I think comparing the Bertazzoni to the Bluestar is like comparing apples to oranges - they're very different. I own a 36" Berta and have found that my only complaint is when I want to roast a large dish (8+ lb Chicken) and can't fit another pan in the oven because of the height. I have no issues with this in the non-European ranges. My resolution for this was to get a Breville Smart Oven which I use for a toaster oven, but also roasting side dishes, baking brownies, etc. I love that Breville so much it's sort of borders on insanity :-) Even if you get the BlueStar get a Breville too :-)
In regards to the self-clean feature, I used the self-cleaning option on my old oven once and will never do that again. It makes the house smell like crap and you have to leave for about 5 hours while it, well, cleans your oven and then makes your house smell like crap :-) I also have young kids and have read this feature is an absolute no-no when you have kids because of the fumes. Anyhow, maybe someone else on here will tell you they love the self-clean feature, but I definitely would not allow it to impact my choice. Lastly, the burners on the Berta and BS are very different too. If you want more BTUs, the BS is better for you. I don't do a lot of wok cooking and have never really needed that amount of power. I hope that helps!

Thanks chris11895. This is really helpful. I checked out the Breville. It looks great! I agree with you. I think I need to really figure out what we need burner wise.

If you're stuck at 30" BlueStar gives you a bigger oven, open burners (with higher output on the high powered burners), and IMO, more effective space on the range top -- very nicely spaced burners. Color, also if you want it. You get various choices for the top and can customize both the selection and arrangement of the burners -- moving to a 36" that gives you quite a few possibilities.

Having looked at both Wolf and BlueStar before choosing BlueStar, I'm not sure that the BS offers a big price advantage over Wolf, but maybe you're looking at the RCS for BlueStar?

Bertazzoni looks like a nice range at the price -- a lower price than BlueStar, at least if we're comparing all gas to all gas, right? If I recall correctly it also offers a couple of possibilities that didn't much interest me (self-clean and dual fuel) that might matter to you. For instance, I'm not a fan of self-cleaning features, and didn't mind at all that BlueStar doesn't offer them. But if you're keen to have self-clean, BS is out. I do think that Capital offers a self-clean feature on their open burner range, but I think it's a significant up-charge.

Consumer reports examined dual-fuel ranges and found them not worth the extra money, overall. They recommended going all gas or all electric, depending upon preference and availability of utilities/prices. All gas is typically the most economical, if you have natural gas available where you live.

On the contrasts between Bertazzoni and Bluestar, we have had some great discussions here. I am familiar with both because they both offered reasonably priced ranges in the 36" size we were looking for. I was sorely tempted by the Bertazzoni range. In my opinion, from the perspective of simple loveliness, the Bertazzoni range is the winner, hands down. It is an example of perfect proportionality, clean, modern, lines, and quality construction. They also have a good reputation among owners and have few drawbacks, a smaller-than-American-expectations oven being the chief detraction. The older Bertazzonis also had some kind of idiosyncrasy with the knobs that some did not like, but I think they changed that. In any case, you will likely really enjoy a Bertazzoni.

Unless you are a Bluestar person. Bluestar people are folks who gravitate to restaurant ranges. The whole top of the Bluestar, minus the stainless front driprail and the peripheral trim, is made out of coarsely enameled cast iron.

It is REALLY heavy. Pot-bangingly heavy. If something spills or boils over, it falls right down on the burners and from there down to a huge drip tray that you line with aluminum foil and clean out once and awhile. You can put the entire top of the range in the dishwasher if you want. I even run the burners through the dishwasher, ignitors and all, when I feel like it.

I think the Bluestar is not as lovely as the Berta. It is more stodgy and muscular, and I don't think it has the elegance of finish one will find in a Wolf or Capital. But if you like cooking on big fire with open burners and a cavernous oven with the hottest broiler you have ever seen, then you should look at a Bluestar.

So you can tell my Bluestar bias, I hope, and temper this recommendation with your own requirements and priorities, which may be markedly different from mine.

But if I were looking for a range right now, I would be keeping an eye out for a deal on a 36" Bluestar RCS that I could upgrade one burner on to Ultranova BTUs. That is exactly what I did and I couldn't be happier with the result.

just thought I would add my two cents. We've been looking for a range and read everything on Blue Star from this site, in fact, Blue Star recommended we check out GW!

In the end, we decided on a closed burner DCS. However, from all of our research I have to say that the Blue Star seems to be a great unit and MUCH sturdier than the Bertazzoni. Where we live, the DCS was less $$ than the Blue Star for an AG range. As far as self cleaning: don't bother...from everything I've read and heard from friends, they don't use it much, it still requires that you clean out the embers, costs a TON OF MONEY to run and they never really use it. I will say that from personal contacts I've had with GW members, they LOVE BLUESTAR but call it a FIRE BOX. It is HOT HOT HOT...and the broiler is awesome. Good Luck, I know what you're going through!

Hi -
I am leaning toward the 36 Berta, mainly because it seems like the best value for the money. I havent considered Bluestar or DCS because I thought they were out of my budget. I can get a Bertazzoni Master 36 for under 3k including the hood. Is Bluestar or DCS close to this range? I cant find much pricing on the internet. I'd prefer a 36, but might consider a 30 inch. Ugh...just when I thought I had made my decision, now Im compelled to research these brands too!

designmnov,

The least expensive Bluestar range is the RCS 30" which is about $3175. Most people here own the RNB with 22k btu power open burners and convection oven. The RCS has 18k btu power open burners and no convection oven. Less powerfull than the RNB but more powerfull than the Berta or DCS. The DCS 30" starts at about $3400 but you can find them from time to time on Ebay or Sears Outlet at significant savings.

If you live in Canada, you can get the 15K model 36" 6-hob RCS for at Costco. Bluestar Ranges also turn up on ebay regularly, some at pretty steep discounts.

I can't speak to the Bertazzoni (although did consider this when looking to buy and decided that although is was prettier than the Bluestar the function was not as strong) but we have had our Bluestar RNB 36" for about 2 years now and love it.

I use the oven mostly for broiling as also have a 30" GE Monogram electric wall oven that use a lot of the time as it's smaller and faster to heat up. The broiler is amazing and food tastes like it just came off the grill. I also love the strength of the burners and ease of cleaning. You can easily take all the burners and grates off (they are heavy) and wash in the sink. Many say can was in dishwasher as well but when I did it the first time in the dishwasher a few of my burners rusted (bluestar sent me 6 new ones for free) so I'm not doing it again. I have a Miele dishwasher that may get hotter than most so perhaps that's why they rusted. In terms of cleaning the oven it's quite easy as racks and rack guides can be removed to clean in sink and that leaves a wide open oven.

I'm sure Bertrazzoni is terrific as well but if you are looking for an endorsement from someone who owns a Bluestar, you've got one here!

Best of luck to you!