How often do ranges come up on Kijiji? Can you wait awhile? Because most 30" all gas ranges should be okay if they're not too pricey. Price was a big problem with the range you were looking at--they wanted basically full depreciated price for a questionable product.

The problem with Viking is that we've deduced that the new owners of the company didn't know just how bad a sack of apples they'd gotten into, and we don't have enough information about their turn around efforts to know if the ones being shipped today are significantly better. We also don't know what their customer service response to ranges built since they took over is.

So, just as with any good product there are a few bad ones/bad experiences, there are good ones with any not-recommended product . You see the occasional very unhappy posts from buyers/owners of Gaggenau and SubZero, which are usually on top. And you see the occasional post from people who have had all Viking of different eras through the years and always happy results.

There's a certain price at which a gamble on the Viking might be worthwhile. But do search the forum and read back about what all the troubles were before you make your decision about how much money you should bet with.

Personally, I'd be happier with a basic range from a big box store with locally available servicing and a solid warranty. It might be a lesser creature than a BlueStar, but it should at least be a lot closer to a sure thing. If you wait, however, you might find a great deal on a used Wolf or Jade or some other high end range with a more stable past.

Thanks for the info. Doesn't sound like any Viking would be a good choice. Btw- kijiji is full of gas ranges - just not many "good" ones

I was able to talk a small local appliance store that can get Bluestar in to sell me one for $3999. A few more dollars than Costco but under my $4000 budget and it has one 18k burner that I'm going to try to up to 22k. Not sure if I really need the extra BTU but can't be a bad thing.

Thanks for all the help.

FYI I just ordered a couple of orifices a #46 and incase this is too big a #45 from s restaurant supply store. Cost me 4 times the purchase price to have them shipped to Alberta - just a comment on the cheap cost of oriffices and the high cost of shipping. No they aren't Bluestar, ones a Garland and the other an American Range. From the pics I could see they are the same as the ones Bluestar uses. I even orders 2 of each incase I can talk the salesman into giving me an extra 18K burner head. Will find out when he's back from lunch. Almost an RNB at a bit more than an RCS price - makes this cheap Canadian very happy.

If all works out I'll let you know. The denial of BTU truely doesn't seem to be the nicest marketing move for Bluestar.

Well, to be fair, some people want them for the look, but don't actually want all the firepower. :)

Congratulations on finding the range you want locally! Do they service what they sell? That would be great too, though it sounds like you know your way around the basics. I do remember reading that a lot of these parts were standard and all came from the same sources. Have fun making your modifications. And be careful!

Thanks. I'll try to not burn down the house. The salesperson wouldn't throw in another 18K burner but said I will be able to order the part once I have the serial number. Orifices are cheap but Bluestar burners are not - at least none that I've found so far. Any ideas?