New BlueStar RCS Report

9 years ago

I owe this board a post about my final decision/new stove, since I got so much help here during the couple of months that I debated which stove to get. And, there aren't all that many posts about RCS stoves, mostly about RNB, so I want to help out any of you who are considering the RCS.

I was debating between the American Range Performer, Blue Star RNB and Blue Star RCS because we wanted not digital displays and a big oven. I ended up deciding on the BlueStar RCS, and had it installed two weeks ago. I chose BlueStar over AR because it's slightly smaller and I have a small kitchen, and I liked the look of the cooktop better. I went with RCS over RNB because i thought it would be enough power for me, and couldn't justify spending the extra $$ for the few times when I'd be wishing I had more power. I am very very happy with my decision- and on both of those fronts. During installation we realized we wouldn't be able to have the stove flush against the wall because of the fridge water line, so it needed to stick out about 1 inch, which would have been a bigger issue with the deeper American Range, and I have found that the burners are great, plenty of heat for me, way more than I need for most of my cooking. The simmer is perfect, the burners go quite low. The oven has been good- the bottom panel does indeed get hot, but it doesn't bother me. Overall the stove feels very sturdy and well-made, I think some of the posts on here might give the feeling that it's flimsy in some way, but it really is not. I'm very happy with my decision.

Happy to answer any questions.

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ecocheap

9 years ago

My first post! Long time lurker. I wish I saw more threads like this on the RCS when I was researching.

I was in the same boat as OP. I had just crossed the AR off the list because I didn't like the grate height (it probably isn't a big deal) and it cost more than an RCS. I had my mind set on the RCS since it seemed like the best deal. $3200 with a 36" 760 CFM hood included. It kept eating at me whether I needed the extra power of the RNB for wok cooking even though I knew true wok cooking would need well over 30k BTU.

After an inconclusive test at the showroom, my wife convinced me to just pay the extra $ for the RNB. After living with the RNB for about 6 months now, I don't think I NEEDED the extra power, but I don't regret getting it.

Here's why I don't think I needed the extra power. When I try to cook with a real wok, the amount of smoke generated easily overwhelms the hood. Using a stainless steel flat bottom wok on the 15K burner sufficiently sears whatever I throw at it. There's no overloading and stewing the meat like on my old GE Caloric.

I try not to think about the giant cost difference between the RCS and RNB for basically getting larger orifices on the burners, more holes on the burners, one ball bearing rack, nicer drip tray, and speckled oven finish. It's enough to switch to an inline blower for hood, that's for sure. But it's a nice luxury to be able to boil a big stock pot a few minutes faster when we have a bunch of friends over to make jam each year.

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Comments (19)

andy47
9 years ago
i keep reinterating that bluestar with wihtout doubt the best pro range in the business-its for those who are really serious about their cooking in lieu of lines like wolf or viking
which is all marketing
tinyhomebuilder
9 years ago
BlueStars are even for those who ~aren't~ serious about their cooking. My wife and I are both amateurs and yet appreciate the precision of our 24" RNB. It makes us better cooks.

This post was edited by tinyhomebuilder on Sat, May 17, 14 at 18:51
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Hi Nabq, I can understand what you are suffering through. I spoke to my local BS distributor; he informed me that all RCS now ship with 15k burners only; but if you purchase from a retailer and not Costco; you can also purchase a upgrade kit to upgrade it to 18k. I believe instead of getting the 18k burner; the newer RCS' come standard with convection fan. Although the distributor said this may only apply to our area as it really depends on what the distributor specifies when they order a batch. Maybe BS is differentiating the RCS and RNB lines more by deleting the 18k as standard equipment? Theplayer is correct; the newer RCS ranges don't have the slots in the kick plate and the Bluestar logo is etched instead of a pressed logo. The control panel is also different; one piece now. As dodge59 has said; the difference between the 18k and 15 btu burner is the amount of orifices for the flames. The 15k only has orifices on the level surfaces on the 'arms' of the star shape. Meanwhile the 18k burner has orifices on the beveled edges of the 'arms' of the star shape. A quick glance at the 18k burner and it looks kind of like the simmer burner because the orifices on the 'arms' are kind of hidden by the shadow on the beveled edges.
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basic_kim
9 years ago
woodsidecook, your thought process sounds familiar! I'm in a similar spot, considering similar options, but haven't made it to the finish line yet.
I also want to avoid the computerized control panel (if I can), but am very wary of the high cost of the "pro" tier.
I seriously considered American Range Performer, but despite positive reports, for my kitchen the grates seem too heavy and ponderous. I like the Bluestar I saw at an appliance store, but again, it's the price...How much did you end of paying for the RCS?
Our other option might be to compromise about the digital control, and go for the GE Cafe.
Justine Reese
Original Author
9 years ago
basic_kim i felt the same way about the AR performer, in spite of it seeming to be a better value (25k burners). the heavy grates seemed like they'd be a problem for me, which seems like a small issue to make the decision on, but i did. i go the RCS for 2699, before tax, installation, etc. I'm still very happy with the decision, happy to answer any other questions.
gigelus2k13
9 years ago
@woodsidecook: do you mind if I'm asking where did you get your (30" ?) RCS for 2699 before tax and installation?
basic_kim
9 years ago
That is a good price...thank you for sharing. And do let us know where you purchased it, if you can.
Any comments about cleaning?
Also, have you tried the broiler?
What did you have before (how does this compare)?
I've had a FiveStar (in the kitchen I'm leaving), which was fine in many ways, but a problematic design for cleaning under the burners (no drip pan). This was purchased in about 2006. I don't know what the btus are in the burners. My guess is that it's somewhat comparable to the BlueStar RCS, but the Bluestar has a better design. I am spoiled though with the easy, ordinary, mechanical knobs, no digital controls, etc.
The FiveStar never broke, no incidents at all in these years.

