I had a VaH and was not a fan. To answer your question about cleaning, I always had to wipe, scrub, and scrape. Even if it was only a month or so between cleanings. The paint they use on the box likes to hold on to the grease. In fact, the paint started to bubble in a few areas after the first couple of trips to the dishwasher and I had to pry the paint bubbles off in order for the blower wheel to not scrape. Yes, it left exposed metal but I had no choice. Getting the box back around the hamster wheels was a challenge as well. Lots of fiddling involved. Have baffles now and love them. Clean them often because it's so easy. With regard to noise, current hood is about three times more powerful and has about the same noise level. Maybe even a bit lower now. That said, there are many here that swear their VaH are whisper quiet so your mileage may differ. Good luck.

These faucets are nothing but crap. I ordered one for my kitchen sink figuring "how bad could it be?" My plumber warned me about how poorly made it was before installing it (he could tell by looking at it) but I had him put it in anyway and about 18 months later the thing not only leaks, but SPRAYS water across the room if you swivel it. I'm waiting for him to come back in install my new Rohl, it cost twice as much but should hopefully work the way it's supposed to. I would stay far far away from this brand. I could not find any info on it when I was looking for a new kitchen faucet. Sorry I don't have better news but at least you can learn from my mistake!

Robyn, you are a busy gal! My sinks are white. The countertop will be IKEA oak butcherblock until I learn to love it or can afford soapstone. To post pictures, upload digital images to a picture hosting site such as photobucket. It has links with each image to paste into the narrative or linked below the message. This FAQ has step-by-step instructions. Thanks for the pictures. Here is a link that might be useful: Posting Pictures

I used to make malts. Kept malt powder on hand for them. Funny story. I took care of an old man named Ken for 8 years. He could be very difficult and was set in his ways. He used to send me to get milkshakes for him. He always said, "No malts! Milkshakes! I hate malts." So I would get a malt for me and a milkshake for him. One time when I was ordering them, I forgot and said, "Two strawberry malts." Then I realized what I had said....but I let it go at that. When I gave it to him, he said, "That is the best milkshake I have ever had." From there on out, I just ordered malts for him.