Av - glad to see your post - Viking is a brand people love to bash - but few (that bash) have actual experience. We have 36" AG range for almost 2yrs now - I'm a big cook & we have a busy household - Love this range it's powerhouse & does what it is supposed to. I like that all burners are 15K so now guess work on configurations - - 15K x 6 is plenty of power for me, I have never felt the need for more. I have Viking portable griddle over 2 burners - works great! The broiler, oven, convection features are all great - I have even started baking much more than previously because I love how even this oven bakes I was the skeptic did research - went to appliance stores to see demos then went to a Viking dealership where I saw products & their competitors perform side by side - that is was sold me Getting it in a color - bonus Good luck Here is a link that might be useful: Viking 36

First, I wouldn't put a ton of stock in CR reviews. Also, my impression is that negative Bluestar reviews tend to focus on ranges b/c of oven issues. Since you are looking at a cooktop and not a range, they aren't necessarily relevant. Instead, I would look at reviews on sites like abt.com and ajmadison.com. I find they are pretty accurate when combined with the threads here. Just take your time. My Bluestar is the 30 inch cooktop. They only sell one, so it will be easy to find. I paid standard price - $1574. It has 2 22K open burners. I am still in the throws of remodeling (currently tiling floor) so I can't give real feedback yet on use of it. But with that said, $2600 seems high for an Elux cooktop. I do like my 27" double ovens. I paid about $2075 for them, which I thought was a good price. Again, I have only used them once to reheat something. I would suggest buying the same brand oven and fridge so your handles match, assuming you aren't installing a paneled fridge. The other suggestion I have is to consider your venting and if you will need make up air. Venting is expensive and island venting even more so. Six months ago I was in your shoes. The people here are a great help and with hours of research on your own and pounding the pavement to showrooms, you will learn a lot and be able to make the right choice for your home.

Don't know if the NXR could be said to boost resale values of the house more than the Berta ranges or vice versa. Neither brand is well known. The Bertas do look spiffier and you can get them with colored finishes.. The NXR is, frankly, plain and definitely industrial looking. THe NXR might look fine, though. Have you seen the Fine Homebulding spread that I've linked to below? It's an article about a transitional neighboorhood reno (Bay Area, though) with a 36" NXR and a Kobe hood. Gives an idea of possibilities. The Berta range and hood combo sounds like quite the deal. Is that dual-fuel Berta a 36" or a 30" unit? Price seems way low for a 36" dual fuel Berta. Last I recall hearing here was that a 36" all-gas Berta could be had for $2999 but that the dual fuel models were a lot more expensive. Also, what do you know about the hood that goes with the Berta range? Here is a link that might be useful: Fine Homebuilding: Alex Nerland's kitchen with NXR This post was edited by JWVideo on Wed, Sep 4, 13 at 18:57

Bluestar. And don't forget the $$ for a good vent to go with it.