I'd reassure you regarding your choices. I have been so totally happy with my MA experience and I'd hope you have the same. Several comments: Yes, MA just resells blowers. I chose a Fantech inline blower over the Hy Ex which was their initial recommendation, mainly because my contractor and HVAC guy were not enthused about going out on our steep roof for the install. I suggested an Fantech instead and they were completely happy with that decision. When I made the decision, Jeff Herman, my MA contact, said that they could sell it to me, but likely I could save a few hundred $$ on price and shipping by finding the blower online. After looking around I was getting totally stressed out by having to figure out if the websites were legit, if I was ordering the right backflow damper, duct adapter, rheostat etc etc. I finally contacted Jeff and said hey, I know it will cost more, but can you just send me whatever it is that I need and just take this off my list of worries. The small markup was totally worth it for the peace of mind of knowing that someone who knew what they were doing was doing to make the order. Jeff was totally willing for me to buy it on my own, so adding to their profit was clearly not the motivation. Regarding the decision of internal vs external blower: I think the logic is somewhat different given your short duct run. Normally I'm a huge fan of remote blowers. However, a big reason that this has worked so well for me was the ability to use the Fantech LD10 silencer along with our FKD 10XL blower. The silencer does a great job of eliminating any motor noise tracking down the ductwork. Without it, I suspect a significant part of the advantage of a remote blower might be lost, expecially if the blower was only 9 feet from the hood. Absent the silencer, the advantage of the external blower without a silencer may not justify the cost. I totally found that MA was focused on the best product for me, not squeezing a few hundred dollars more out of me. I'd tend to trust their advice, although if it were me, I'd ask for Jeff Herman's opinion, who I think is the gospel when it comes to ventilation. If Jeff says go wtih the internal blower, I'd do it. But, no matter what, I think you'll love the MA hood. It's neck and neck with the Lacanche range as the favorite part of my new kitchen. I cannot imagine a better ventilation choice based on my experience.

Thanks guys! Lascatx...you're right, that's what I meant...I see so many sinks and dishwashers in islands but you can't have a vent going up out of your ceiling that way...it has to vent down and out...I have seen several designs for island sink vents that fix that problem...just hoped someone had it done and knows where their vent empties out to... My cooktop is not in my island and I have a separate vent for that so I'm good to go there... We have a septic and my parents as well have one..we both have disposals and have never been told differently...but funny you mention it, my neighbors were told (very rural area) that you simply CAN'T have a disposal with septic..I think it really boils down to it's never been done so there must be a reason why...but nowadays I don't know any new homes that don't have a disposal and are on septic.... I'll check into Insinkerator's options for septic! Thanks! Tara

For your situation it makes sense to me. Down the line if you change your mind, you can always install the click clack kind that you close and open with a push of your finger. Those lever operated ones rarely made a tight seal for me except when they were first installed, and the lever is one more moving part to clean on the faucet. -Babka

Isn't it fun finding a great deal?! We have been working on our house for a really long time, so I have been buying as we go. I bought our vent-a-hood (showroom model) at a liquidation auction for $46, and the next day found our range on craigslist. We also found our SS apron front sink, brand new, on CL for about a fourth of retail price! Last week, I stopped at a garage sale, and found french doors for our future office for $40, again brand new, AND they match the stain on our other doors almost spot on! Unfortunately, we went looking at slabs today, hoping to find something cheaper than soapstone, and I found the perfect granite. Of course it is even MORE expensive, but it is SO cool! Your baker's table is so neat-I can't wait to see pics of your kitchen as it comes together.