Bluestar grates will likely fit in any dishwasher. I put the entire top of my Bluestar in the dishwasher. Grates, bowls, burners with ignitors, everything. When you put the burners back, you just blow the water out of the tips first. Shouldn't be an issue with the Culinarian as I think the burner caps lift off. If you are just doing grates on the Bluestar it is easy. Lay them face down in the top rack. Stacking them a bit is fine, but stagger them out a bit. I imagine something similar would work with the Culinarian.

Gee, I agree with Live_Wire_Oak. I have uncoated cast iron grates, and it has never even occurred to me to put them in the DW. I either just wipe them with a paper towel, or if dirtier, scrub them with one of those green scrubby sponges, then thoroughly wipe dry. Takes, oh, five minutes (30" gas range). Sorry I'm not really answering your question, but there are so many other things that would drive my DW purchase, that the grates' fit would not even be on my list. I would be more concerned with capacity for dishes and glasses, cleaning ability, drying ability (don't overlook drying ability), reliability, whether I want a disposal or not, whether I want a cutlery tray or not, and of course, price.

There aren't that many attractive heat resistant paints on the market available for a DIYer to tackle a stove project. One option is to have it coated with a high temperature powder coating, but that's an expensive option and not likely to be worth it for such a short term. Another option would be to check out an auto parts store for spray enamel that is meant for engine coatings. However, to get it to stick will require a good deal of prep. It'll have to be sanded enough to get a "tooth" and then prime with a high heat primer and then the paint. What ever you choose, do NOT use just "plain" paint for your stove. It can burn and emit toxic fumes, which is why enamel is used on stoves. Enamel is fused glass on metal which is why it's so difficult to paint. It might be easier to just find a second hand stove on Craig's List.

I usually cook alone, and my dishwasher is in my prep area right now. I find it's always in the way. These are reasons why I might need the dishwasher while prepping/cooking. I'm listing them in case any of them might come up for you: 1) The dishwasher just ran a load. This is common if the kitchen is such a mess that I have to clean it up before I start cooking. It runs and finishes while I'm cooking, and then I would prefer to be able to open the dishwasher door and let the items in it finish drying/cooling down so I can unload in between cooking steps. That frees up the dishwasher to be loaded with the dishes I just created from cooking after I'm done. 2) I have a few minutes free while cooking and start cleaning up my cooking dishes -- I usually have most of the kitchen cleaned by the time I'm done cooking. 3) I forgot that some of the utensils I need for cooking are sitting in the dishwasher and have to open it to retrieve them. Other considerations: The plan where your dishwasher is next to the cooktop also puts the dishwasher much farther from the sink and perpendicular to it . That is far less ergonomic for loading purposes and involves way more dripping on the floor than a dishwasher that is simply right next to the sink. You need space between the fridge and the wall to its left to allow the fridge door to open far enough for you to be able to get the fridge drawers out. Usually people do a 9-12" skinny pantry pullout between the fridge and wall. If you are not already planning for this, typically we recommend that your hood be 6" wider than the range (so a 36" hood for a 30" range). Steam/cooking fumes spread as they rise, so a slightly wider hood does a better job capturing it all. In lieu of a counter overhand, you might make the banquette top material something that could also serve as a counter -- butcher block, maybe -- for the times when you want to sit while you work. It'll be a much bigger work surface, so you can spread out, and people generally find table height seating more comfortable than counter height seating anyway.