Hey New Mexico Gardenwebbers, Since there have been such impassioned BlueStar-related discussions here, I thought I'd post that Builder's Source Appliances in Albuquerque now has the 30" RCS series BlueStar gas ranges for $1999. I think that's the price many people have been very excited about getting the BlueStar for at the Canada Costcos, and these come with the higher power burner (18K or 22K, I'm not sure) already in place. They had some other pretty good deals in their closeout section, too, like a Viking Designer Series gas range for $2999. (I don't know if that's a particularly good model, but it seemed like a decent price for a Viking.) And they're set-up to do the free hood deal with Bertazzoni, although I think that promotion ends soon. I just helped my Mom get all new kitchen equipment there, and we worked with a salesman named Attilio di Paolo who was amazing. Really one of the most knowledgeable and low-key, no-pressure salesmen I've ever met. I'd strongly recommend making an appointment with him if you're contemplating a purchase at Builder's Source. Best, Nabq

Divamuffinzappa - I checked the Blue Star website, and it appears that their White Glove service in fact applies to all RNB ranges AND all cooktops they offer: 'BlueStar is pleased to announce the launch of our new ÂWhite Glove ServiceÂ. Order and install any BlueStar RNB range or cooktop and a certified service technician will visit your home to fine tune your BlueStar for optimal performance - at no charge.' In the detailed press release of 4/21/08, they say: 'The service allows any BlueStar customer who purchases an RNB range or cooktop  retroactive to April 14, 2008 - the opportunity to schedule complimentary 'fine tuning' of their BlueStar product, following installation.' Since all of their RNB products are, in fact, ranges, it would appear that the service is good for all RNB ranges (but NOT RCS ranges) AND all cooktops in their line. Later in the release, they say, 'The service will also extend to purchases of the companyÂs upcoming wall ovens and drop-in cooktops.' Hard to know exactly what this means - did they not offer wall ovens before? Link is below Here is a link that might be useful: Link to Blue Star 4/21/08 Press Release

I have a good idea of what's going on. First of all, the IR stands for infra-red broiler. But the RCS has an infra-red broiler anyhow,, so what's the difference?? Oh, and 30 is the width and 4b= 4burners, and ss is stainless steel. Now, the difference: Bluestar would like to have the distributors stock more of their basic range, the RCS series. So they offer incentives(lower price)if the Distributor orders a bunch (and pays for them). The distributor can order them with any burner up to 18K and with or without a window in the door. The distributor than turns around and sells them to the retailer . I have seen some of these for as low as $2,000 for the 30 inch during promotions. So if you order a regular RCS, and it's built from the factory there's no special price. If you can find a retailer who's distributor bought a bunch then you'll get the promotional price. Sometime the retailer looks in the price book and quotes, when they should call their distributor and see if there are any 'promotional special prices'. Also, a distributor in California may 'specify' it slightly different than a distributor in the mid-west. In anycase, it will Never have the convection or a burner more than 18K. That would encroach on their higher end model. But some of the RCS's may have 4 burners all alike, (15K), and some may be spec'd with one simmer, 2 15K, and 1-18K burner. With or without a window, and the back trim could be either the short island trim, or the 6" trim. So, to make a long story short, If it has IR in the model #, that indicates it was a promotional model, pre-sold to the distributor, probably in lots of 25 at a time. Hope that helps.

Call them. I had calls returned promptly on a couple of occasions when I was shopping this winter, and then buying early in the spring. Others on the appliance forum have also posted good feedback by phone from BlueStar, from Mandy among others. There are threads on the appliance forum that discuss some of the differences between the RNB and the RCS, as well as departures from the norm with the Costco (and other special run models) of RCS. The ranges are similar in many respects, and there are threads about "hot-rod" modifications to boost the output of the RCS burners as well (search for these and mojavean). Off the top of my head, I don't recall whether the Costco RCS has a convection oven, but you likely know already. The newer RNB ranges have the high output burners and better insulated oven doors. They also offer a choice of color. With an RNB order, you also have quite a few options when it comes to specifying the details -- for instance, on our 36" RNB, I had them move the left-hand supernova burner from the front to the rear, bringing the simmer burner to the front of the range -- works well for me and the upcharge for the custom arrangement was very small. OTOH, the RCS offers a very attractive option -- an open-burner range that shares many attributes of the RNB at a very big discount.