BlueStar's are awesome. One of my favorite brands out there. Not only do they come in 190 different colors, I just LOVE LOVE LOVE the open burner design. Is there a reason that you're not going with the Nova burners? Anyway, BlueStars have a very simplistic design meaning there aren't a lot of parts or electronics that can go bad. It's a home run in my opinion. Here is a link that might be useful: Want to laugh and learn about appliances? Read my blog!

Gotta say I'm more than happy with my 36" RNB. I have been using it for just about a year now and have not had 1 issue. I did break the thermostat for the griddle while installing the hi-back guard and shelf but it was replaced very quickly, my fault. I replaced it too, no need for a service guy w/these machines, I adjusted all my burners too, easy. I also have a 30" Wolf convection and a Wolf steam oven but do use the BS oven for pizza, big hunks of meat and anything I want to use a big sheet pan for. The BS oven is the quietest when using convection mode and I love the ability to turn the fan off w/a switch, the Wolf fan stays on for quite some time after the oven is off and is LOUD. The steam oven fan is also relatively loud, we use that oven the most of any of them. I would absolutely purchase another BS range. I hadn't even heard of them until I was starting my new construction and ended up on this site. I read all the horror stories but with all the stellar reviews I figured I'd take a chance. Got a moss green range and matching pro-line 1200 cfm hood (talk about loud). Initially I was interested in the AR performer, the place I purchase from had Capital, AR and BS all right next to each other (didn't even consider a Wolf). I had looked at an AR at another place by itself but when I saw it next to the BS I didn't even look at it again. I may have been equally happy w/the AR but am very happy with my BS. Really the only thing I was remotely concerned about was the hot door as I have young twins (5 now, 4 when we moved in). When I saw my boy sitting on the floor in front of the range with his back against the door while it was on my worries were over, he was 'warming up'. Heck my Wolf lower panel gets hot enough to be quite unpleasant when it's on which surprised me as no one has ever complained about that. Having the 'known good' Wolf in the same kitchen as the BS oven I can say they've both been brilliant. However it does make the Wolf seem 'not soo special' since the BS is equally 'special'. I do most of my bread baking in the BS just cause I can fit more in there but have used all 3 (steam oven only goes up to 445 deg though), they all work great but the end product is slightly different in each which is kinda cool.

Will 400 cfm be sufficient? Yes. The difference between the RCS cooktop and RNB cooktop is 15 btu. That is the will all burners on full blast. That is the same as one RCS burner. Like you said having on all burners on at the same time is rare. Having them all on at full blast is rarer still. Even at 400cfm I would still consider the RNB. Should we go for 600 cfm? You should definitely get the RNB if going to 600cfm. Any brand recommendations? Zephyr is good but I prefer Kobe. Besty by Broan, Imperial, Cavaliere is also good. Care to share your experience? My setup does not apply to you but... Ideally you want venting setup for worst case scenario. Getting way too much cfm allows hood to be quiet during normal operation. But if getting way too much venting power is not in the budget then venting for 95%-99% of the time is fine. I could live with a smoke filled kitchen once a year if I can get a great Kung Pao chicken or restaurant quality steak on a weekly basis.

RCS brochure http://www.bluestarcooking.com/pdfs/bluestar_rcs_30.pdf RNB brochure http://www.bluestarcooking.com/pdfs/bluestar_rnb_30.pdf RNB brochure mentions convection feature while RCS brochure does not. I think some retailers may assume RCS has convection,maybe Canadian/Costco version is different and does have convection. Last time I saw a RCS in the store(about two years ago)it did not have convection. I can see why someone who owned both a RNB and Culinarian would claim a superior perspective on which is better. Not someone who just own's one. Naturally you want to self justify your purchase and may be prone to becoming a cheerleader for one or the other. I don't own either,sell one or the other,nor anyway connected to the appliance industry. But I have used both now. And I like the Culinarian better.