Try induction. Once you figure it out, it's pretty awesome.

If they can run a gas line now, that means you can also have run one later if you just can't learn to love induction.

I am not going to be terribly helpful, aside from to say induction is great- I have both and much prefer induction for the ease of cleaning up (wipe with spray cleaner of choice and done.) But Blue Star is pretty easy to clean as well thanks to those open burners and seasoned cast iron grates.

If you have any other places you would like to spend the money right now, just get the gas line and be prepared to get the range top later. I would definitely skip the gas cooktop- I don't think that is the full Blue Star experience.

You might be surprised at how much you like induction's lack of heat radiating out from the cooking surface, how low it simmers for sauces and chocolate and how well it cranks up the heat inside the cooking vessel.

PS Plus it is the more environmentally friendly choice apparently (I am not convinced of this argument, but the NYT was just making it today. It depends on what your power plant burns.)

Just personally, I love my induction.

I've used my brother's gas range (which was pretty modern) on multiple occasions, and induction heats up just as well. And when you turn the heat down to low, induction seems to be much more reliable at holding that temp.

Since I have propane heat, I could have gone gas. I simply chose not to do so, and am very happy. Much more efficient than standard electric cooking.

An induction cooktop is great. Less heat, 80% more efficient, very controllable, no gas fumes. What I did was forgo the range totally and get a Bluestar wall oven. No bending over, less space taken up when the doors are open, and I can still cook if one needs service.

Thanks, Jerry. Nice kitchen! The house I'm looking at has a JennAir wall oven/micro (or convection micro, I can' t tell yet) combo so I'm stuck with that, and probably wouldn't spend the money to change it out until it dies. Not my first preference but it's fine. Clearly I don't want to do any extensive cabinetry reworking at this time (other than maybe cutting to accomodate a bluestar rangetop or cooktop). Since the builder jumped at the idea I'm going to make the offer contingent on them going ahead and installing the gas line for future possible use - couldn't hurt - and leave it at that. Thanks, all.

I guess I can chime in. I have a 36" Blue Star range in my NYC apartment. The oven is good--the size especially--but the open gas burners are just unbelievably wonderful. I just love the range. I love that there are no electronics. There is nothing to break. After getting the BS, we bought a country home where no gas service is available. I wanted to replace the range and fridge immediately, if not sooner, so instead of having a propane tank installed, I stayed with electric and got a Bosch induction range. Honestly, I really like the induction. It is crazy fast, doesn't give off heat, and all the other things that people like about induction. I do miss the gas flame sometimes,, but we grill outside enough such that I can get my flame fix that way. But there are those electronics. We now have a propane line to service the pool and the outdoor kitchen. If my control board breaks, I will not buy another induction. I will run the propane line to the house and buy a Blue Star.

So there you have it. Experiences on both sides with BS and induction. You can't go wrong getting the gas line and preserving your optionality.

if you cook a lot, get gas... blue star vs builder grade Jennair induction no comparison...

have them drop the gas line and leave the space open

I do dustless top alterations regularly. Expect to pay $500.00 or so. Appliance on site or I'm not coming.

I just heard Joe offering to come to your house :-) Take him up on that offer. Judging by the photos that he has been posting, he is a God when it comes to reworking countertops and existing cabinets.

Unfortunately, this is a really big country though; so, you'll probably have to look for somebody local. I wish I had a local Joe...

Yes, I checked out his location. I’m in Northern Virginia so it would be quite a service call....

PS to Joe. I went with the cooktop and the cutout is a different size. The appliance company is providing the install and their charge for the stone cuts was - drum roll - $500. The builder jumped at the idea of installing the gas line because they had already done it. :-)