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Anyone have BlueStar 36in. drop-in cooktop or Bosch 36in. cooktop

14 years ago

Hi, wondering if anyone who actually owns either of these has any information to share. What do you like about your cooktop? What would you change about it?

I am not worried about open vs. sealed burners. Just want something that will work well and I will be happy with for a loooong time! Thanks!

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Comments (10)

glenny56
14 years ago
Hi, I don't have an opinion for you, but I too would like to hear from people who have Blue Star, Bosch, Dacor, Kitchenaid or DCS gas cooktops. I would need a 30" and am having a difficult time finding reviews so I can make an informed decision.
amcook
14 years ago
I've got the Bluestar 36" drop in and love it. When you say you're not worried about open vs sealed burners, do you mean you don't prefer one over the other? If so, consider the following questions...

1. Are you interested in even heat distirbution?
2. Are you going to do any wok cooking?
3. Do you want the heat to go into the pan rather than wasted up the sides?
4. Do you want to use your 8-12" pan, skillet, or pot on your high btu burner?

These are just a few of the things that the Bluestar excels at due to their open burner design. I don't believe any other company has a pro level open burner drop-in cooktop. Only you can determine what you think you'll be happy with but I am certainly happier with my Bluestar then I ever was with the sealed burner cooktop I had before. IMHO, the question of "Bluestar vs. anyone else" *is* by definition a question of open vs sealed when it comes to cooktops.

Good luck and happy cooking.
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castironcook2
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We have a 30" slide-in rangetop by BlueStar. This is the version with the cast iron bowls and the drip tray. Absolutely love it. It replaced a sealed-burner glass cooktop that couldn't come anywhere close to this puppy's cooking power. Easy clean-up, sears and simmers like a dream. Be prepared to get a serious vent hood to go with it.
blessedathome
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the information amcook and castironcook2.
Does the cooktop need a more powerful vent hood? The appliance guy said the Bosch I was looking at (17,000 btu max. burner) needed a fairly standard Vent-A-Hood (the brand that store recommends). How do I find out what vent hood size would be required?
Yes, I did mean I don't have a preference about burners. I don't do a lot of stir-fry and honestly, the pans I use (big family) are so big I don't know if the open vs. closed will make much of a difference for me. But I do like the idea of the 22,000 btu burner and low simmer features. And there are times I would want to use the high btu burner with a smaller pan for speed's sake.
I guess now I'm just wondering what the $ difference would be for the vent hood.
Thanks again!
pharaoh
14 years ago
I have the 30" bluestar cooktop (non drop in). It has four burners. I rarely use the high heat ones because I end up burning my food :) The high heat is great for woking but then you need a powerful exhaust.
I really like the bluestar and wish they made a two burner one. I really dont need four burners because I have never used all four at once. ( i cook a lot but not in parallel)

Make sure you are aware of the ignitor issues that crop up on this forum from time to time. Hope they have improved their quality control...
mondragon
14 years ago
I have 36" Bluestar cooktop with center griddle.

LOVE IT. It's still (4 years later) the best choice we made in the new kitchen. We have a 42 Kobe hood that does pretty well, even with Wok cooking - the thing with Woks is that you cook so fast that you'll get a burst of steam and then it's done so if the hood doesn't get it all it dissipates quickly.

The feeling of power and control still makes me giggle a little.
pvrick
14 years ago
We have had the 36 inch drop in Bluestar cooktop for about a year. Love it. You can now sear and brown instead of "boil" Great job on fish.

What would I change if I could. I would put most powerful burner in the back as we are using a pop up downdraft vent and when cooking hard on the front burner, it doesnt draw all the smoke. I would also like to have seen a cleaning tray under the burners like to drop in range, but not possible on the design. Cleaning is no big deal.

Service has been great. Had one small problem, Blue star send out the service guy who did the white glove service and they fixed under warranty with no problem.

If you want to discuss in person. send me an email with your contact info to anchanrj@cox.net and I will call you

Rick
blessedathome
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you everyone! I do like the sound of the Bluestar but it would require a two hour drive and that would be for anyone coming to service it too so I'm not sure that would be wise.
I read somewhere (maybe even on these forums) how to figure out cfms needed for the burner total so that should be helpful.
Thankfully I still have time to decide without being rushed.
PRO
Trevor Lawson (Eurostoves Inc)
14 years ago
A two hour drive is Bluestar's problem not yours. Dont sacrifice the best cooktop in the US because some one MIGHT have to drive two hours.

It may also be that the service company lives closer than two hours away.
ericwarren
14 years ago
email me if youd like a pic or two...
we have loved our BS 36" drop in since it arrived!
ewarren423@gmail.com

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