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Best alternative to a 36" BlueStar RNB six burner gas range?

7 years ago

I am in the process of building a new home and had my heart set on getting a 36" Blue Star RNB six burner gas range. However, the builder has informed me that their distributor cannot get me a Blue Star and has offered these alternatives...
a) Wolf GR366
b) Viking VGCC536-68SS
c) Thermador PRG366GH
d) GE Monogram ZGP366

What would you pick and why?

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

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Comments (5)

Chanop
7 years ago
Can they get a Capital Culinarian or Connoisseurian 36"? Those other four options are all sealed burners. Perhaps, push the builder to get another supplier if you are keen on open burners.
vml68 thanked Chanop
cookncarpenter
7 years ago
Why not buy the range yourself, and supply it to your builder. That's a very typical scenario in custom home building.
If this is a tract home, have the builder credit you for the range that would have been provided.

Get what you want, this is your home...
vml68 thanked cookncarpenter
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We have had the 36" Blue Star range (model RCS36SB) for about 5 years and would not recommend it. The knobs get very warm and we have had problems with the convection fan as well as ignition (gas would build up in the oven while it failed to ignite), both problems required multiple service visits The latest problem, the oven knob broke off and Bluestar said they no longer manufacture the part. Bluestar said they changed from a mechanical thermostat to an electronic thermostat and the ”upgrade” would cost $350 to purchase, not including installation (total cost estimated at least $500). I assume they redeigned the oven knob/thermostat because they had so many problems with the knob, convection and ignition. Even though it was under warranty and the knob broke due to faulty design, the service manager refused to provide a replacement part. I guess you can expect problems to occur with any appliance, but I do not expect them to provide such poor service, especially when they know it broke due to their own design flaw. It takes them days to follow up on service questions. Best to stay away from Blue Star.
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wekick
7 years ago
What cooksncarpenter says. If for some reason you are forced to take one that you don't want, sell it and buy what you want.
vml68
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Chanop - I am not familiar with the Capital ranges. I will look into them.

cookncarpenter - It is not a tract home. I did ask the builder if I could buy it myself and also gave them the name of the local dealer, so they could buy it and charge me a little extra for their efforts but they won't do it. If their distributor can't get it then they won't deal with it. It is a bit frustrating.

Other options I am considering...

a) buy the Wolf through the builder and then switch it out later for the Blue Star. It would involve having to sell the Wolf and I don't know if I would find a buyer or how much of a hit I would take on the price.

b) let them install the 36" whirlpool cooktop that comes standard in their homes and then get the Blue Star. It would involve cutting the granite countertop after it is in place and also possibly modifying the cabinets to fit the Blue Star.

I am not particularly keen on either option but I think (a) might be the least hassle and the most expensive route.
jwvideo
7 years ago
Seems to me that it would be a lot less hassle to just buy the Blue Star that you want and pay somebody to install it. There really is not much to installing a gas stove.

The expensive work is in cabinet and countertops installations which will be the same regardless of which 36" range you buy. Just be sure to download the install instructions which will specify the placement of the gas supply and electric outlet. You can also download the instructions for the Wolf, Viking, Monogram and Thermador, too, and verify that nothing unusual is required for the Blue Star.

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