What don't you like about how Wolf/Subzero does business, Johnny?

This will not help with your decision; however, I have a 48 inch BlueStar and love it, love it, love it. I was on this forum often until we moved into our new home in March and have not been back in awhile. I also wanted a color (I went with red), and everyone is very complimentary on my range. It is a focal point in my kitchen.

I feel the Bluestar will last forever as it has no electronics. After a small mishap where I boiled milk over and clogged the element, DH was able to easily disassemble it so I could clean the element. He is a little bit mechanical but not a lot mechanical. The grates are easy to pop into the dishwasher and the burners heat very evenly--no cool spots in the skillet or pan. Oven works great as well and I cannot believe how much oven space I have.

I also liked the price of the Bluestar, which was less than the Viking by over a thousand. With so many complaints about Viking's customer service, I felt that to pay so much more and suffer through a possible lemon, was not worth it.

Do NOT let your KD convince you on which brand to purchase. You will be doing all the cooking and living with your range for a long time. Your KD will not be cooking on it 2-3 times a day.

Good luck with your decision and I think it is great you are going with a color. What color are you considering?

Teresa

hmmm.....where did my post go? I thought I sent it....oh well, I will post again and hope that both don't show up somehow.

Anyway. I totally agree with teresa. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Bluestar. I had a 30" Viking before my 48" Bluestar, and although I did like my Viking a lot, the Bluestar and it's 22k open star burner is in a league of its own. Also love the large oven capacity. Again, I agree with tersa, about even heating. No cold spots or hot spots. Even heating on the ENTIRE bottom of the cooking vessel. The Viking had hot spots around the perimeter of the vessel, as would any round burner design with a burner cap. Woking on a Bluestar? Awesome!!!

But if you are simply looking for a tally of reports for Viking or Wolf, chalk mine up as a positive Viking experience. But if you are willing to consider a BS, then I would say go for it.

The American 48 has bake broil and convection in both ovens and both ovens have more capacity than the wolf or viking you KD can't get invited to a cocktail party for american only for wolf and viking

When looking at ranges 4 years ago, I cooked on AG Wolf and Viking at their respective test kitchens in my market. I was mainly interested in the grills and chose the Wolf because of the hotter grill, what seemed (to me anyway) to be better fit and finish on the Wolf, and the Wolf's burners (unsealed and the dual rings). I have two friends with Vikings, both are excellent cooks and both like their Vikings.

Were I looking today I'd look at Wolf again, as well as probably Bluestar and the Capital with the 30K BTU wok burner. All three have their cheerleaders and their critics, so it probably boils down to which you are most comfortable with.

hi chipshot after i had started looking into wolf (because my wife liked the red knobs)and i liked the way it was built
my sister developed a problem with hers i got involved and didn't receive a call back for 18 days after calling & emailing often. it wasn't until i lost it on the poor receptionist that i got a call back and finally repaired close to a month later. so in total it took close to 2 months to get a problem which was a disconnected wire resolved. i wasn't even looking for a service call just an idea what to look for.
john

I sell BlueStar and own a BlueStar. There is NOT a better range built in the residential business today! Have you ever broiled a ribeye under a broiler? The BlueStar broiler is ABSOLUTELY incredible! And there is no mess!!! The burners......second to No One!!!! Open Burners are the way to go! Do not be fooled into Sealed Burners...Trust me...you will find out why. Lastly......if you choose a BlueStar....go buy a couple 18" x 26" Commercial baking sheets....they will make your baking a LOT faster!!!
Good Luck!!!

I have my 48" AG Wolf range for 4 years. I love it.
Great performance, great looks, and very solid construction.
Oh yes...and red knobs!

If your wife wants color, she could have an infinite palette (no pun intended) with Bluestar, or at least 190 colors. You're lucky to be nitpicking among great ranges! As for the KD, I'd listen to her for design rather than appliance info if you love to cook. Your wife will still be with you in that kitchen in 5 years, not the KD, so maybe listen to her!

