broil things to make them brown on top
- Roast meats and vegetables
- Bake like a small oven
- Reheat leftovers
- Dry fruits and herbs
The best part is both baskets can cook different foods and finish at the same time, so everything is hot when you’re ready to eat.
Special Features
The coolest thing about this air fryer is its “Smart Finish” button that makes sure both foods finish cooking at the same time, even if they need different times or temperatures. You can also use “Match Cook” to cook the same food in both baskets. It can get really hot (up to 450°F) or stay low and slow for drying foods (105°F). Each basket has its own fan to make food crispy.
Easy to Use and Clean
Using this air fryer is super simple:
- The baskets can go in the dishwasher
- The non-stick coating helps food slide right off
- You don’t need to pre-heat it
- Each basket has a special plate that lets fat drip away
- The baskets are big enough to cook food for 4-6 people
Is It Worth Buying?
At $119.99 (down from $199.99), this is a good deal because:
- You can cook two different foods at once
- It uses up to 75% less fat than deep frying
- It’s faster than using your big oven
- You can make crispy food without lots of oil
- It’s from Ninja, which makes good kitchen stuff
People really love this air fryer – it has 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 35,000 reviews, and lots of people say it’s the best thing in their kitchen!
The Toshiba Countertop Microwave
Type: Microwave Oven Color: Black Stainless Steel Made by: Toshiba
How It Looks
This microwave comes in sleek black stainless steel that looks modern in any kitchen. It’s a medium-sized microwave – about 23 inches wide, 18 inches deep, and 15 inches tall. Inside, it has a big 12.4-inch turntable that can fit a whole pizza. The front has a digital display and easy-to-read buttons, though some people say they’re hard to see at night. The inside is made of special stainless steel that’s easy to clean.
What It Does
This is a powerful 1100-watt microwave that can:
- Cook or heat food really fast
- Defrost frozen foods by weight or time
- Heat foods just right with its smart sensor
- Make perfect popcorn, potatoes, and veggies using special buttons
- Warm up pizza without making it soggy
- Cook rice perfectly
- Melt butter and chocolate without burning
The smart sensor is really cool – it can tell how much steam comes from your food and adjusts the cooking time by itself!
Special Features
This microwave has some neat tricks:
- You can turn off the beeping sound if you don’t like it
- It has an ECO mode that uses less power when not cooking
- There are 10 different power levels for perfect cooking
- It has 12 automatic cooking menus
- The sensor can tell when food is done so it doesn’t overcook
- It remembers your favorite settings
Easy to Use and Clean
The microwave is super simple to use:
- The turntable comes out for easy cleaning
- The inside has a special coating that wipes clean easily
- The buttons are clear and simple
- It comes with a cooking guide inside the door
- It has quick-start buttons for 1-6 minutes
Is It Worth Buying?
At $142.04, this microwave is a good deal because:
- It’s powerful enough for most families
- The sensor cooking really works
- It’s from Toshiba, which makes good electronics
- It has lots of helpful features
- More than 55,000 people rated it 4.4 out of 5 stars
People especially like how well it cooks food and how easy it is to use. Just remember it’s a bit big, so make sure you have enough counter space!
The SMEG Retro Electric Kettle
Type: Electric Kettle Color: Slate Grey Made by: SMEG
How It Looks
This kettle has a cool 1950s style that makes it stand out in your kitchen. It’s made of stainless steel with a grey powder coating that looks fancy. The kettle isn’t too big – about 9 inches tall and 9 inches wide. It has shiny chrome parts like the base, handle, and spout. While it looks solid in pictures, some people say the handle and some parts are made of plastic, which surprised them.
What It Does
This kettle is pretty powerful and can:
- Boil up to 7 cups of water at once
- Heat water really fast with its 1500-watt power
- Turn off by itself when water boils
- Turn off if there’s no water inside
- Pour smoothly through its special spout
- Show you how much water is inside in cups or liters
Special Features
The kettle has some nice touches:
- The lid opens softly when you push a button
- You can put it on its base any way you want (360 degrees)
- It has a filter to catch hard water bits
- The bottom has special feet so it won’t slip
- The power cord is long (50 inches)
- You can lift it off the base to pour
Easy to Use and Clean
Using this kettle is simple:
- Fill it up using the easy-open lid
- Watch the water level through the window
- Take out the filter to clean it
- Put it back on the base any way you want
- The wide opening makes it easy to clean inside
Is It Worth Buying?
At $189.95, this is an expensive kettle. Here’s what to think about:
- It looks really nice and fancy
- It works well and boils fast
- The brand (SMEG) is known for quality
- Some parts are plastic, not metal
- Most people (4.4 out of 5 stars) like it
People say it’s worth buying if you want something that looks special in your kitchen and works well, but there are much cheaper kettles that do the same job if you don’t care about looks.
Conclusion: Which Slate Appliances Are Worth Your Money?
After reviewing these slate kitchen appliances, it’s clear that manufacturers are delivering both style and function in this trendy finish. The Ninja DualZone Air Fryer and Keurig K-Elite offer the best value, combining useful features with reasonable prices. The Vitamix FoodCycler, while pricey, fills a unique eco-friendly niche. The Toshiba microwave provides reliable performance with smart features, while the SMEG kettle is more of a style splurge.
Choose based on your needs – if you want practicality, go for the air fryer or coffee maker. For sustainability, consider the FoodCycler. And if you’re after pure style, the SMEG kettle makes a beautiful statement piece. Whatever you pick, these slate appliances will give your kitchen an upgraded, coordinated look that resists fingerprints better than traditional stainless steel.