Among stainless steel, slide-in ranges:

• LG LSG4511ST
• Blomberg BGR30522SS

No middle burner, but I love my BlueStar range. You can remove the burners and cook directly on the flame if you like (great for using a wok) or flip the burners.

@wdccruise Thank you. I'm in Canada and I'm not able to find that model LG. Many LG gas ranges, but all models have the oval middle burner. Not familiar with Blomberg. Did a bit of searching and seeing mixed reviews.

@teaka123 I've been wrestling with the BlueStar - I have room for a 36" range, and while I don't need that size oven, the extra space on the cooktop is appealing. I do bake a lot - and I've read in other discussions on Houzz that the oven on the BlueStar can take a very long time to preheat. Overall, what's been your experience?

• KitchenAid 30" 5.8 Cu. Ft. True Convection 5-Burner Slide-In Gas Range (KSGG700ESS)
• Café 30" 5.6 Cu. Ft. True Convection 6-Burner Slide-In Gas Range (CCGS700P2MS1)

@wdccruise - I've eliminated the KitchenAid on a 30" range because the controls are on top which reduce the cooktop space.

Re Cafe - I asked about this up top: it has 6 burners and I was wondering if anyone has used this as it's hard to imagine 6 burners on a 30" range being used practically.

"I've eliminated the KitchenAid on a 30" range because the controls are on top..."
The controls on the linked model are on the front.

@winstir I have the GE Cafe 6-burner gas range and I love it. The burners are spaced much closer to the edge than on most ranges, which drastically increases the left-to-right cooking area. I frequently have 12" skillets going on the right and left front burners while using the center two as a griddle, which was totally impossible on my old GE Profile range with a central oval burner. The two round center burners on the Cafe are also much more useful than the oval one on on the Profile because they are more powerful and heat a griddle much more evenly. I saw in your original post that you don't have any intention of using a griddle but you may be surprised at how useful you find it if you get one that really works well, as the Cafe does. I do virtually all of my "grilled" meats (burgers, large flank steaks, boneless chicken breasts and thighs, kebabs, etc.) on the griddle.

I bought the Cafe thinking it would be a stopgap until I could remodel my whole kitchen and make room for a 36" cooktop, but after using it for a couple of years I am now planning to keep it even when I remodel. My kitchen isn't huge and the Cafe truly feels like cooking on a 36", plus I like the double oven configuration. I would never choose a 30" range with conventionally-spaced burners again.

@wdccruise yes, the knobs are on the front - but you'll see in this image the electronic controls sit on top, which decreases space on the cooktop

Winstir, I've had no issues with baking with my BlueStar. I did a great deal of reading prior to purchasing which you have probably done as well. I found searching under = BlueStar range forum - would bring up lots of different personal reviews. Wirecutter has a fairly recent review of high end ranges and while BlueStar wasn't one they reviewed (the ones they reviewed were out of my budget) if you skip to the end there are some comments from BlueStar owners re baking. BlueStar did have something where you could go test out the ranges prior to purchasing, but that was pre Covid and not always a convenient location. They range is easy to clean and always looks nice. I enjoy cooking and entertain often and the 30" has worked well for me all around. I really LOVE the bright blue color with my walnut cabinets.

@teaka123 many thanks for sharing your experience. Yes, I have read many of the other discussions here about the BlueStar. Maybe that'll be the direction I go:)

I just ordered the GE cafe` 30" six burner slide in. The burners have different BTU levels so it is useful to have the choice of burners.

There is a low simmer burner in the back for all day sauce and a high BTU for a wok. I don't see where I would ever have 6 pots on the stove at once but having the different BTU options is very practical. I believe it runs from 21,000 to 5,000 BTUs

@Sherry Brighton doh - that makes perfect sense. Would love to know how you like it when you get a chance to work with it.

If it ever comes in I will let you know!

@winstir

goof move eliminating that kitchen aid, I hate mine so much, I am getting rid of it. The burner control is awful

@Sherry Brighton I'm sure you will love it. I adore mine. The 22K power burner is fantastic. I use it and the other 18K front burner the most frequently, but even the simmer burner comes in handy when you need it.

@Sherry Brighton you're talking about the Cafe 30"?

Yes, the 30" gas slide in. Wanted the 36" but just wasn't doable in my little kitchen :(