I just put a deposit on a 30" AG Viking, based on input from a friend. I was scared off from all the negative about Viking on this site, but there seems to be a Bluestar bias here.

I had hoped for Bluestar in my area, but I can't find one, so service would be a pain.

I got my viking for about 35% off($2200 off msrp) , so it was kinda hard to pass up.

Now I really need to get going on my kitchen reno to get the stove delivered.

I think there are those that will slam Viking just because they heard a story from a friend about another friend that had a bad experience. As a past Viking cooktop owner, I can say I didn't like mine. That's not to say that you won't like your range. Ranges and cooktops are very different product lines and often have different designs.

As far as bias... I am a very happy Bluestar owner. Having cooked on Viking, Wolf (commercial and consumer), Garland (commercial), Vulcan (commercial), and other lesser known brands, I can say for a certainty that it's not the brand but the design that makes the difference. I like Bluestar because of their dedication to open burners in the home while all other consumer brands have moved towards sealed burners in their residential products. Even Wolf, although they tried to hang on for a while, have moved away from open burners, especially after the sub-zero acquisition.

So, there are certainly people here who are biased towards Bluestar but there are also those that argue against here. In my time here, I've seen a good number of people (some professional chefs and restaurant owners) who initially come and disparage anything non commercial or have a heavy bias toward Wolf but once they actually demo a Bluestar, have actually come back to say that they were wrong and Bluestar is close to commercial range with regard to cooking ability.

Ok.. I'm now going to get on my open burner soapbox. :) I've cooked on both sealed and open burners. IMHO, the sealed burner design is simply does not produce the even heat that open burners do with ease. I've only encountered one that I'd consider passable and that was an Italian cooktop I used when I was there last. It still didn't compare to an open burner and had relatively low power but it at least didn't spread the flame out so far that the heat was lost. The problem is that sealed burners uses higher pressure nozzles (than open burners) to achieve higher BTU ratings because it has to compensate for the lower air (i.e. oxygen) flow. This produces a very uneven heat distribution and, in the worst case, shoots the flame out in a very large diameter.

So, if Wolf, Viking, DSC, or whomever decided to produce fully open burners in ranges and cooktops, I'd certainly give them a look. I have no particular attachment to Bluestar other than the all important fact that they are the *only* brand that produces fully open ranges and cooktops for the home. For that fact alone, I think they win for being the best cooking machine available outside of commercial ranges.

I have nearly 10 year old 30 inch all gas Viking that has open burner configuration with gas oven and infrared boiler. Viking still makes open burner ranges. I am happy with it and keeping it for my kitchen remodel. It has not caused too many problems. The oven ignitor went out after many years, which can be an issue with any gas oven. I don't need the performance boost enough to spend $4000 more (plus the matching hood) to replace a perfectly good range with another gas range. However, if I did not have the Viking range which is a gorgeous cobalt blue color (which I love), I would be looking at induction and not gas. ($7000 for Viking right now. Not many attractive looking induction ranges out there...) When my Viking dies, which it will eventually, I will probably replace it with an induction range (probably Viking, so I can get the color and the look I want)... I am ready to move onto induction. Been there and done that with pro style gas.

However, I think Bluestar design is superior in that the burners are more powerful and star shaped. All the top pieces are cast iron, so less issues of "staining" and "burn residue". Viking uses enamel coated steel for the top of the range. On the Bluestar, the top grates come off for wok cooking, ie getting the wok closer to the flame. So if I had to pick today, I would pick a Bluestar in a color I love.

mis

I think you are experiencing what many do upon purchase of a high end/high price product.

Amcook has hit the nail on the head - Viking is a brand that gets easily bashed here, for the most part the bashing is not 1st hand.

After much research (reading & visits to appliance stores) I went to the Viking Distributor direct - Delia (see link below) They had many competitors ranges set up in their showroom so you could demo side by side. We have had our 36" AG open burner range for 4yrs now - I LOVE IT

Good luck to you

Here is a link that might be useful: Delia - Viking Distributor

For some first-hand, although not particularly up-to-date experience, I can relate that about ten years ago I bought one of the first Viking VGSC (all-gas with a self cleaning oven) models. It was a nightmare. I had continual problems with burner igniters. They'd get stuck on, snapping away for extended periods of time. They wouldn't come on at all, the burner would ignite, but the igniters on the other burners would continue snapping, etc.. Viking replace the igniter control module several times, replaced other pieces of the system, and it still never worked properly.

