BlueStar

SonVolt

Just got my replacement Bluestar Platinum delivered yesterday after the  last delivery team dropped it off my porch.  I'm really digging the grill (or griddle) accessory.  I'm more likely to use it as one big burner for multiple pots than I am a grill. 

GrateEggspectations

SonVolt said:

Just got my replacement Bluestar Platinum delivered yesterday after the  last delivery team dropped it off my porch.  I'm really digging the grill (or griddle) accessory.  I'm more likely to use it as one big burner for multiple pots than I am a grill. 

Just love that colour combo. Beautiful piece. I am envious. Will have to save my pennies for a big kitchen reno down the road. 

Just curious…. What sold you on Blue Star over and above other similarly high-priced options?

fishlessman

SonVolt said:

Just got my replacement Bluestar Platinum delivered yesterday after the  last delivery team dropped it off my porch.  I'm really digging the grill (or griddle) accessory.  I'm more likely to use it as one big burner for multiple pots than I am a grill. 

im surprised they dont make a simmer plate to fit on the grill section, my cluny has the grill and griddle but what a mess it makes. the bigger simmer plate stays on the stove top over two burners. bet you could make something for that

SonVolt

GrateEggspectations said:

SonVolt said:

Just got my replacement Bluestar Platinum delivered yesterday after the  last delivery team dropped it off my porch.  I'm really digging the grill (or griddle) accessory.  I'm more likely to use it as one big burner for multiple pots than I am a grill. 

Just love that colour combo. Beautiful piece. I am envious. Will have to save my pennies for a big kitchen reno down the road. 

Just curious…. What sold you on Blue Star over and above other similarly high-priced options?

I narrowed it down to Wolf and Bluestar. The Bluestar's open burners, higher BTU and IR broiler sold it for me, and the custom color options sold it for my wife. 

My wife's parents have a Wolf, so I had hands on experience with it. It's a very nice range and the fit and finish is probably a tad higher than Bluestar. However, when it came to functionality, the burners and broiler weren't any different than my regular old GE Profile. Same BTU output, same flame pattern & diameter etc. So no real functional difference.

Basically I didn't want to spend ~$7k on just an aesthetic upgrade. 

SonVolt

fishlessman said:

im surprised they dont make a simmer plate to fit on the grill section, my cluny has the grill and griddle but what a mess it makes. the bigger simmer plate stays on the stove top over two burners. bet you could make something for that

It comes with both grill grates and a flat top. You just yank out the grates and plop down the griddle, which should function as a simmer plate if needed. 

fishlessman

SonVolt said:

fishlessman said:

im surprised they dont make a simmer plate to fit on the grill section, my cluny has the grill and griddle but what a mess it makes. the bigger simmer plate stays on the stove top over two burners. bet you could make something for that

It comes with both grill grates and a flat top. You just yank out the grates and plop down the griddle, which should function as a simmer plate if needed. 

all i know about my removable griddle top is that after cooking bacon, sausages etc, all that cast iron on the range top gets seasoned and will never rust. i saw later that they added a ss piece that fits three sides in the back that keeps the spatter down. about 3 or 4 inches tall and built similar to the sides on a blackstone. it sits down in those griddle side edges on mine, never bought one though

SonVolt

Ah, yeah I don't cook either on the stove top for that reason. Bacon goes in the oven at 375F and sausage goes in at 500F on a preheated cast iron griddle to get the initial sear. Keeps all the smoke and splatter inside the oven.

NDG

I have appt friday with a distributor in a showroom that has BlueStar.  Is this a smart way to buy? 
 
Been following this Post for awhile with lust in my eyes, as our Kitchen Renovation starts MARCH, but will go into Summer for sure (project includes adding structural beams, new bathroom, new wood floors, etc. etc.). 

Our house was built in the 1940s, so even with reno space is tight . . so stuck with 30" range.  I will read over this entire thread again (the info on hoods is good stuff) but for now just wondering if ppl with BlueStar range purchased direct or from distributors? 

THANKS!   

alaskanassasin

NDG said:

I have appt friday with a distributor in a showroom that has BlueStar.  Is this a smart way to buy? 
 