I wasn't impressed with the Viking as a machine when I was shopping around -- and I did want more btus on top. The other ranges are great.

I went with Bluestar for more heat (top + broiler) and that open star burner. I've been cooking on it years almost 3 years now and I love, love, love it. As others have mentioned, cleanup is nothing to worry about -- though I did worry during renovation. I broil constantly yet have little to clean up before cranking the oven to 500 to roast the next day. The fact that the burners come apart both to receive a wok sunk in the fire and to ease in cleaning is a huge plus in my day to day kitchen life as I'm a messy cook.

My local dealer gave me a decent price on the BS so I actually saved money over the better marketed Wolf/Viking ranges while increasing the range of my range. YMMV

If you don't particularly need extra heat there's nothing wrong with choosing a color, look, or feel as you get down to the wire. You're the one cooking in that kitchen -- and footing the bill.

Good luck!

I bought a Viking 6 burner, double range with griddle and char grill (basically the biggest one they make) since I was in the restaurant business for 22 years and just had to have a BIG range. I have used it for almost 3 years with one problem (igniter went bad, easy fix/DIY) I love the range....however there seems to be a bunch of complaints about Viking on various sites on the internet. The only other complaint I have is the way the oven windows/doors are made such that the INSIDE surface of the glass can get dirty and the only way I see to clean it is to take the door apart!!
All things considered it's been good to me so far.

I've always heard wonderful things about Wolf's quick and excellent service. Mine wasn't a big problem, but I needed the grates replaced, because mine had the old rubber feet...They sent new grates and new underpans, because they weren't positive the new grates would fit the same. They did, so now I have 2 sets of the underpans...They didn't make me wait to see. The woman I talked to was gracious, polite, and very helpful, and the parts came very quickly.

golden_west what is wrong with sealed burners? i have cooked with both but i don't see what is wrong with the sealed burners? thanks.
john

johnnytugs1........every time you spill something, you have to clean it or look at it until you do. And most times it is so hot you have to wait until is cools down. And.......once it cools down, in most cases, it takes elbow grease to get it off. An open burner allows you to clean when you want, push whatever you like down onto the drip tray and not have to look at it every time you spill.

oh ok, i guess i'm just not as messy as i thought! thanks for the reply.
john

Love my 48" Wolf range. It has 6 burners and griddle. Can't attest to customer service since thankfully I have had no issues after 3 yrs (this month) of use. I did have two issues with my SZ fridge and their customer service was helpful and polite, maybe I just had an extraordinary employee on the phone. They gave me the names of two local companies to call and both times I had terrific service.

I couldn't be happier with my Wolf or my SZ.

My only regret is that I do not use my griddle as much as I thought I would.

Here is a link that might be useful:

rhome- What was the matter with the rubber feet on your grates?

red_lover that really looks nice! why don't you use the griddle much? i don't either but thats because my wife won't let me. : )
john

if you want the most bang, and i mean BANG!! for the buck you must choose the bluestar. many more color options, the new two year warranty, and burners second to none!

If you are really in to COOKING, BlueStar is the only way to go, and it is available in a wide range of colors as others have mentioned.

I've heard nothing but bad things in that last 6 mos. about Viking, and just hearing these horror stories makes me not want to consider one.

Good luck!

We have a 48" Wolf AG range with griddle. We originally bought the range one year ago. We have had the range replaced twice. Our third range has the same problems. From the feedback on this website, I get the sense that the newer(year or two) Wolf ranges have had many problems. I'm guessing it has something to do with the redesign of the oven doors. Wolf doesn't seem to have a clue what the problem is.

We purchased a Viking 36" 6 burners (open) AG 2.5yrs ago - After much research, and visits to appliance stores & to Vikings distributor - which was the biggest help - seeing Viking perform side by side w/the competition.
Love my range!

Lot's of Viking bashing - which for the most part I found was 2nd, 3rd, 4th hand type news

Good luck

Brand bashing will probably always be with us. If you like what you have, my advice is to ignore it.