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Bluestar simmer - needs adjustment right?

11 years ago

I got my brand new Bluestar 6 burner rangetop 3 weeks ago.

The first time I tried to make something requiring a low-ish simmer was this weekend - braised cabbage. Even on the simmer burner, the cabbage was boiling away in a 5 qt Le Creuset pot. It was simmering lower on one of the 15k burners, but still not very low. My old cheapo Frigidaire was better.

Does it need professional adjustment? Or is it something I can do myself?

Featured Answer

User

11 years ago

Whoever installed your BS should have performed two adjustments:

1. Adjust the air shutters on all burners. This adjustment will allow for the proper amount of air/gas (controls the color of flames, lowers lifting flames, etc)

2. Adjust the minimum/low flame on all burners. This is done by removing the front control knobs and inserting a small flat screwdriver. Then turn the screw to adjust the burner flame height from high/low positions (this screw can initially be tight so a good screwdriver should be used).

The default settings on our rangetop had the low settings a bit high. They were adjusted down to only a small blue dot on each burner hole without any clicking. On the small (9k) burner you should be able to hold you hand over the burner when on low and it should not burn you - plus you can also raise the center round part of the grate if needed.

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Comments (9)

wekick
11 years ago
Also in addition to adjusting the burners, LeCreuset is probably the worst thing to simmer in. It is cast iron so conducts heat poorly. All the heat stays in the base. Heavy copper or aluminum will simmer much better.
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I think the simmer burner is really useful for super low heat maintained on stuff that easily burns or gets messy, tomato sauces and the like. You dial down the simmer burner to low and set most anything on it and it will sit there at serving temp while you do the rest of the cooking. I use it for that, mostly. I also plan to use it to make my Hollandaise Sauce. I cook it low and slow in Corningware with no double boiler. The simmer burner appears to be perfect for that. BUT, for ordinary simmering and the like, the 15k burners dial down great. In fact, you can simmer on any of the burners on my stove, keeping in mind that my highest output burner on our RCS model is 18k btus. I certainly enjoy the simmer burner on our 36" range but if I were talking about a 30" range with 4 burners only, I would probably forsake the simmer burner too and go with a 15k from a prioritization standpoint.
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Some commercial ranges have a French top, or griddle type of plate if they make a lot of sauces. Otherwise they just put the pan off to the side of the burner. The newest Culinarians have one specific simmer burner for small plates. The larger burners are of course adjustable down to a simmer, but not as low as the special simmer burner. Blluestar is much the same, although they also have a mid-sized burner as well. American also has various sized burners. And as mentioned, the simmer (or the low) can be adjusted somewhat on all the burners. A tip to cdycdm who posted above. You can set the low simmer (turning the knob to the left) just as low as turning the knob towards off. You would need to slide the knobs off and use a small screwdriver and set the flames lower. You can do a search here to find out how or call Bluestar. Here's a video to help you adjust your low setting- it's for a different brand, but the idea is the same Here is a link that might be useful: adjusting a simmer flame
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Stooxie: Many thanks for the tip. Yes I tried that, was aware that could be an issue. Unfortunately it is not the fix I need. I am pretty sure something is stripped inside. alexr: I feared that piece would have to come off but thank you so much for your input. You sound very knowledgeable! I am hoping it is easy to replace whatever needs to be once that is off. I believe it may be some kind of seat inside the valve? Maybe rubber or something? In any case I hope this is a good warning for others who may try the adjustment. Turns out my flames do not spark the ignitors at the low end. Trying to go lower just resulted in this mess. Lesson learned. Looks like I am on my own "simmer fixing" journey! Thanks again to everyone for help.
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cottonpenny
Original Author
11 years ago
I don't know what they did when they installed it. It was a new build so I wasn't here. I can only hold my hand about a foot above the simmer burner without burning when it's on low. And there is quite a bit more flame than a small blue dot.

I think the burners should be capable of simmering a covered 5qt pot without boiling dry. No matter the material, that's not asking a lot. As I said before, my low-end gas Frigidaire was capable of that.
jscout
11 years ago
Does Bluestar still have the "White Glove" service? If so, isn't that supposed to take care of the initial calibration?
cottonpenny
Original Author
11 years ago
I don't know. I don't think I received any white glove service that I know of.
stooxie
11 years ago
Here's a really simple test: put the knob on "high" and then turn RIGHT slowly as if to turn off. That will give you an infinite amount of control to lower that flame as low as you like. If it is much lower than your "low" then the valve needs to be adjusted as racmrc suggests.

You should be able to have a service call make the adjustments if you prefer not to.

On simmer you should have just little blue dots.

-Stooxie
buffalotina
11 years ago
Agree with all that has been said above. If you search this forum you will find one of my posts a while back where I adjusted the simmer on my burners. I made some mistakes and my thread will basically explain what those were and how to do it right! Good luck. This is a wonderful range.
User
11 years ago
I also agree with everyone that has written so far. It is surprising how a small adjustment can make such a difference. It's easier to do the adjustment in a slightly darkened room, so that you can see the flame better.

Do the little 'trial' test that Stooxie suggests- slowly turning the knob back towards 'off' until the flames barely float but the ignitor doesn't start clicking. That will give you an idea of how low you can then adjust all your burners...when the knob is turned back to simmer.

To do the adjustment requires removing the knob. Rather than explain it, I'll link to buffalotina's post

Here is a link that might be useful: Bluestar Simmer Fixed Do's and Don't
Wiley Loughran
2 months ago
I have the same problem- and had the techs out to adjust multiple times. No matter what they did the burners are way too hot. The simmer burner still boils water!!!!

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