We are just about to do some remodeling of the kitchen. My wife has been jonesing for a Viking for years.
Then out of the “blue” she discovered Bluestar cooktops and ranges. Hadn’t ever heard of them.
Does anyone out there in Berserkerland know about them?
Thanks
We looked into one when the remodel was in the works and we were looking for a range. I found many, many positive reviews on the internet, and the downside I found was they were gas only. My wife wanted a dual fuel range, and nixed the idea.
Ted,
I’m not familiar with the Bluestar, but in looking over their website, the ranges and cooktops appear “residential,” in that the construction looks light and the grates are obviously light like those on the Jennaires. If you’re looking for something as HD as the Viking, you might also want to check out Thermador.
We have a residential/commercial Thurmador cooktop which is very heavy duty. Below is a link to the one closest to our 15 year old one. Pricey, but if this one is one of the “select” appliances.
Thermador’s One Two Free Event - Get a Free Thermador Dishwasher and a Free Thermador Ventilation system with the purchase of select Thermador appliances. Offer ends Feb 28, 2010.
PCG486GD Thermador 48" Pro Gas Cooktop 6 Burners & Griddle - Stainless Steel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bluestar is the darling of the Gardenweb Kitchen board. If I ever live somewhere with a real hood I’d buy one.
Aside from the high btus and the very low adjustable simmer burner the nice thing about the star design is that you don’t get the cooler spot in the middle of a large circular burner that you get with most other high btu burners. Very little in the way of electronics so you don’t have so many points of failure. Also has a wok ring that people speak highly of.
If you go here:
Kitchen Forum | Houzz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and search on Bluestar on the bottom of the screen you’ll get lots of discussion.
My kitchen is about 50% ripped to hell and the blue star 36" is on my very short list.
it’s this one or the wolf.
When we built the new place, I designed a kitchen around a 60" range. Had a smaller Thermidor at the old place, thought it more show than go! Considered a Wolf, but went with the Bluestar. I’ve got it under a 66", 2000cfm hood. We do a lot of wok cooking and the 22K BTU burners are ready to go… now! Very little temperature drop. Not quite a 30K commercial wok setup, but for the two of us, very “wokky” stir fry’s!! I’ve got 6 burners, a flat top and a grill. Use the flat top every day, and the grill a couple times a week. Dinner parties are not a problem. You can cook a lot of food for a lot of people. No electronics (if you don’t count the igniters), no timers. Our range has two full size, convection ovens. Full size in that they can each handle a full size sheet tray. We have a full 3/4" gas line going to it… it uses more gas than the furnace!! Did I mention, I like my “box of fire”.
Richard,
Was your Bluestar cheaper than your old Thermador? The newer Thermadors have the star shaped burners and highly variable heat settings. It sounds like price and looks could more of a factor and the Bluestar the better overall better deal.
I am a remodeling contractor and install 10+ high end kitchens a year for last 20 years. I installed a Thermador 48" range top with 6 burners, griddle about 5 years ago in my own house. This thing sucks. Had nothing but problems both under warranty and after it expired. It looks pretty but its a dog.
If I were to do it again i would go with the tried and true - Wolf. More times than not when a client has one existing in a kitchen, we re-use it in new kitchen because they are quality. The most “commercial” of all the residential gourmet ranges, especially before subzero swallowed them up.
I have never heard of Bluestar - are they new? If so i would avoid.
Just my 2 cents worth
Randy,
The old Thermador was a dual fuel 30" model. All the bells and whistles… Many of which quit over the 9 years I owned to range. It wasn’t one of the newer models, no star burners. Looked nice, underpowered, and broke often. The new Bluestar was much more money, but it’s a 60" model.
My understanding is that Bluestar came into existence when Garland decided not to make home/zero clearance ranges anymore. Prizer Painter makes them now under the Bluestar name. They are simple gas ranges with an open, star burner, design. No self clean, no timers, no pot temperature sensors, no dual fuel, no rotisseries, and no electronically controlled low temperature/on and off burners. A combination of 22K BTU burners, 15K BTU burners, big convection ovens, radiant broilers, and in my case a griddle/flat top, and a grill. Zero clearance and electronic igniters seem to be the big differences between these and a commercial range. I’ve used mine for over a year, no issues.
Thanks for all the feedback. I think we are going with the Bluestar. We might actually get it at the factory in Reading, PA - not far from our home.
a bit late, but we have had a 48" 8-burner for over a year now and love it. The cook top is second to none.