Ugh, I'm sorry, all... I will make every effort to write a comprehensive review very soon. It's been on my list! For now, by way of a quick update, I'm still very pleased with the AR Performer. Awesome burner power for searing, quickly heating everything. The simmer is comparable to any other range I've used in the category of commercial/semi-commercial gas ranges. (I've used Wolf, Viking, Blue Star, but not Capital). The low simmer remains WAY better than even my mom's Viking cooktop, which is not nearly as powerful as the AR.) I do a lot of sauces and candy-making, and I have no complaints about the low-heat and simmer properties. (I usually use reasonably heavy/good quality cookware, mostly All-Clad, which definitely factors in). There are times, when doing a smaller batch of pasta sauce on a long simmer, for example, that I'll turn it off for a bit, but that's been the case with every gas range I've ever had. For most medium to large batches of soups, sauces, etc, the simmer is just perfect; I can get it quite low. The oven, also, is fantastic. I LOVE the large (full-sheet) capacity, and that's one of the reasons I chose the AR over the others. Heats very evenly, and I've been really pleased with how it handles everything from cakes to macarons, and the roasting and broiling is also superb. As I've mentioned before, none of the other ranges in this category can compare in terms of the quality of the shelves; they are heavy-gauge steel, as are the racks, and they are super solid and slide smoothly. That is actually something that makes a huge difference to me, especially when taking delicate items, like souffles out. I still highly recommend the AR Performer; I love it and have no regrets about my decision to buy it over the BS or CC. I say go for it!

Gotta say I'm more than happy with my 36" RNB. I have been using it for just about a year now and have not had 1 issue. I did break the thermostat for the griddle while installing the hi-back guard and shelf but it was replaced very quickly, my fault. I replaced it too, no need for a service guy w/these machines, I adjusted all my burners too, easy. I also have a 30" Wolf convection and a Wolf steam oven but do use the BS oven for pizza, big hunks of meat and anything I want to use a big sheet pan for. The BS oven is the quietest when using convection mode and I love the ability to turn the fan off w/a switch, the Wolf fan stays on for quite some time after the oven is off and is LOUD. The steam oven fan is also relatively loud, we use that oven the most of any of them. I would absolutely purchase another BS range. I hadn't even heard of them until I was starting my new construction and ended up on this site. I read all the horror stories but with all the stellar reviews I figured I'd take a chance. Got a moss green range and matching pro-line 1200 cfm hood (talk about loud). Initially I was interested in the AR performer, the place I purchase from had Capital, AR and BS all right next to each other (didn't even consider a Wolf). I had looked at an AR at another place by itself but when I saw it next to the BS I didn't even look at it again. I may have been equally happy w/the AR but am very happy with my BS. Really the only thing I was remotely concerned about was the hot door as I have young twins (5 now, 4 when we moved in). When I saw my boy sitting on the floor in front of the range with his back against the door while it was on my worries were over, he was 'warming up'. Heck my Wolf lower panel gets hot enough to be quite unpleasant when it's on which surprised me as no one has ever complained about that. Having the 'known good' Wolf in the same kitchen as the BS oven I can say they've both been brilliant. However it does make the Wolf seem 'not soo special' since the BS is equally 'special'. I do most of my bread baking in the BS just cause I can fit more in there but have used all 3 (steam oven only goes up to 445 deg though), they all work great but the end product is slightly different in each which is kinda cool.

RCS brochure http://www.bluestarcooking.com/pdfs/bluestar_rcs_30.pdf RNB brochure http://www.bluestarcooking.com/pdfs/bluestar_rnb_30.pdf RNB brochure mentions convection feature while RCS brochure does not. I think some retailers may assume RCS has convection,maybe Canadian/Costco version is different and does have convection. Last time I saw a RCS in the store(about two years ago)it did not have convection. I can see why someone who owned both a RNB and Culinarian would claim a superior perspective on which is better. Not someone who just own's one. Naturally you want to self justify your purchase and may be prone to becoming a cheerleader for one or the other. I don't own either,sell one or the other,nor anyway connected to the appliance industry. But I have used both now. And I like the Culinarian better.

It just seems from what I've read here, there is a lot more trouble with the ovens in American ranges. It seems that the service can be more of a gamble too. If you search American Performer, you can read more. It is the closest in function to the RNB. It has star shaped uncapped burners like the RNB but with a semi sealed burner tray. It might be ok for a range top but I would not want the range. American also has ranges with capped and sealed burners and lower BTUs. Their DF has sealed and capped burners and a fairly simple oven, single fan, with only a standard bake and a true convection mode. There is very little in the manual so I would want to really see how it worked before I bought. If you don't have confidence in a local dealer for BS, consider buying from Trevor Lawson at Eurostoves. He takes excellent care of his customers and has helped some on this forum who did not buy from him.