Been following this Post for awhile with lust in my eyes, as our Kitchen Renovation starts MARCH, but will go into Summer for sure (project includes adding structural beams, new bathroom, new wood floors, etc. etc.). 

Our house was built in the 1940s, so even with reno space is tight . . so stuck with 30" range.  I will read over this entire thread again (the info on hoods is good stuff) but for now just wondering if ppl with BlueStar range purchased direct or from distributors? 

THANKS!   

We used Custom Distributors in Columbus. I don’t think they had any on the floor. I have the base model 30” I recommend getting the upgraded version with more powerful burners.

alaskanassasin

We have the zephyr hood and hate it. The buttons are touch type so if your fingers are wet or greasy or anything but perfect it won’t work. We had Big Sandy out several time and they replaced the button board but it still is a pita.

NDG

@alaskanassasin thanks for reply, apparently Custom Distributors has a new BlueStar section that is available to visit, but not fully done yet. 

I need to refresh myself on all the BlueStar models, but that is interesting as you feel the base model is weak.  Base model is probably what I am looking at, considering budget.  I just figured ALL bluestars had crazy powerful burners, so that "con" wasnt even on my radar. 

Good tip on the hood, appreciate it! 

alaskanassasin

NDG said:

@alaskanassasin thanks for reply, apparently Custom Distributors has a new BlueStar section that is available to visit, but not fully done yet. 

I need to refresh myself on all the BlueStar models, but that is interesting as you feel the base model is weak.  That is probably what I am looking at also.  I just figured ALL bluestars had crazy powerful burners, so that "con" wasnt even on my radar. 

Good tip on the hood, appreciate it! 

That was my assumption too, and I did not do any research but all my burners are 15K, and I would like a bit more BTU on at least one for large pots and wokking.   There is a way to convert to a higher output burner but I haven't got around to researching it, I called BS and asked for a larger burner and she told me they can't/won't do it.

SonVolt

I've got the Platinum which (I think) has higher BTUs, infrared broiler and a different convection system. If you're considering Bluestar, I would suggest saving up a little extra and going with this model.

So far I am head over heels in love with this oven.  The cooktop burners are insane - like burn the hairs off your arm hot if you're not careful. It's heat you can feel in your face.  You 100% need an external venting system, I don't think a recirculating exhaust will cut it. 

The oven feels much larger than standard ovens of the same size. They somehow thinned the walls to add several inches of usable space.  I can fit a full size commercial sheet pan in my relatively small 30" oven. It also roasts/browns much better than my old oven.

The broiler is basically an OttoWilde inside your oven, but bigger.  

My in-laws have a Wolf and while the fit and finish is super nice, functionally it doesn't feel or perform any different than my old GE Profile.  So far I feel like I made the right decision. 

SonVolt

As for a hood system, I went with Vent-a-Hood "Magic Lung" and have been so far very impressed. They aren't cheap though.

alaskanassasin

SonVolt said:

As for a hood system, I went with Vent-a-Hood "Magic Lung" and have been so far very impressed. They aren't cheap though.

I tried to change my hood out for the vent a hood with the appliance store but never heard back. 

 Is your convection fan loud? I know we discussed earlier but I never heard the results on yours.

NDG

@sonvolt THANKS !! I looked at the platinum line a moment ago, those upgrades are significant - I can see what you mean - what a BEAST. 

This sucks, bc the platinum is pricey unit, since we have to buy the Range first before project begins (many appliances take 5-10 weeks delivery), I cant splash that money down FIRST, since we are going to have some suprises (taking down exterior wall, moving hvac/heat duct, new fuse box / etc) along the way. 

I will see how the visit to the Showtoom goes on Friday, but I am getting the feeling I might have to get a higher end GE range this spring . . knowing that when it kicks the bucket, I will have a budget ready for my dream BlueStar range.

NDG

just bc I am excited, here is latest design.  Ideas/critique welcome. 

Ozzie_Isaac

NDG said:

just bc I am excited, here is latest design.  Ideas/critique welcome. 

Looks gorgeous!  Can you put storage in the bench beneath the window for the dinning table?

