36 in American Range decision

7 years ago

We are dead smack in the middle of a total gut, small expansion and kitchen remodel on half of our house. It's getting time to order the appliances and I have over researched and I am not sure what way to go. When we first started talking about this project over a year ago, we had figured about $3,000 for an oven, one of the lower end brands. Then started actively looking and learning and now are leaning hard towards an open burner range. At the appliance store I really liked the look and feel of the American Range. $5,499 is a lot more than we originally thought about spending, but we are homebodies & cook a lot, and we will be in this house at least another 10 if not 20 years.

Now googling American Range Reviews leads to quite a few not so happy customers, including AR not responding to issues that customers are having. Add to this that now their website is gone and I tried to message them on Facebook with no response (was wondering if colored knobs are available), I'm a little nervous about going in that direction. I am fully aware that people are going to complain on the internet, and actually am wary of something that doesn't have any complaints. Also, some of the reviews go back years.

Can anyone weigh in on this? Have an AR range and totally happy with the decision? Regret spending the money every day?

The tip below says to add photos to get better answers, so here is what the kitchen looked like when we bought the house in 2015, and what it looks like today.

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CYNTHIA JONES

7 years ago

I have a 30" American Range, We've had it for I think two or three years now? I love it. I like the lack of electronics- just knobs and switches (house came with a Jenn-Aire with a fancy pants circuit board that broke twice). We also decided on it because we wanted open burners and we liked the interior and burner set up better than Bluestar's.

The burners cook well at both low and high ends. It bakes evenly and fits a full sheet pan. Broiler could be a little bigger, but it's ceramic infrared and does get sufficiently hot. I haven't had any trouble with the unit getting too hot on the outside- which I think was a complaint with Bluestar.

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Comments (10)

Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
7 years ago
Look into Bluestar ranges. They are old fashioned, few electronics, open burner, solid machines. Lots of fans here, some detractors. I don't have one, so no personal experience.
Beth H. :
7 years ago
why, with poor reviews, a high price tag, no website and failed responses, would you even want to purchase this brand? I'm sure you can find something else, no? what about a cooktop and then do a wall oven?

as for budget, look into 0% financing for the first year or so, if possible.
Stephanie Bendel thanked Beth H. :
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Stephanie Bendel
Original Author
7 years ago
Funny enough BS is where I started leaning towards the open burners. The comparable model is about $1,500 more expensive then the AR ($6,995). We did find one Blue Star at a outlet type place. Brand new, full factory warranty. Unfortunately it was blue and I wasn't feeling it, even though it was $5,500. But I've emailed the guy to see what model it was, if it is the Platinum then I might learn to love the blue. This was not a showroom type place, it was dark, things are on pallet racks, wrapped in bubble wrap etc. The inventory they have that day is what they have.
wdccruise
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
In Consumer Reports testing, the 30" LG Signature LUTD4919SN (also at AC) performed best, better than all 30" and 36" so-called "pro-style" ranges.

A number of Bluestar ranges were recalled in September 2018.
Stephanie Bendel thanked wdccruise
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
7 years ago
Does KA make a 36" range? But then you lose the open burners.
Stephanie Bendel
Original Author
7 years ago
After too much research and more visits to appliance stores than I can count, we have decided to go with the American Range. It's on order now, and probably wont be installed until mid-May. I've made a calendar reminder to come back to this discussion to update with how it all went around mid-June.
Colleen T
7 years ago
I found an American Range website. Maybe it was down when the OP posted but its back : )
R M
7 years ago
Stephanie Bendel what do you think of the American Range?
Jerry Jorgenson
7 years ago
Because you're starting from new, why have a range at all? A wall oven and an induction cooktop require no bending, use far less energy and keeps the kitchen cooler. In addition, you can have the best of each rather than an all-in-one. Just something to think about.