Independent or Kobe Hood (local purchase or online)

14 years ago

Choices - Independent Incline 600 Cfms or Kobe CH0036SQB or CH0136SQB. I have to make a decision in the next couple of days. Both seem to get very good reviews and I believe either will work fine for me. The decision making is really about cost and ordering from a local dealer or online. I can order the Independent from a local dealer but they do not do a lot of business with Independent so I am not sure how much expertise they will bring. This option is also several hundred dollars more expensive. The Kobe is available only online but is less expensive. I have never ordered a large (expensive) appliance online so am concerned about what happens it there is a problem. The online sites I am looking at are Venting Direct and Natural Home. Has anyone ordered from them and if so how was the experience? If I buy Independent locally am I more likely to have a better install and maintenance experience? For some reason I have struggled with the hood decision more than any of the other appliances.

thanks!

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Comments (7)

deeageaux
14 years ago
I have purchased a washer and gas bbq grill both in the $700 range online recently.Glad I did too. I have experienced more frustration with Home Depot than online retailers. I stick to ones with good independent feedback and stores that accept paypal. Five years ago I was hesistant to buy something for $25 on Ebay.LOL. Times change.If there is a problem most stores will dump you onto the manufacturer.

That sounds like the kind of store you are dealing with at least in regards to the hood.

Kobe is the best Chinese manufacuterd hood. It is made with 430 SS not the better 300 series SS. In 18 guage(thinner) Many complain about complicated interface and install.

But once it is installed and you adjust to how many buttons need to be pressed it seems to work fine for most people without breaking.

Independent is usually 16 gauge(thicker) and made with 304 SS(more rust resistant). I am not sure where it is made but I doubt it is a third world country. Here or Canada?
For a few hundred bucks I would go with the better quality Independent.If your local retailer does not much experience or pull with Independent in case something goes wrong why not get the Independent online and save some cash? Or is the local guying matching the best online price?
texaskitchentoo
14 years ago
I just bought a Kobe CH27 hood from Venting Direct. They shipped the hood via UPS Frieght which I thought was a little overkill. But it was strapped to a pallet, I suspect to keep ip upright. I'm not sure what alloy of stainless steel it is made out of. It is pretty nice and well finshed. 18 guage is fairly thick, many sinks are not even this thick. How thick is thick enough? It weighs about 45 pounds. I haven't put it up yet because I'm still working on the back splash. I had to but a 3-prong plug and connect it to the wires that come with the hood. It would have been nice if they just installed a plug. If you are going to hard wire it I guess it is okay the way it is. I felt it was not packed well and one of the baffle filters was loose in the box when it arrive. One filter was bent and I called Kobe and they are sending new ones. The baffles are the cheapest part of the hood. The body is well made and no seams on the edges, they are welded and finished. I did get a chance to run it and it pushed a lot of air, but plan to use the circular vent not the 3.25 x 10 " opening. There is a piece of structure that blocks that opening. Overall I think it is a nice hood but I was disappointed with the packing and the baffle filters. I think once I get it installed it will be pretty nice. It seems very quiet.
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marytwit
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(I've also bought a hood from an Ebay seller who packed it herself. It arrived with two dents in the front. (We're not sure when those were made because the package had no dents on the outside.) So I'd be wary of individual sellers.
focylrac
14 years ago
I ordered a Kobe hood from VentingDirect which was delivered today. Can't speak to the operation or install yet, but it LOOKS nice, it appears to have been well packed and traveled perfectly fine. I shopped at both Venting Direct as well as Natural Home, and quite frankly I went w/ Venting Direct due to a 10% off coupon code they were offering at the time ( March), which saved me about $100. It was delivered UPS Freight and we checked it upon arrival in front of the driver. All seems well and I have been pleased w/ everything to this point.
mls99
14 years ago
I ordered a Kobe hood from Venting Direct 2 years ago, came strapped to a pallet too. Everything was in order. I'm very happy with it. It's extremely easy to clean (oil catchers) but was a tad noisier than I expected - but I had also lusted after a Futuro Futuro hood. Mine's a glass hood.
rbse
14 years ago
My Kobe was made in Japan, ordered from Natural Home, delivered very fast, excellent packing and great price. As soon as my counters are installed I will be posting pictures, it is beautiful.
texaskitchentoo
14 years ago
Actually Kobe is a Japanese company but the hoods are made in China.
I just got through installing the CH27 30" undercabinet hood tonight. It is very nice looking, but I'm a little disappointed in the venting capability. It might be because I had to reduce the 7" round to a 5" round and I'm venting probably 15" vertically up through the roof. There just seems to be too little "up" forcing of air and a lot of wasted air coming sideways off the fans. My options were limited in the space I had and this one fit nicely and looks great. I install the cooktop tomorrow night and I'll see how it works with a little steam.

Independent or Kobe Hood (local purchase or online)

Comments (7)

deeageaux

texaskitchentoo

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