Early Research: Blue Star, Le Cornue, Lacanache, Wolf, CC. Etc
catnpnw
12 years ago
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stooxie
12 years agoRelated Discussions
So let's say I don't want to go the Wolf range route...
Comments (25)Kitten, I'm with breezy on this. Forget the brand name or any perceived pretension that comes with it. Assuming it fits your budget, the main factors you need to worry about are is it reliable and does it meet your needs? This is your kitchen and you need to live with and use it on a daily basis. I ended up with a 48" range. One of my design goals was to maximize counter and storage space. I started out wanting wall ovens, but that sacrificed counter space. The 48" is a good compromise, because although it is 48" wide, it can double up as counter space as needed. I have a cover over my grill and I routinely use it and adjacent unused burners for either mis en place or plating. It's also a great landing area for items coming out of the oven. Depending on your counter material, you have zero worries about hunting for a trivet. You should also reconsider whether you really need a DF range. I have an AG and I don't miss any of the electric features in a main oven. I admit, I do also have a GE Advantium which does have all the whiz-bang features. But it needs those features to work properly. When it comes to the oven, it's just set the temp and bake or roast. It is a minor inconvenience that there is no auto on/off or timed cooking feature. But that just means I have to hang around. The upside is that I have zero fears about using the self-clean feature of my oven because there are no digital electronics to fry. Do go through the exercise of redesigning with a wall oven. But don't let superficial concerns drive you to go in a direction that doesn't meet your needs....See MoreBlueStar Maintenance Issues, What's the Truth?
Comments (150)"berryberry," please think whatever you want to off me, but you're apparently misreading. You claim that I wrote "half a dozen times about some darn refrigerator that she bought from Eurostoves and was replaced at her request with a different model that cost $600 less and she is sore about not getting $600 back." The fridge was non-working/damaged on arrival. It was attempted to be fixed many times. In the end, it was leaking water on the floor and the freezer had failed totally (wouldn't cool below 42 degrees). It was replaced with a different model than what I'd paid for, because Jade, the original brand, had gone under/changed hands since the purchase. I was forced to accept a lesser-value exchange OR pay to re-do my cabinets to fit another brand OR wait 12-15 weeks for the Jenn-Air built-to-order through my local dealer. (And to get the buy back, they would have already had to have the other fridge back during that 12-15 week wait. Why they couldn't help my local dealer get the replacement fridge in a reasonable time--so I could buy it from them--I never understood, but it was made clear that wasn't an option.) That's a HUGELY different scenario than "Eurostoves replaced [the fridge with another brand] at her request." The fridge I paid for had features--namely total stainless steel interior, glass shelves and more of them--that I paid that up-charge to get (I had looked at, and decided against, the Jenn-Air in the purchasing process), and now don't have. How is that fair? "berryberry," please think whatever you want to off me, but you're apparently misreading. You claim that I wrote "half a dozen times about some darn refrigerator that she bought from Eurostoves and was replaced at her request with a different model that cost $600 less and she is sore about not getting $600 back." The fridge was non-working/damaged on arrival. It was attempted to be fixed many times. In the end, it was leaking water on the floor and the freezer had failed totally (wouldn't cool below 42 degrees). It was replaced with a different model than what I'd paid for, because Jade, the original brand, had gone under/changed hands since the purchase. I was forced to accept a lesser-value exchange OR pay to re-do my cabinets to fit another brand OR wait 12-15 weeks for the Jenn-Air built-to-order through my local dealer. (And to get the buy back, they would have already had to have the other fridge back during that 12-15 week wait. Why they couldn't help my local dealer get the replacement fridge in a reasonable time--so I could buy it from them--I never understood, but it was made clear that wasn't an option.) That's a HUGELY different scenario than "Eurostoves replaced [the fridge with another brand] at her request." The fridge I paid for had features--namely total stainless steel interior, glass shelves and more of them--that I paid that up-charge to get (I had looked at, and decided against, the Jenn-Air in the purchasing process), and now don't have. How is that fair? "Add to that the multitude of times she has mentioned ordering the 2006 model to save money (based on her estimated house completion time of Jan 07) but when her house was delayed til April she was upset she didn't get the 2007 model." I've NEVER once said I purchased the 2006 Bluestar model to save money. That was Mr. Lawson's claim--that he did me a favor by having me order so early. In fact, we actually spoke--and I have it in writing via email--many times about me not wanting to be stuck with last year's model of anything. (He assured me he would do research and do his best to make sure that didn't happen, though he never guaranteed it.) By the time I ordered my appliances I knew Jan. '07 wasn't likely and I feared I was ordering too early, but again I listened to Mr. Lawson's advice. My point was that, if he hadn't mistakenly shipped my appliances in 10/06, when I didn't need them until 4/07, I would have received the new model AND wouldn't have had to pay extra to move the burners. There was no "savings" at all, despite Mr. Lawson's claim, AND I got an older product. As I said before, you are definitely correct that the fridge has nothing to do with this thread topic. And, again, I was using it only to clarify my problems with Eurostoves and respond to a poster who cited it as an example of why I should be dis-trusted. (Notice I didn't even mention it until MONTHS after the first posts.) "Add to that the multitude of times she has mentioned ordering the 2006 model to save money (based on her estimated house completion time of Jan 07) but when her house was delayed til April she was upset she didn't get the 2007 model." I've NEVER once said I purchased the 2006 Bluestar model to save money. That was Mr. Lawson's claim--that he did me a favor by having me order so early. In fact, we actually spoke--and I have it in writing via email--many times about me not wanting to be stuck with last year's model of anything. (He assured me he would do research and do his best to make sure that didn't happen, though he never guaranteed it.) By the time I ordered my appliances I knew Jan. '07 wasn't likely and I feared I was ordering too early, but again I listened to Mr. Lawson's advice. My