Thanks again for all.
Justine Reese
Original Author
9 years ago
The cleaning has been great. My standards are only medium, so the fact that it's not shiny and perfect is fine with me, and it shows little spots and crumbs much less than my previous white stovetop, and when i do set out to get it super clean, i have found that it's not hard to do. The broiler has worked well for me, i haven't done a lot of broiling so can't comment much more than that. I had a maytag previously, just the stove the house came with, and i was fine cooking on it until the digital controls went bust and we had to replace, and now i'm getting spoiled for this better stove. so much more heat and control and HUGE oven.

I found it on craigslist, advertised by an appliance store in Daly City, CA- so had to buy locally, they wouldn't ship it. it was a place that buys a whole truckload and then sells them, so able to offer a better price. I was actually prepared to pay the regular price but hadn't yet pulled the trigger and then i found this one and that made me pull the trigger. very happy i did.
basic_kim
9 years ago
FYI, I've been quoted $3000 for the Bluestar RCS at an appliance dealer in NJ.
The GE Cafe Series CGS985SETSS would be $3200 at AJ Madison.
It's kind of an interesting comparison.
I'm still thinking that I will go with the Bluestar RCS....
Any additional thoughts or experiences to share concerning your Bluestar RCS will be much appreciated.
Justine Reese
Original Author
9 years ago
Just wanted to post an update now that i've lived with my RCS for 7 months. I still really love it and have had no problems whatsoever, and i still really love it. Huge oven, bakes perfectly, cleanup is easy. I'll post again if any issues arise.
laughablemoments
9 years ago
Have you baked multiple racks of things (such as cookies) and still had it bake perfectly? Do you use full size baking pans, the big 18" x 26" ones? Do you shuffle your pans, or leave them alone for the entire baking time? These are the questions I'm having a hard time finding answers to. I'm very happy to hear you are still really loving your RCS.

Thanks!
dccurlygirl
9 years ago
I'm pleased to hear you are happy with your choice of range. Recently, I asked this forum for reviews of the RCS and have been hearing that buying the sealed-burner version of the Blue Star is akin to heresy -- you buy a Blue Star for the open burners or you don't buy one at all! I am breathing a little easier, now that I know there are, indeed, happy RCS owners. Keep us informed!
Justine Reese
Original Author
9 years ago
The burners aren't sealed , they just don' go to 22k btus, they're 15k with a 9k simmer burner. I think the lower btus are what some think are heresy, but for me they've been adequate
Justine Reese
Original Author
9 years ago
Also- laughable. I haven't tried multiple cookie sheets, turning, etc so i cant answer your questions. Sorry!
nycbluedevil
9 years ago
dc

The RCS is an open burner range. The Culinary Series is the closed burner one that I think you were asking about.

And BTW, I agree with what all those othe posters said about buying a closed burner Blue Star. If I were getting a closed burner range, I would get a Wolf. You get a Blue Star because of the awesome open burners.
malabacat_gw
9 years ago
Thanks for the 7 mth update! I'm so glad you love your RCS so much. As hard as I tried I couldn't get my dh to go for the RNB. He felt we'd never ever need the 22K burners so why spend the extra $. So we bought a 36" RCS. It's not installed yet but despite wanting the RNB I know that the RCS is very powerful and I can't wait to cook on it when we finally get to move back in to our house.
dccurlygirl
9 years ago
Oh, yes -- mixed up my ranges. Sorry for my post, but really happy for you and your RCS!
dccurlygirl
9 years ago
Oh, yes -- mixed up my ranges. Sorry for my post, but really happy for you and your RCS!
User
9 years ago
I have just purchased a BS 30" RCS range too. Yes, it would be nice to have at least one 18k/22k burner but I really don't feel I made a bad choice with the RCS. At the current price point this is a great deal for an open burner style range. I was looking at Wolf and Viking but the open burners won out in the end...plus the BS was $1500. less than the Wolf or Viking.

New BlueStar RCS Report

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