Wow, there's an open ended question! You may find the fastest way to get started is to do some research on this forum for prior posts, as there is a HUGE body of knowledge here. My favorite place to start is: Please help with ventilation. This is a "vintage" post with some incredibly useful basics. In particular, see kaseki's post on July 31st, which reviews the basics. Then lots of highly opinionated views on everything involved in getting good ventilation. Easy Peasy Ventilation Recent post resurrecting the ongoing religious debate over Vent a Hood. Vent hoods and noise Discussion of noise levels with vent a hoods. If you review these you'll have an understanding of ventilation which already will far exceed what your average appliance salesman has. Then you can post specific questions and get inundated with advice here. PS: one thing confusing on your post: are you saying you have not decided whether to put your range against the wall or on a central island? If that's the case, from a ventilation standpoint it's a no-brainer: wall mount hood will far outperform island hood, all other things being equal.

My criteria for an outdoor grill is 100% SS components and good Customer Service. I have settled on either the DCS or Capital and will probably go with Capital because I have a Culinarian Range and am satisfied with their Customer Service. It has to be all SS because the installation is at beach front location. Many Grills LOOK like they are made of all SS, but are not. Lynx is one that is not. DCS does offer a lifetime guarantee on their unit which is pretty impressive and their CS is supposed to be top notch according to the brick and mortar retailer who also will price match any internet price. DCS offers a 36" and 48" that look great. Capital offers a 30", 40" 52". the 40" is just about perfect for my needs. DCS does not offer infrared burners, Capital does and will accommodate customization, ie all infrared burners(there are 3 burners in the 40" grill)

Ladybug: I'm not sure if this helps or not, but I'm in a very similar situation as you. I have done a lot of research on 48" ranges and am keen on having high BTU and a lot of interior space. After having a long conversation with Trevor (from Eurostoves), I actually went to the Capital factory and was very impressed. In fact, it's the only appliance I have decided on! So, if they can assure you that you can get easy service relatively close by, I'd go with the Culinarian. Hope that helps!

Thank you, thank you for all the wonderful feedback. I do want to stick with getting the grill and am going to do so. We probably will be cooking steaks outside most of the year (Jersey Shore), but in the dead of winter (especially like the last one) we would be cooking inside for 3 months or so. I want to grill vegetables, romaine, etc. inside. Two of you mention that you have the Wolf hood. Did you entertain the Best one? I have not priced the Wolf, but based on your comments will look into it. I had thought of Modernaire, Best and now Wolf. I do think I want to go a bit higher than the 1200cfm just because we have had such problems with setting off alarms. I will definitely try seeing how a 27" looks/feels - my hubby is 6'1" and because of his height we have had to scrap buying cute little converible :( so want to make sure he is okay with the height of the hoodt - he is the steak pro at our house! JScout - where do I look up more info regarding make up air. Would it only go on when the fan was on? Where should it be installed, how much, etc.... We keep finding and adding things in $$$$$! But, this is our dream house and we are so looking to doing it the way we want. Again, to all of you who took the time to write in - THANK YOU! Pls let me know any more thought on the air thing and if the brand of the hood makes a difference. Will certainly post once we are in. Ordering cabinets and they are beautiful. Now in the midst of all the appliances .