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Remove above range microwave & replace with hood.

9 years ago

I know we've all seen these in some kitchens....
A microwave attached to the bottom of a high cabinet that is above the range/stove.

Anyhow... we just purchased a 30" Duel Fuel GE Cafe and would like a hood above the new range. This new hood will not be the kind that is vented to the outside. The cabinet that the microwave is attached to will not be removed.. it will stay.

I am looking for purchase advise. I have a gift certificate from Best Buy that expires at the end of Jan 2015 and would like to get some feed back as to which hoods they sell there are better brands and which to stay away from.

I would like the hood match the GE Cafe's brushed stainless steel look, but does not have to be a 100% match.

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Comments (6)

cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
9 years ago
If it won't be vented it is essentially a light with a small recirculating fan and a bit of a grease filter.
I'd choose the one that looked the best because it really won't be doing all that much.
practigal
9 years ago
I would make sure that the filter pads can be washed in the dishwasher.

I would also use a website like Home Depot or AJ Madison to search by CFM and other requirements. Once you determine what will work you can then take the model number back to the Best Buy site and see if they have it.

The CFM requirement is determined by taking the total BTU of the cooktop and dividing by 90 or 100 that's the range of the CFM you should be looking for.
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I had wanted a microwave above my new GE Cafe Gas Range but I am not quite 4'11" tall and I was not comfortable with any of the over the range microwaves at the home of friends so I knew I had to buy a stainless steel range hood and keep my old microwave on the counter catty corner. I kept going back between the GE recirculating one that looked cheap underneath but matched and the Broan that was not as good of a match. I happened to see a zephyr breeze ii series ak1200 at a store that was so much prettier than the pictures online so I went home to research it and knew I would be happy with the buttons underneath that I could reach, the clean modern lines in the front, the sleak look as well as the great lighting. It does a great job of getting out odors even in recirculation mode. In person with my GE Cafe Range, they look like a great match and it really is nice looking. The price before installation can be found for less than $300 and it is rated 400 CFM if you vent it to the outdoors.
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Nadine--I think those slide out hoods are going to require a lot of the space in the cabinet above so you're going to lose that space anyway. So you might want to consider a more conventional undercabinet hood, too. Depending on your situation, you may be able to vent directly out the back of hood into your existing vent and not lose any of the cabinet space. It won't be quite as accessible though as you realize. I'm assuming that your rectangular vent is 3.25 x 10" which is roughly equivalent to a six inch round duct. So you need to look at hoods with CFM's sized for that size of duct. Unless you know exactly how your vent is situated, you need to remove the microwave. A lot of hoods will be adaptable to horizontal rectangular, vertical rectangular vent and vertical round exhaust. I know that my Zephyr hood had all three options. Zephyr Typhoon I disagree that you will get 'tremendous' noise. Not going to be whisper quiet but will most likely be substantially less noisy than most micro hoods. Here is a link that might be useful: Slide out range hood
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bksinaz
Original Author
9 years ago
good points practigal.... I have the ge cafe duel fuel converted to propane. Just purchased the range.

Thinking about this hood. Do you know of the namebrand? NSP1 Series 30 in. Pro Style Range Hood in Stainless Steel. http://www.homedepot.com/p/NuTone-NSP1-Series-30-in-Pro-Style-Range-Hood-in-Stainless-Steel-NSP130SS/100545664

Will it work with my new range? http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SpecPage&Sku=C2S985SETSS
carnivore
9 years ago
If you're serious about cooking, one of the *best* things you can spend your money on is venting that range hood, especially considering what a competent range you just bought.

I put a 600 CFM Broan Elite E6030SS hood over our GE Cafe range, which looks fantastic and works great. There's a recirculating kit available for it too (if you must).
bksinaz
Original Author
9 years ago
@carnivore Very very nice hood you got.
I like the style of the hood you bought and is very simular to the style I am looking for..... however the hood you bought is way too far out of my price range. 500 tops is my limit.
robert_sett
9 years ago
There is a big difference in the performance of ductless (recirculating, ventless) and ducted, range hoods.

The biggest difference is that ductless hoods only remove the grease (metal filters) and smells (charcoal filters), but most of the other pollution goes right back into the room.

A hood that's ducted to the outside removes *everything* - grease, odors, excess heat, moisture - and on top of that, because it's actually sucking the air out of the kitchen, it pulls fresher air into the kitchen.

More info here if you're in a reading mood: http://www.futurofuturo.com/rangehood-FAQ-10-reasons-to-have-a-range-hood.php

Yes, installing a duct is a hassle and an expense, but in the long term, you'll be a LOT happier with the hood. Oh, and don't forget that charcoal filters cost money, and replacing them every few months will eventually cost as much as a duct installation. So if you're planning to live in the house for more than a few years - do it right from the start.

Here is a link that might be useful: Range Hood Benefits

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