I guess another question would be; which of these are the same hood with different names on them? I just figured out Frigidaire and Electrolux brands are the same hood.

Get a Futuro, they are awesome!

I believe that you may have at least one less product to consider. The Spagna Vetro at $469 seems to be out of stock at Euro-Chef and the other link provided did not work. However you may be getting it from another source.

I also suspect that even if it were available it might not suit your needs. The CFM is a serious 900. It seems far more than you need. As for your important criteria, Noise Level, I am not sure how to read these numbers, "(dB / sone) Approximately 23 / 0.3 to 68 / 7.0 (Lowest to highest Speed)", but I can't believe that a 900 CFM exhaust fan would be quiet.

Well I ruled out the lower priced ones due to concerns of quality. I like that GE Monogram but do not like the >2k price tag.

My list is now down to these 7 brands:
Frigidaire - RH36WC60 - $814.80 (same as electrolux)
http://www.elegantappliance.com/p-3567-frigidaire-rh36wc60.aspx

Brisas by Zephyr BMI-E36AG $999.00
http://www.ventingdirect.com/index.cfm/page/product:display/productid/bmi-e36ag/manufacturer/brisas%20by%20zephyr/finish/stainless%20steel&source=thf_915452

Faber Designer Collection 630003948 $1249.00
http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/630003948.html

Zephyr Milano G $1309.00
http://www.zephyronline.com/v2/products.php?col=europa&prod=4&prodname=Milano-G#

Lux Air LA-90-CVD-GL-BLA 36" Curved Glass $1377.50
http://www.ventingdirect.com/index.cfm/page/product:display/productid/la-90-cvd-gl-bla/manufacturer/lux%20air/finish/black&source=thf_562325

Futuro 36 Moon Crystal $1395.00
http://www.futurofuturo.com/wall_mounted_36_Moon_Crystal_57.html

Franke FGC367WX $1429.00
http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/FGC367WX.html

From what I've seen the Brisas by Zephyr and the Zephyr Milano look a lot alike but the Brisas is not listed on the Zephyr website.
Thanks,
Wade

Wade, I'm still in planning stage -- but you may want to add the Kobe back to your list. I've seen it in a showroom and was impressed with the quiet.

I can't speak to it's functionality but I know a few people here have the Kobe and seem quite pleased. In fact, someone here (sorry I can't remember who) is somewhat of an expert on various appliances and speaks highly of the Kobe.

You might want to do a quick search here on Kobe and read the posts. Plus, I think it would be toward the bottom of the price range you've listed.

Thanks toomuchstuph, I had been going through the list trying to narrow my choices. Kobe left the list strictly because I liked the looks of some of the others, I would prefer the control panel to be SS not black.

I just went back and started seriously comparing 7 hoods. There was 20 on my list initially and was a bit overwhelming. I also searched the internet for other reviews and found Kobe to have excellent reviews. So for the price I can't justify paying about $450 more for a Zephyr. It looks like it is settled then. Kobe it is:

Here is a link that might be useful: hood choice

I'm also interested in the Kobe. I spoke to the manufacturer regarding warranty and I read the manual. It seems like they stand by their products quality.

Can't decide between Ventingdirect.com $828 or thenaturalhome.com $920

If I order locally it will cost more than online (delivery and taxes)

Wade, the choices in everything can be overwhelming can't they? I think that is why this process has taken me sooooo long!

gt, try some searches here on Ventingdirect. I was looking thru a few old threads last night just to confirm my recollections of Kobe and a lot of the complaints seemed to be about the delivery time from the vendor which I *think* was Ventingdirect.

I'm lucky enough to have a local vendor that sells them and will try to purchase as much locally as I can.

wade and gt - looks like irawoods.com is having a sale on the Kobe's. It shows the $920 as the price but indicates the sale price will be shown when you add the item to your cart. Discounts look pretty good on the models I looked at.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kobe Hoods at irawoods

Thanks for the tip. I saw it cheaper on another site but stated the glass was sold separately which added another $150. So far that is the lowest price I've seen yet and it states free shipping.

I'll take a look at a few other places and post here if I find any better deals, anyone know about reputation of online sellers?

I've been trying to figure out the lighting layout today, Tuesday morning we change the ceiling from textured to smooth and will need to do all electrical and lighting work at the same time. I posted a message here:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0711055225813.html
about the lighting layout, what do you think?
wade

Wade, I wish I could help with lighting! That has been an area we've pretty much ignored. We've got a bizarre ceiling so the types of lighting we can use and where it can be placed is very limited.

I did notice your intention to put in solatubes. We put skylights in our kitchen years ago and the natural light has made ALL the difference in the world! I'm sure you're going to love the addition of the natural overhead lighting.

Thanks for the IRAWOODS link toomuchstuph! Anybody ordered from them before? I found many complaints about this company.

gt78, I got my appliances from Plessers. I think there is a contributor here. His name is Alan. I spoke to him and others directly and it has been the best experience dealing with them. Call them up, I can pretty much guaranteed that they will beat the prices posted and back it up with great service. Their website doesn't show much but definitly call them. I am very happy with my kobe

Thanks for the tip. I've seen some sites saying 7-10 business days for delivery and 1 site said 3-4 weeks! I will give Plessers a call, do you have their website or other contact info?
Thanks,
Wade

I didn't call them yet. I went to their website and requested a quote. I'll call them tomorrow. Thanks gilgom! Irawoods emailed me a quote $808 free ship but I'm still hesitating because they will charge the card first and delivery will take at least 2 weeks 'USUALLY'
Keep in mind that it is curbside so I will have to carry it up the stairs myself. I went to a few local stores and as soon as I brought up that price they were shocked. Perhaps some distributors buy in bulk and get it for very low?

