$500 range vs $5000 range
debrak_2008
11 years ago
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MeMcG
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30' All-Gas Range - DCS vs. Thermador vs. Viking
Comments (8)I have done a fair bit (somewhere between lots and nuts) of looking at 30" ranges of late. I've settled on the BlueStar, which doesn�t quite fit your model � standard layout has 2x22k burners, 1x15k burner, and 1 x simmer burner. You can re-arrange these for a very small up-charge; and I reckon they�ll build you a range with a different mix of burners as well. But my understanding is that the 22k burners, even on low, are not great for really low output simmering. Hence, if you really want all four burners to "go to 11," as it were (22k btu), this might not be your first choice. If it's a deal-breaker, then it is. I ruled out Viking early. First, I'm upgrading from a GE Profile that's a dozen years old or so. Moving to 4 sealed burners with a max output of 15k is not what I want � I can get more power from the new GE ranges. Second, I have concerns about reliability. I know a couple of folks personally (not just virtually) who have had problems with Viking, and CR reports a relatively high failure rate for the brand (I know that CR gets a lot of flack on this board for a variety of reasons, and I regard them as a mixed bag � OTOH, I don't think for an instant that they cook their numbers and when they report double the failure rate based on a decent sized survey sample, or "n," that's a concern for me). Wolf offers the same output, better reliability numbers from CR, and better consumer satisfaction numbers from JD Power. Thermador was a fall-back choice for me and my preference among the sealed burner options � I liked the size, shape, and elevation of the star burners, which go to about 18k btu (plenty for most applications). Plus I've cooked on one and have some friends nearby who've had good luck with theirs � tiny little samples, arbitrarily chosen, but the personal reports and hands-on exposure count for me. The CC range mentioned above may most closely fit your criteria. It's likely well worth a serious look if you can check one out in person. My own decision to focus on BlueStar has nothing to do with any particular defects with the Capital. An up-close examination of the ergonomics matters to me. I really like the way BlueStar uses the limited space of the 30" top, for one thing � a very key thing, for me personally � and the operation of the new racks in the oven seems very solid and smooth. For another, I tend to prefer models that have been out in the market � and subject to minor fixes and tweaks � for a few years. For another, I've got a colleague who has been using the 36" version of the range for 4 years or so, as well as a friend of a good friend, who grew up in the restaurant business and has several years' experience with the 30" BS (and a willingness to converse and provide very, very detailed reports). Tiny, arbitrary samples, but when systematic evidence is terrible or entirely absent, I give a fair bit of weight to face-to-face conversation with folks I know. Of course these are all reasons for me that might not apply to your search at all. And as I said at the top, the BS range in standard configuration just does not meet your criterion of having all four burners go from super low to super high. It's not an issue for me, but I understand the drive to optimize flexibility on a relatively small top, with only 4 burners (personally, I�m going to augment the range with a small, portable induction burner that can be pulled out as needed to, e.g., keep stock on simmer off to the side, or keep a back-up pot of water near boiling, but out of the way when I need that, and put away when I don�t). But this is going to be your range, and there�s no point in going to the trouble, and spending the money, if you are not going to get what you want....See Moredcs 30' all-gas range vs nxr vs something else
Comments (7)I know nothing of the DCS so will leave that to those that own it. But we bought an NXR almost exactly 1 year ago and love it so far. Personally for the price of under $2000 I seriously doubt you will find any better. Great burners, all 15,000BTU and all go down to a very low simmer. Can fit 4 large pots on it. Has a very nice infrared broiler. Heavy duty grates and heavy stainless oven racks. We bought the older model which we preferred NRG3001. Not had a single problem with it so far and if I had a do over I would buy the same stove again. We bought ours for $1799....See MoreAll-gas vs. dual-fuel vs. induction - 30" range
Comments (28)So I'll update this, as we still haven't made a decision. Induction: I bought an induction burner and like it, although it isn't as life-changing as I sort of expected. (I realize the power is much lower than a range or cooktop would be.) We also had an electrician examine our house, and he thinks we can put one in. My dad (also an electrician) and husband agree we should do a max load test before we put 40 or more amps on the panel, though. (Long story short: we have a 200 amp breaker but 100 amps coming into the house, so we need to put in a smaller breaker.) So it's still a bit up in the air. Gas/dual-fuel: I went to look at the Aga Legacy today and really liked it. I'm also going to look at a Lacanche soon, at a Lacanche ambassador's house. Both of those are, frankly, more than I wanted to pay, but I really love the looks and some of the features a lot (ovens on the Aga, simmer plate and large burner on the Lacanche). I've also considered a BlueStar or Big Chill Pro Style (rebadged BlueStar), but there isn't one local to me. The price, features, and availability of the color finish are good, but I'm a little nervous about all the issues people have had. I think I've looked at nearly every option out there, but I'd love to hear more if anyone has ideas!...See More36" American Range All Gas vs 36" Wolf All Gas Range
Comments (6)In February we were making a decision about the AG ranges and were looking at American, Bluestar and Wolf. We did tons of research and looked and looked. At that time I was also thinking I wanted a color range rather than stainless, so that narrowed it down to Bluestar and American. We decided the American was a better value than the Bluestar and were ready to order until we did a final measurement and discovered that the extra depth of the Performer would not work in our particular configuration because a drawer on an adjacent wall wouldn't open. So, much as we would have liked it, that eliminated that possibility. Then, we found an AG Wolf floor model on clearance (one of the old models with the open burner) and bought that. I like it, but personally I wouldn't want the burners on the new model Wolf. And, there have been a couple times (maybe only 3 or 4) when I thought to myself I would have liked to have one of the more powerful burners from the Performer. In your shoes, I'd save the money and get the Performer. This doesn't mean I don't like the Wolf; it just means that I don't think it is worth the extra money now, especially considering the fact it has sealed burners....See Moreshadygrove
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