All of the lettering on the control panel around the knobs disappeared after several months. That wasn't such a big deal for me, as I knew which knob controlled what, but it would drive visitors crazy. They could never tell which burner was controlled by which knob. I know this was an ongoing problem with all Viking products (even cooktops) which they may have corrected by now.

The oven was terrible. The thermostat was replaced numerous times, but I never could get it to regulate properly. The oven heated unevenly, one side always hotter than the other. Turning on the oven was always an adventure. Sometimes it would ignite right away and heat up, other times there would be a long delay in igniting, then WOOMPF, an explosion that would almost blow the door open. I never knew what to expect. Viking tried to blame that on my gas supply, but the utility tested everything and proved that I had adequate pressure and supply in conformance with the specs for the range.

The self-cleaning feature was a joke. The entire range would get so hot that you couldn't get near it, and it produced the most noxious fumes, so that you had to open all the windows and have the exhaust hood going full-blast or risk asphyxiation....and even then, after suffering through several hours of noxious odors and heat, the oven wouldn't get completely clean.

The only thing that ever worked really well was the infra-red broiler. It was terrific. Extremely hot and powerful. I never had a broiler that I liked better.

Anyway, would I recommend a Viking product? In a word - NO. When I sold the house, I told the buyers the range was worthless and offered to have it removed. They decided to keep it, but I have to think they've probably junked it by now.

I have had my 30" dual fuel Viking for 10 years and I love it. I haven't had any problems at all with it and will take it with me when we move for the outdoor kitchen. I don't know what I am going to put in my real kitchen yet, but after 10 years of happiness Viking is still in the running.

In the area of looks, Viking is superior. Bluestar fit and finish is marginal.

I love my Viking range. I got it about a year ago because I loved my mother's range. I'm an avid cook and use my stovetop constantly. The power is incredible. I highly recommend Viking products. Neither my mother nor I have had any service issues. My mom's range is 8 years old.

Do you have an all gas or a dual fuel? I just ordered a Viking kitchen and am thinking of canceling the order....but I notice a lot of the posts are several years old and individuals have owned their ovens for several years.......

I bought a 48" all gas viking range with griddle about 3 years ago. At first we had some trouble with the burners not lighting properly, but the technician came out promptly and once they got the correct part for it everything was fine. I loved that range and used it a ton (I cook a lot). My house burned down and so I lost it. Now I am rebuilding and would not hesitate to get another viking, but this time it's not in my budget. But I just purchased an all burner 48" capital because there was an amazing deal at my local scratch and dent outlet. Good luck!

Please Do Not purchase a Viking range. I cannot emphasize this enough. We remodeled our kitchen, and purchased a brand new model. We have had it 5 months, and there have been 5 service calls on it. The blower stays on an hour and a half after the range has been turned off. You cannot have a conversation or watch TV while it is on because it is so loud.
The Viking Corporation does not stand behind its products. They will write nice emails and letters and pretend that they care, but they do not care and they definitely will not help you. I am very disgusted with the Viking Corporation. They told us this blower thing was Normal. I would love to see how long these people would keep this range in their own kitchens!!

Five years ago we purchased five major Viking appliances. 6 burrner stove with oven, second oven, refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher and microwave. We did so because they were american made and looked great. Little did I know how bad the factory support for defective maufacture would be. Started with the freezer and the ice maker that freezes up.(no solution but thaw the water tube out). Refrig crisper drawers cracking, (no solution but to replace again for the third time). Refrig temp module defective (replaced twice). Refrig door handle loose (improoerly installed by their "registered installer" (Bill for 123.00 to fix). Microwave LCD display not lighting up, solution...rplace. Cost 255.00 and it is bad again. Dishwasher will not drain. Works when the repairman comes under warranty but not everytime. No solution. Got mad and yanked the circuit control board out of the unit. Cold solder joint on timer circuit. I fixed...no bill.
Viking makes junk that you pay a inflated price for. You expect it to be steps above all other manufacture because it is AMERICAN MADE...bull crap. It is junk made by shoddy workers backed up by lousy customer service. DO NOT BUY IT. There are many better manufactures but unfortunately not in the USA.