We’re looking for a 36” gas range and have settled on two main options:
bluestar 36” RNB with griddle
GE Monogram 36” with griddle

The price difference is about $1280 (Bluestar is more), and with the GE they will also throw in a microwave, so that saves another $1k roughly.

The main reason I’m leaning towards Bluestar is the higher BTUs - I like to cook Chinese food and would like a powerful burner to be able to do good stir fries, but I’m not sure it’s worth the extra money. I haven’t seen that many reviews of the Monogram, what I have seen is sometimes hit and miss, but the appliance salesman seems to like this model a lot.

The Monogram has an oven timer and self cleaning option; but these are both minor features.

I had also previously looked at the Capital ranges but I’ve now read there are service issues and heard the same from several local appliance stores that used to carry them.

I plan to cover this with a 42” wall-mounted hood, 27” deep, pro-style in stainless; any recommendations on same would be welcome - for now I’m looking at either Ventahood or ModernAire.