point was that, if he hadn't mistakenly shipped my appliances in 10/06, when I didn't need them until 4/07, I would have received the new model AND wouldn't have had to pay extra to move the burners. There was no "savings" at all, despite Mr. Lawson's claim, AND I got an older product. Also, Mr. Lawson is well aware--because he was copied on the emails too; he even forwarded one back to me, just today--that I have emailed Bluestar multiple times and received no response. Because this entire thing has turned into he-said, she-said, I prefer to keep all communication in writing, since I have been, MANY times in this process, promised/told one thing on the phone and then told I was a liar when I repeated it back. If we do everything in writing, that can't happen, on either side. (Also, again contrary to Mr. Lawson's claim, Mr. Trapp never gave me his cell phone number--not that I think he should--but, Mr. Lawson is correct, because of what I said above, I haven't called. I will add that Mr. Trapp has always had my phone number too, and hasn't called me either.) Mr. Lawson also sent me a threatening email today saying he was if I "bite him" one more time, he's "done helping me." Whatever that means. I mean it when I say, I don't care if you agree with me--I respect your right to believe I'm a crackpot--I just can't help but be bothered when what you're saying I said/did just isn't at all accurate. I never once threatened anyone. I didn't say, if you don't do this, I'll post. I said I'd post if he did something good, just to let him know I'd be fair, and because Mr. Lawson has let me know he's hugely invested in what is written here about him and his company. I HAVE posted to try and get him to do the right thing, but only because I learned, the hard way, that unless you "shame him," as he once said to me himself, he doesn't do anything. I did say to Bluestar, when they said they wouldn't get my burners working (this was after months and months of round and round), that if they didn't want to deal with me, they could buy my unit back. (I said this to them directly, not via this forum.) That's not a threat, it's just the truth. It was only after the fridge debacle that I even knew such a thing was possible. From install in April to December 2007 I could only use three burners on my six-burner stovetop, and only one worked 100 percent correctly. We paid to have a gas company come out and make sure the line and pressure was correct (Bluestar insisted it couldn't be, even though they wouldn't check) and, even after that proved out, I had to sign a document saying I would pay Bluestar if the person who came out discovered my burners weren't right because of an "install error." It was NOT an install error, by the way, but I never heard a single word of apology, or anything else from Bluestar. I waited eight months--and wasted hours of my life calling, writing and begging, while they told me it wasn't their problem--for a fix that took about 35 minutes. Instead, after my first post in this thread, I got a nasty email from Mr. Trapp that basically said how dare I say anything negative about his company after they did me a favor by getting my burners working. All I've ever wanted--and I reiterated this to Mr. Lawson today--is the appliances I paid for to work, properly. To receive what I was promised prior to sale. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing special. Anyway, the reason I usually don't read or post here is because the whole thing has been hugely stressful for me and now I'm right back there in that bad place where I walk around all day feeling sick to my stomach, flabbergasted and confused at how people are so angry at me for telling my story--or how they can so totally misunderstand my comments and intentions. It seems like if I keep it simple and just state my broad complaint, I'm slammed for being vague, and if I then go back and explain my issues in detail, I'm told I'm "changing my story." I hope no one ever has to go through ANY of the things I have had to go through, with any vendor or product. -Susan W....See MoreLa Cornu Fe`-- $?
Comments (28)rococogurl, Thanx for the suggestion of Miele. We have two Miele dishwashers, and I absolutely love them. The Miele and our Subzero are the best appliances I've *ever* purchased. But I have my hopes set on something other than stainless steel. I'm waffling on the Viking. It doesn't make sense to spend that kind of money for "pretty" when it doesn't meet my functional requirements. gooster, I will call Purcell Murray tomorrow. I am simply drooling over both the La Cornue and Lacanhe (I love the looks of the Lacanche the best). I'll post whatever I find out -- just in case someone ese might be looking for the same information. I appreciate all of your suggestions, and I love to do research, so keep your comments coming :) joyce...See MoreBlueStar Owners: What do you like most about your range?
Comments (36)I purchased two basic 30" Bluestar ranges on special sale, for $1750 each, for my sister and her best friend about a year ago. They do a lot of wok cooking, roasting, and very little baking. One is a DIY, the other less so, and yes, they've had to replace most of the igniters. They are also chefs, and accustomed to taking extra care with professional equipment. Verdict? You might as well take their right arms off at the elbow than get them to switch ranges! Foremost on their list of "pros" is flame and temperature control, specifically high heat wok cooking. Both claim professional results, as confirmed by many on this site. If you are crazy for Asian cuisine, you've found your mid-priced range. My sister, Ann, also loves the broiler, which gives her meats the sear she loves to put on her dinner table. They do not recommend any professional range to beginners, unless you are willing to go to cooking school, and I agree. I chose to go with a little Capital 24" range, which I hope to have up and running soon. I am more of a baker than a wok wizard, and not much of a housekeeper, so sealed burners (easy cleaning) and precise, even oven heat steered me towards Capital. The Bluestar's open burners are the secret to high output flame control, but they don't wipe clean the way sealed burners do. My sister says it's no problem at all, especially for her new best friend... Research shows the designers at Bluestar and Capital have historically produced commercial ranges only, making inroads into people's homes just for the last few years. The reverse can be said of residential brands such as Kitchenaid, Whirlpool, Thermador, etal. I think it's important to remember the difference, since form follows function in so many of our choices. Commercial ranges have less to do with stylish appearance than durability, high heat, and precise control, all of which comes with costly maintenance (including replacement parts and repairs), and of course, astronomical prices. That said, the Bluestar is a very stylish package that satisfies in both commercial, and residential, applications....See Morealexrander
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