Here is a link that might be useful: Plessers

I dont know what to recommend for you, but for sure I wouldnÂt recommend any Chinese brands such as: Zephyr, Lux Air, or Kobe. Chinese quality speaks for itself.
Miele, in my opinion is a good brand but it's too expensive.

Hi stanleygertz, I thought Kobe was Japanese? They have a great reputation and a good deal for the money overall.

I've searched on this forum and found a lot of positive responses for Kobe, the only problems appear to be with the retail vendor.

Wade

"Japanese style" or "Japanese design" doesn't mean that it's made in Japan.

I read this when I was looking to purchase the Kobe: "Kobe Range Hoods are designed and manufactured by Tosho & Company, Ltd., their Japanese parent company." (misleading statement, states only "Japanese parent company" leading one to assume that it is made in Japan. They need to go on to state "with manufacturing facilities in China).

A lot of info here about Kobe: http://www.thenaturalhome.com/stainlesssteel.htm An interesting read about the quality of these hods, but then again they are selling them and are somewhat biased.

I try whenever possible to buy locally and support sustainable manufacturing practices. China does not have a very good record when it comes to the environment. The quality is variable but some companies who locate their facilities in China maintain excellent quality control. So you can get excellent quality with Chinese made but at what cost?

I ordered the Kobe hood from the website listed above. I called first and had the best customer service so far compared to other companies I contacted. It was ordered via the internet late Monday night, order processed on Tuesday and the hood arrived on Thursday afternoon. All the paperwork was English with some Japanese writing on it. Looked everywhere to find where it was made to make sure and could not find it stated anywhere. Finally on the outside of the box I saw "Made in China". I was a little disappointed but no surprise really.

Does anyone have a list of countries of origin for appliances? I went and looked at a few different websites and none of them stated where their product is manufactured. I think that as individuals we can vote for changes by how we spend our money.

Another point might be individual parts. While an appliance might be "manufactured" in one country, they still might get individual parts from Chinese manufacturers. Not sure if this is true but someone told me that most refrigerators have compressors which are made in China.

My next search is for buying a Bosch dishwasher and a Sharp OTC MW.

Thanks for all the input on the hood decision!
Wade

Congratulations on the hood wade! thanks too for the review of the vendor. Info like this can save many of us from costly delays.

As I mentioned before, my only experience with the kobe was an installed model in the showroom. I'm looking forward to reading your review once it's been installed and in use.

Wade, thanks for your input! Glad it was a smooth transaction. Whew! How does it look in terms of quality? Just like the pic? Can't wait to hear about your reviews. naturalhome.com $920 but they only deliver to curbside correct?

I'm thinking of purchasing it locally $935 since they'll take it up the 2nd FL for me.

Hi gt78, It was delivered freight and the guy brought it up to the door on a pallet. It was in 2 boxes and not very heavy.

I opened the box and inspected prior to signing for it. It does look very nice and actually better than what I expected. I can't wait to get it installed.

I'd probably pay $15 extra to have it brought up to the second floor.

Wade

We are now evaluating hoods like you & are a little late for input, but will be interested to hear about the noise levels (the sones & decibels you wrote out are comparable with other hoods of similar pricing. I'll also be interested in what you think about the glass. The professional chef we spoke with today recommended we consider the stainless version of the hood you chose since he said he can "never keep the glass looking clean". It sounds like you received the good advise of having a hood 3 inches on each side wider than your cooktop. Good luck!

Has anyone any experience with the quality of post-sale service offered by different hood/vent manufacturers? I have seen very little discussion of this issue.

Before I buy a big-ticket item I like to establish what the local service is. Normally I contact the manufacturer and get the name and number of the authorized service representative. Over several weeks I have tried to get this information about Independent

Independent Inc. 3663 Barron Way Reno, NV 89511 775-358-0263
Toll-Free: 800-7-NEVADA 1-800-763-8232, Fax Number: 775-358-0288
independent@kitchenhood.com

Sales manager:
Gary L. Schnepel
Sales Manager
cell 775.343.8123
fax 831.303.4349
gschnepel@kitchenhood.com
www.kitchenhood.com

Despite multiple phone conversations and email exchanges and despite their claims that they would provide the information, they have failed. Finally I made one last effort and they said they would no longer discuss the matter with me directly and instead I must deal with their so-called "local" sales representative who is located about 200 miles away. The sales representative then sent me this statement: "Independent will pay reasonable service claims to any qualified servicer for warranty work. However, in the off chance you will need work done; a quick call to the factory to let them know of the problem would be wise. You might have a minor problem that you could fix yourself, or they will be able to tell the technician what is needed."

This policy seems reasonable, but it would have saved a lot of bother, if they had shared it initially. There still remain the problems of who defines "qualified" and how to contact a factory when failed to respond to my simple inquiry.

Bottom lines: How finicky are hoods? How likely are there to be service problems? What is Independent's track record?