If you’ve shopped for a wall oven recently, you probably noticed that almost every oven was electric. Due to the even heat-up and easier installation of electric wall ovens, the gas counterparts are less popular.
However, you should still consider a gas oven for several reasons. Gas doesn’t provide even heat like electric but it does provide a moist environment which is better for roasting or broiling meat.
There is also a different flavor/aroma by cooking with gas. Two manufacturers still offering gas wall ovens are American Range and BlueStar. Viking and GE are other notable manufacturers but to be clear, we do not sell Viking or GE.
So, let’s look at American Range and BlueStar and how they operate as companies.
American Range
American Range is a company based out of California that started making commercial cooking appliances for the restaurant industry in the 70’s. Their popularity created a demand to also produce products for residential use.
American Range AROFG-30 - $4,099
Features:
- Dual Convection Fans
- Infrared Broil
- 30,000 BTU Bake Burner
- 18,000 BTU Broiler Burner
- Commercial-style French Doors
BlueStar
BlueStar has a deeper history that goes back to 1880 under Prizer-Painter Stove Works, Inc. which is based out of Reading, Pennsylvania. Like American Range, the BlueStar label really started in 2002 with the company entry into the residential market with commercial quality ranges.
Now let’s compare the gas wall ovens of these two companies. We’ll be comparing their 30-inch Single French Door Wall Ovens.
BlueStar BWO30AGS - $4,095
Features:
- Single Convection Fans
- Infrared Broil
- 25,000 BTU Burner
- 15,000 BTU Broiler Burner
- 3,000 BTU heat assist element for quick startups
- Commercial-style French Doors
- Fits commercial baking sheet
BlueStar vs. American Range Gas Wall Oven Comparison
BlueStar offers both French Door and the traditional pull-down door models from 24 inches to 36 inches wide. They only offer single wall ovens but has the ability to stack two units for a double oven application.
Their ovens have the ability to accommodate a full commercial baking pan. Similar to commercial models, you can have catering companies place their commercial sheets directly into the oven.
The interior is designed with coved corners to make cleaning easier and maximize consistent heat flow throughout the oven cavity.
American Range also has French Door and traditional pull-down models. You can order the single oven or double ovens in any combination. However, the only size available is 30-inches.
Their oven features dual convection fans which should provide better heat distribution, especially when cooking something big like a turkey or big roast.
Combine that with the more powerful broiling and baking elements and it seems the American Range will give you more cooking abilities.
Both ovens feature infrared broilers which, helps provide an even intense heat from the top. The French Door format is a favorite and seems to be the reason why most are looking at these two brands. It truly gives a restaurant style look to the kitchen.
The two handles on the BlueStars, compared to American Range’s one, seems to make more sense as you’d tend to close the doors with both hands. BlueStar is also available in 750 colors in case you want a different finish than stainless steel.
Conclusion
On paper, BlueStar vs American Range is a very close comparison of features. However, reliability can be a concern for American Range as well as technical support and parts availability. BlueStar would be a better choice in that regard.
Additional Resources
Need more info on wall ovens? Download The Yale Wall Oven Buying Guide with features, specs, and detailed profiles of the major brands. Well over 230,000 people have read a Yale Guide.
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