The Costco sold unit is a cousin. The burner power, door type, convection feature, etc, will differ from the non Costco unit's specs shown on the Bluestar website.

Here is a link that might be useful: Costco Canada Bluestar

Yes, I read that thread, but didn't see any reports of owner experiences with the unit. There's also confusion in that thread about this being a Costco-exclusive model. This model is shown on the Bluestar website and on several other dealers' sites.

I would suggest that you repost your query and omit any reference to Costco. That is where the confusion starts for various reasons.

As laat2 states, the Costco model in Canada is NOT the same one as listed on the Bluestar website or any other dealer website. Have you actually gone to the store and looked at the floor model and box? It was a special made order for Costco with a convection oven and max. BTU burner of 15K. The RCS model on the Bluestar website has an 18K max burner but has no convection oven. The bottom kickplate is also plain without the decorative indentations as per the website.

If you google Bluestar in Canada you will see another website that will detail user experience with this different model. It has generally received good reviews but bear in mind it is a brute to deliver to your own home direct from the store as Costco doesn't deliver. It is however an excellent deal if you feel it meets your needs.

Google provides 4 pages of hits for Bluestar in Canada, none of which are relevant to Bluestar cooking appliances.
It seems bizarre that Bluestar would use the exact model number for two different units. No, I didn't visit the store yet. It's a 950 km round trip drive.

Here's a RCS304BSS (same model number as sold by Costco) with convection oven and with louvered kickplate.

Here is a link that might be useful: RCS304BSS

A year or so ago, my Bluestar distributor explained that the RCS, is sold either as a one off, or can be customized by the distributor if they pre-pay a large order. This is probably the deal Costco made with the Canadian distributor. By paying in advance for a large order they could add the convection fan and still keep the price down. The distributor warehouses them or goes to several dealers and tries to get them to pre- order a couple for their floor.

The Dealer gets a break in price but has to agree to buy a few of them in advance. In this case, Costco was the retailer and they are big enough to order 50 of them. (I'm only guessing).

They sometimes refer to this as 'promotional pricing' and it's why the spec on an RCS is sometimes different than on Bluestars website.

Thanks for the clarification, alexr.
It appears to be like buying a certain model car which comes with optional engines, transmissions, trim, etc.
That explains why this model is shown differently on the BS website than on some dealers' sites.

Costco Canada answered my query by saying that their model has the same specs shown on the Bluestar website: 18,000 BTUH burner, infrared broiler, louvered kickplate.

Looks like visiting a Costco warehouse is the only way to see what they are actually currently offering.

I was lucky to pick up one of these models at a local over-stock liquidator for $1300 CAD. It was still mostly factory-wrapped but had a few dings on the sides and back.

Now I am trying to figure out exactly what it is I own :) It certainly seems to be the Costco model RCS304BSS and so far I am very pleased. It is replacing a feature-bloated Kitchenaid stove and its so nice to use a stove with a solid, simple, design.

My only real question is whether I have a 18K burner or not. Three of the top burners look identical so I am guessing they are all 15K.

I just love how the igniters come back on all by themselves if you happen to blow out the flames when on simmer. I used to have to simmer with the kitchen windows shut.

and I thought our $3500 (US) Capitol was a bargain!

caatbox - may i ask where you bought it? thanks!