If you’re serious about cooking, you know how important it is to have the right tools. BlueStar has been making powerful, American-made ranges since 1880, and their latest launch is making waves throughout the induction market.
The new 48” Platinum Induction Range offers the kind of customization options we expect to see from a premium appliance. With six cooking zones, a matte-finish cooktop, and a Power Level Indicator Light that mimics a gas flame, the brand's newest range is determined to elevate the way consumers look to induction cooking.
Designed for Serious Home Cooks
I've had an induction cooktop in my home since 2019, and know from my years spent shopping for my own home that not all induction ranges are built the same. From the color of the surface to the usability of the controls, every brand does it a little differently.
When shopping myself, I spent a lot of time trying to find a model that had useful cooking zones. When I learned more about the design of BlueStar's new 48” Platinum Induction Range, I knew they were looking to appeal to consumers like me. "Our innovations are focused on enhancing the overall cooking experience," shared Ann Muth, Vice President of Marketing at BlueStar. "That includes keeping how customers entertain and batch cook, as well as the size of current cookware in mind. The American market typically has larger pots and pans, so it was important for us that our customers be able to continue to use the things they are familiar and comfortable with."
While some manufacturers prioritize other features, BlueStar's 48-inch cooktop has six cooking zones, making it one of the largest cooking surfaces available. It includes:
- Two extra-large 11-inch zones, perfect for accommodating bigger pots and pans (compare this to my home's cooktop, which only has one large zone, a daily inconvenience)
- Four 9-inch zones, each capable of reaching 3,700 watts in boost mode
- Two bridges create ultra-powerful cooking zones. Great for griddles!
- A Power Optimization System that intelligently redistributes energy across zones for maximum efficiency
One of the most noticeable differences between this range and others on the market is its burner layout. When you expect to make the most of the usable cooking surface, design matters.
"Maximizing capacity is an integral part of BlueStar’s new product development, it led us to the expansive cooking surface, 11” zones and two bridges," added Muth. "We wanted to ensure the cooktop delivered an optimal layout and generous zones, to maximize the space without losing functionality. The zones are not only large, but easily accessible – placing them in the center, for ease of use with large sauté pans and oversized stock pots. The left and right-side zones bridge for griddles or even roasting pans to be placed from front to back – again, to maximize capacity and cooking versatility."
She added, "After many iterations, we landed on the layout and zones you see today. Along with offering the largest cooking surface, we also wanted to help a gas-focused American market translate the experience of gas cooking into induction. So, we created a patent-pending Power Level Indicator Light. This dynamic red power bar grows with the intensity of the heat – small bar = low heat, large bar = high heat - giving users the visual cue they are accustomed to on each zone – all controlled by familiar knobs."
Features That Improve the Cooking Experience
Induction cooking is known for speed and temperature precision, and I wouldn't go back to using gas burners, but I love seeing how new products continue to make the category better and better.
BlueStar's matte-finish cooktop is a cool detail. It's 80% less reflective than standard glass surfaces, making it easier on the eyes and reducing glare. The brand claims that it's resistant to scratches, stains, and fingerprints.
Another neat feature is the Power Level Indicator Light — a patent-pending system that replicates the visual feedback of a gas flame. Every induction seems to have its own way of telling the user how high the heat is, and BlueStar's red light bar seems more intuitive than traditional induction ranges that lack a clear visual cue.
Aside from the induction cooktop, this range also competes by including two True Convection ovens (and one is large enough to fit a commercial 18” x 26” baking sheet). The separate ovens are controlled by a 7-inch color touchscreen with eight cooking modes.
Customization Like No Other
If aesthetics matter as much to you as performance, you'll appreciate the brand's personalization. Like its other kitchen products, BlueStar's 48” Platinum Induction Range is available in over 1,000 colors. It can also be customized further with ten metal trim finishes.
This focus on customization extends beyond looks. The brand touts that every element is built for functionality. From the precise control knobs to the heavy-duty construction, it's easy to tell that this range is made for people who love to cook and want a workhorse in the kitchen.
Can I use any cookware on this range?
Like all induction ranges, you'll need magnetic cookware. Stainless steel, cast iron, and certain types of enameled cookware will work, but aluminum and copper won’t work. And don't be fooled by cookware with a magnetic base that lacks magnetic walls; you really want the entire basin to be magnetic to conduct heat to all cooking surfaces. That's part of what makes induction an efficient cooking surface.
