Been superbusy lately but here's an update on my purchase and decision. I got the Culinarian as planned. It was a close decision over Bluestar. Mainly I picked CC for the four 23K burners, cleaner modern look, somewhat hotter broiler and supposed better custom service. I saved a few hundred bucks too, but that was not a major consideration. My biggest concern with the Culinarian were the reports of its inability to simmer at a low-enough temperature. I do make a lot of sauces. Sure enough, I had the very same problem. None of my burners went low enough. I briefly regretted not getting the Bluestar. Yet my local appliance dealer, M&M Appliance in Washington, DC, sent a technician over to adjust the burners. He used that special screw, and after about 5 minutes, all four of my burners could simmer at a noticeably lower temp. (M&M is a terrific dealer for those in the DC vicinity). Before the adjustment, the CC burners would click repeatedly when set to the lowest setting on the dial. The temperature was too hot, too. After the adjustment, two of my four burners can be set to the lowest setting on the dial without clicking. They produce a low simmer now. The other two burners can go lower, though I cannot leave them turned all the way to the right. They will click sporadically (but not like before. The result: I am a very happy camper. I love having 23K power on any burner I choose to use and the CC goes better with my appliances than the Bluestar would have. That said, I think it's a tossup between the two ranges (I like the BS oven a bit more). My advice to buyers who lean toward CC is to make sure you get it locally or feel expert enough to get one of those special screws to maker burner adjustments yourself. If those conditions don't apply and low simmer is very important, I'd recommend the Bluestar to avoid any potential problem. Some new CCs won't have the same problem as mine did - but some will. Pictures soon ...

Sparkling Water This is my first open burner range. So far I could not be more pleased. I have always had gas for my home stove, but this is a fair step up from the wimpy burners and "simmerers" I had before. Breezy There is a somewhat smaller Chef King that would be easier to store. You might check it out. It will still fit over 2 burners, I think. I just can't wait to fix pancakes on my big one! I used the wok ring tonight for the first time. I really like it. It is designed to contain the heat on two opposing sides and vent extra heat out the other two sides. This maintains cooler places you can pull foods that don't need the high heat. You can also position the wok so the handle(s) are protected by the high sides from heat. It heated wonderfully, of course, on the CC. I am very pleased that I ordered the wok ring with the range. I love stir fry, and this works better than a skillet. And much better than my wok used to on my old JennAire. You do want a good sized wok, not a 10 or 12 inch one. I think they recommend 14". Trevor, I think, has a nice video on using the wok grate. This post was edited by Bellsmom on Mon, Aug 4, 14 at 9:50

The credit report says "Too many open accounts", as 'househunting' has stated. (well something like that) I have about 7 open, 3 with balances. I don't remember my fico - at least 760 but under 800. Thx for all the info here. I haven't read it ALL yet, but I will certainly look into reducing cr limits rather than closing...altho, there is one I know I can close. The 'average' history time is something to keep in mind. My credit report looks really messy and confused. I've found that ONE of my cc accounts 'appears' on report like 3 or 5 times! So, it looks like I have more than I actually do. This is due to banks/financial mergers/buyouts, and the company changing the cc accounts #'s for one reason or another. For example: I had cc 'A' several years back which I had used and paid off. Then another company took over bank "A" - The company sent a new card with new company name on it. which is now cc 'B'. (cc 'A' is no longer valid) Then company "B" upgrades my account after some time, sending me a new card with new acc't # (cc "C" - "to REPLACE existing card". (I never used bank "B" or "C" cards.) Another company takes over company "B", sends me new card with *their* name. Now I have cc "D". After awhile, company "upgrades" my account, "to replace existing card". Now I have cc "E"...which I have used. So, my credit report reflects 5 cc's, but in reality only ONE cc has ever been valid. It's not like I 'applied' for all these. They just kept sending them automatically to REPLACE another. This also happened recently with a major bank cc...I had had the same acct # for over 25 years, and suddenly they sent a cc with a new acc't #. When I called about this, they said they were changing ALL customers' account #'s. SO, my credit report reflects TWO accounts, when the card is actually the same. (And it really IS the same. I can call and enter my OLD acc't # and the same exact info is reflected...such as balance, pymt rec'd, etc. Well, I paid that one off Nov...so I don't know now. For two cards and two accounts, my report LOOKS like I have/had SEVEN different accounts. (Which I DID, but, not really....does that make sense?) OK, now I'm really mad since I've written this out LOL! It never occured to me how updated/replacement cc's could mess up one's cr report! I wouldn't be able to rent from 'househunting', because it appears worse than it really is! HA! OK, then I have another problem with old Dept Store CC's showing up...The stores have merged or no longer exist, yet they are still on report. (An example would be *like* Robinson's/May...I had a Robinson's card, and I had a MayCo card. I only used them each once for work gift exchange!, and I've never had a 'Robinson's/May' card.) I haven't used many store cards for at least 15 years! I have used Penney's and Mervyns', but closed those out years ago (when I found out they also accept visa/mc) Guess it's going to take a lot...

Paintergirl - The rug is in and it looks fabulous! And it was on sale - originally $100 and got it for $75! *high fives you* Yes- we have a Michaels here and it's pretty close by. The painting is 36X36, so how long would the panels have to be? The drawing looks fab, but the chair would be a lot taller than the panel on the left-hand side. Do we shorten the panel, or would it still be okay? I asked my husband if he could make a frame and he wasn't sure if he could make it perfect. He is semi-handy, but it is not his area of expertise. And I am no help....lol. Lisa - Thanks for all of the compliments. And I am so lucky to have these wonderful people to help me with the room. I never expected this much help and I am beyond thankful! The loveseat is a little longer than the wall, but the furniture is temporary. I will be getting new stuff in about a year or 2. We need the seating since we are a family of 4 and we all like to lay on the furniture. lol. The wall color is Teal Stencil from Sherwin Williams. And there are two chairs - I brought the other one up from the basement. If I can't make the wall easily enough, I may hang "the kiss" on the right side of the tv. I will then have to figure out what to put above the loveseat. lol. Thanks again all! Extra special super duper thanks to Paintergirl! ;-)