Canugghead

 Nice! my only question...any chance you can move the bidet room somewhere else? unless you got some insider tips from @dmchicago

fishlessman

growing up my mother went for one dishwasher, i suggested two, one for clean and one for dirty. she went with one, the dishes were always dirty

TEXASBGE2018

Ozzie_Isaac said:

NDG said:

just bc I am excited, here is latest design.  Ideas/critique welcome. 

Looks gorgeous!  Can you put storage in the bench beneath the window for the dinning table?

@NDG Looks good. My only suggestion is rethink the idea of one side of the seating being a bench. We went that route because we have young kiddos and they hate sitting there. When we have guests over everyone fights to sit down in the normal chairs first.

Ozzie_Isaac

Also, if you have the budget and the space, a dedicated ice maker is really nice, as is a boiling water spigot.

fishlessman

my only critique would be the kitchen toilet but i dont know the rest of the home. that room could really be a nice pantry area, maybe with a small coat closet near the door

alaskanassasin

Go here https://www.bluestarcooking.com/cooking/ranges/ and click on compare series. I think they have the same convection and infrared broiler with the exception of the PowR option on the platinum, not sure what that is. What you are really missing is the more powerful burners.

 

alaskanassasin

Ozzie_Isaac said:

NDG said:

just bc I am excited, here is latest design.  Ideas/critique welcome. 

Looks gorgeous!  Can you put storage in the bench beneath the window for the dinning table?

Looks awesome. Maybe not possible but more counter space is all I would add.

NDG

THANKS FOR LOOKING !!  We will soon return to normal BlueStar discussions, but I have to reply once more.

HA, @Canugghead yes bathroom gotta be there, small old house . . Dispite the CAD, the bathroom walls will reach the ceiling (whew) as I read once hot stench rises.

@TEXASBGE2018 super interesting about your kids & bench seating . . we acutally have a bench now that I can test with, slide current table over by window, then push bench flush against window wall to mimic.  I am sure they will be into it day 1, but I got a few weeks to test!

@Ozzie_Isaac we do have storage under bench shown here, once again not a massive area as you can see, so gotta maximize space/storage.  I like the dedicated Ice Maker idea . . it could replace or be supplemntal down by the wine fridge (last pic)

Langner91

1. Put a metric spit ton of outlets in that island.  I have a similar setup in my apartment and the builder only included one duplex outlet at one end.  When I am trying to Sous Vide, vacuum seal, and look at the recipe on my laptop that needs charged, I am hamstrung.

2.  Put a high volume fan in that powder room.  Not just for odor, but for noise.  No one wants to hear what goes on in there.  I usually tell my guests to run upstairs.

But, looks very nice!

Ozzie_Isaac

Langner91 said:

1. Put a metric spit ton of outlets in that island.  I have a similar setup in my apartment and the builder only included one duplex outlet at one end.  When I am trying to Sous Vide, vacuum seal, and look at the recipe on my laptop that needs charged, I am hamstrung.

2.  Put a high volume fan in that powder room.  Not just for odor, but for noise.  No one wants to hear what goes on in there.  I usually tell my guests to run upstairs.

But, looks very nice!

Good point on the outlets.  If possible run two circuits.  When I use two sous vides I try to use different circuits which is a pain and requires an extension cord because my kitchen 110v are all one circuit.

SonVolt

alaskanassasin said:

SonVolt said:

As for a hood system, I went with Vent-a-Hood "Magic Lung" and have been so far very impressed. They aren't cheap though.

I tried to change my hood out for the vent a hood with the appliance store but never heard back. 

 Is your convection fan loud? I know we discussed earlier but I never heard the results on yours.

It’s not loud in a noisy or something sounds  mechanically wrong way, but it’s not silent either.  For lack of a better description, it has an authoritative white noise sounding hum when the fan kicks on if that makes sense. 

saluki2007

I agree about the outlets. Also would add two soap dispensers. One dish one hand. Also you can have a push button for the garage disposal. Also would have the counter top people “shave” the top around faucet so water runs back to the sink. You will be surprised how often water will run away. Here is a picture of our sink in the house we built.