I recently researched DCS ranges only to stumble across horrible consumer complaints. Apparently the company is awful when it comes to replacement parts, recognizing warranties and repairs. Plus the stoves seem to be break frequently. For the price I'd rather have a Viking.

We have a 36" DCS that we bought new, on Craigslist... it wasn't pennies, but it was about half of what it was going for in stores. (Apparently the couple who owned it got divorced in the middle of their kitchen reno. Ugh.) I saw quite a few high-end ranges on CL (and e-bay)during the several months I was searching, from brand new Wolfs & DCSs (the victims of renos gone awry) to older Vikings (the victims of renos.) Craigs list is a surprisingly good source.

And jd-- we've found the DCS folks to be very helpful and accomodating with service and parts. Not that we've used them much, b/c our range works like a dream.

I use a Kenmore Elite and am really happy with it. I was a little hesitant (thought that perhaps sears=cheesy) but I've been cooking on it for 5 years with no problems.

Some info:
two high-ouput burners (16k and 14k)
cooktop grates
convection oven

And, they are under 1500. and come in white (I didn't want to do the stainless thing).

I have a new Kenmore Elite electric stove and am not happy with it at all, but I'm assuming the stove Janel is talking about is gas.

Yes, it is gas, thankfully!

We just bought this range from Karl's Appliances in NJ for $2850. Ask for Tony.

We bought this range about a hallf a year ago from PC RIchards and love it. The knobs aren't as bulky as the Wolf and Vikings, and the continuous grate design was the most agreeable out of all the designs I saw on other stoves. The grates go out very close to the edge and the line of the stove is kept nice and simple. It has a good presence.
As for the performance, we are really happy with it, if not a little overwhelmed at times by its power. We haven't quite figured out the 'feel' for it with our more inexpensive cookware but with our few pieces of quality cookware, it's been an awesome cooking experience. This is our first stove that we've shopped and bought for ourselves so we were pretty astonished at the quality of flame control compared to the standard rental apartment models. We feel like this is a stove that we'll definitely grow into and will be with us for a long time. I'm sure most of the high end models and mid range models are more than adequate but it's these personal details that made the difference. I just wanted to share with you guys that we are very happy with this stove.

I have had a DCS RGS-305ss for 2 years
I need to take the knobs off for repair,
but cant figure how to get them off??
I have taken the whole panels off, but
still cant see anything, and I need a
daigram of the range, but contacting DCS
is extremely difficult
any help is welcome and very appreciated!!
Lori/ TX

I own a 5 year old DCS304. I love to use it (because of excellsent heat control) but the quality of the burners is piss poor, due to use of dissimilar metals. The simmer burner venturis are failing from corrosion, and the cast iron burner caps rust where they rest on the aluminum recievers.
What were they thinking. They were not thinking and shame on me for not checking this area prior to purchase. If you want a stove that won't fail look for porcelain coated burners. My parents 40 year old Caloric is still running (with porcelain burners.) Never a burner failure, and Mom was cooking for 11 people daily for a few years.

Bought my home last year. Came with a DCS RG 304. Looks are nice but let me tell you when it comes to service from Fisher & Paykel I can't even rate them it's so poor. When I called them to report that the burners are "worped" and the stove is causing a "black" charded film on the bottom of my cookware, the serice tech replied, We hardley get those complaints. Hardly, most likely means they do but not enough for them to do something about it. He also suggested I buy a new set of cookware hmmmmmm. So they will be ruined as well. Just ordered new burners and tops from them. $340.00 and that doesn't include the installation of them. For a stove that cost over $3000.00 in 1998 you would think that something like this should be covered.Arragant service staff. I will never by another product of theirs again!!!

Bought my home last year. Came with a DCS RG 304. Looks are nice but let me tell you when it comes to service from Fisher & Paykel I can't even rate them it's so poor. When I called them to report that the burners are "worped" and the stove is causing a "black" charded film on the bottom of my cookware, the serice tech replied, We hardley get those complaints. Hardly, most likely means they do but not enough for them to do something about it. He also suggested I buy a new set of cookware hmmmmmm, oh, so they will be ruined as well. Just ordered new burners and tops from them. $340.00 and that doesn't include the installation of them. For a stove that cost over $3000.00 in 1998 you would think that something like this should be covered.Arragant service staff. I will never buy another product of theirs again!!!

