Choosing the right finishing option for a stainless steel handle is a critical decision. It can make or break the end result — especially in a design era when stainless steel is one of the most popular material choices requested of handles manufacturers. Contrary to popular opinion, "stainless steel" is not a singular type of material with… Read More
By any count, there are over 150 grades of stainless steel available. Appliance stainless steel handle manufacturers typically use just four of these many options: 304, 439, 441, and 201 grade stainless. Below we outline the defining characteristics of each grade and discuss why and when stainless steel handle manufacturers choose one over the other.… Read More
With kitchen appliance handle design trending away from the contoured look that was favored by OEMs for more than a decade to a more commercial-kitchen, almost industrial aesthetic, different approaches to handle manufacturing are required. Whereas tubular hydroforming and tubular stamping were good fits for creating gently curved metal appliance handles that were lightweight and… Read More
In our decades as a supplier of appliance parts and assemblies, we’ve found that metal appliance handles are best made using three manufacturing methods: roll forming, which is very cost effective, hydroforming, which allows for more complexity and flexibility without sacrificing strength, and tubular stamping, which combines economy, strength, and flexibility at high volumes. Here… Read More
You probably use an oven, refrigerator, or dishwasher every day, but have you ever thought about how appliance handle design has changed over the years? If you take a moment, you'll likely be able to easily recall the difference between your grandma’s 1970 wood-grain oven range pull handles and today’s curved, ergonomic stainless steel refrigerator handles.… Read More