I have the following DCS appliances and they are all awesome:

DCS single dishdrawer
DCS single wall oven
DCS warming drawer
DCS 30" gas cooktop (simmer ability is the best in the industry)
DCS convection microwave

Since Fisher and Paykel purchased DCS their customer service has been outstanding! Fisher and Paykel also just purchased Elba in Italy to expand their European presence. All awesome appliances and outstanding customer service with great repair people.

We bought our RGS-305 in 2003. Within about 1 year, the burners decided not to light if the oven had already been turned on. I e-mailed DCS about the problem and, to their credit, they said they knew about the problem and would send a repair kit to an authorized rep in our area. The rep came and fixed the problem. Unfortunately, the problem started again within about 4 months. For an oven that costs over $3000, I'm not impressed.

I've had the 30" DCS for about 7 or 8 years and I've never had a single problem. It is a fabulous thing. My brother in California has the 6 burner big version and he also has no problems. Frankly, I am amazed to hear the problem stories. Mine is about as close to perfect as a kitchen can be.

I have a DCS and if you think they have good customer service, you just haven't needed anything. I need the tiny little pilot light orfices and they won't sell me less than the whole pilot light assembly. The tech that repaired them last time told me that the orfices always go out, so DCS sells the whole kit for $65 each, my stove needs two. All the repair companies won't touch DCS now. None of the aftermarkets will touch DCS.

If you like DCS, I will sell you my stove cheap AS IS.

I purchased a DCS oven 10 months ago. Since that
purchase date I have had nothing but consistent problems with the control
panel and board. The panel has been replaced twice already,
this will be number 3. On three different occasions, the third being this
morning, the F7 error sign has appeared with consistent beeping. The panel
is now inoperable and I am without an oven again. I am extremely dismayed
and disappointed with the failure of this oven. Customer service has been
lacking and no adequate resolution has been offered. I am through with repair and
replacement of the control panel. There is something drastically wrong with
this oven and I am to say the least very disappointed and angry. Do not buy DCS period!

I purchased a 30" DCS 304 over 10 years ago.
The initial installation took several adjustments with the conversion to LP gas, but DCS and my local service people were great with working to get it working right.
DCS even replaced all of the grates because one of them was warped.
I have had no problems with it since, other than replacing the oven thermostat last year.
I have been very pleased with the stove over the years. I am researching one for my sister now, because she loves cooking on on my stove, and wants one for herself.
I am a little dismayed by reading some of the posts here. The price has gone up, but the quality has gone down? I hope it isn't true!
We'll post a report on the new range when it is delivered.

Have been using a 30" DCS for a year and a half now and have been relatively pleased. The biggest problem we have is that the burners are too large for small pots and the ring of flame does not heat the bottom of a round wok. Does anybody know of a way to replace one of the burners with a star burner? If I could just replace say...the middle burner with a star I could more evely heat small pots and round bottom woks. DCS? Are you listening? The Kids have gone on to their own lives and we cook for two mostly now.

We've had repeated problems with our broiler ignitor and have had it replaced twice in the course of the 5 year life our our home (new construction, new appliance) Now it seems the oven is acting up. Anyone else with a similare issue. Dealing with F&P customer service has so far been very frustrating...still working on getting satisfaction.

Our DCS has fairly good burner performance. Th burners are hotter than most ranges and the grates are good for sliding pots around on. The fire is uneven on most of the burners, though, and often the igniters fail to light. DCS customer service said the burners needed cleaning and proper alignment, but this didn't help. I could h ave a technic ian come look at it, at my own expense. That's all they had to offer - and that was DURING the one year warranty period. The customer service is consistently unhelpful.
The oven has never burned evenly. Cookies, cakes, etc must be turned partway through baking or will burn on one side and not be browned on the other. Can't use the lower two racks for baking - everything burns that close to the burner! OK for roasting but not baking.
After 4 years the oven ignitor went out. We called the technician, he found a screw in it, obviously left there since the range was assembled. We'd never opened up the burner compartment - the screw was blackened and melted and had shorted out both the ignitor and the gas valve. Now we're out over $700 to fix something DCS should have had quality control catch. They blame us, and say the one year warranty period is over anyway. Not the sort of performance or support you would expect from such an expensive range. Don't bother with DCS - they literally have a screw loose! Buy something with a longer warranty.