houses14, my Imperial range hood is not an insert, rather an under cabinet ss hood. However, the materials used, and the quality of construction, the fan motors, are the same with minor variances to allow for space restrictions within the smaller size of my hood. Construction wise, it is all that I had hoped for, was easy to install, and has functioned beautifully. Packaging and shipping were excellent. The ss is marine grade. This means that the amount of chromium in the ss will prevent rust from forming in the interior of the hood over time. The electrician informed me that their fan motors and switches appeared to be top quality. The warranty for my hood is 7 years, which is almost unheard of in the industry. Their specifications and installation instructions are right on to allow for optimal operation. For example, my duct is 8" from hood to roof jack and had to have a certain rise in height from the hood before the first angle in the duct work. Baffles remove and reinstall easily for cleaning. It was a joy to call Imperial direct with technical questions at their manufacturing headquarters in California. Someone was always immediately available to answer my questions regarding their vent hoods or recommended installation. My installer was promptly referred to their engineer for technical assistance as I requested that the wiring that would automatically turn on my hood once a certain temperature below the hood was reached be disconnected as I did not want that feature. To me, having that level of service available when answers are needed means a great deal. I found that the folks at headquarters were always honest even if it wasn't the answer I wanted and that they knew their stuff. Their light and fan switches are continuously variable which is rare on vent hoods. This means that they both function like a rheostat with a continuous increase, or decrease, rather than clicking up or down discreet notches, such as level 1 to 4. Also, I liked having the option of installing the switches wherever I wanted remotely, rather than being mounted to the underside of the hood. The hood easily handles removal of odors, steam or grease beneath it's surface. I've found that if the hood is allowed to run for about 10 minutes prior to cooking that it can be operated at a lower level and do a good job. The hood on low is fairly quiet but is noisier than I had anticipated at higher levels with having dual fans and baffles. Also, highest cfm level is 1000 which is a factor. However, I used a different size led bulb than Imperial recommended. I now have a gap around the bulb that needs to be filled with a rubber gasket. Also, the temporary roof jack is too large, and the correct one is waiting to be installed so the jury is still out on the noise issue. Noise level was quite an issue for me, but even if it remains unchanged, I would still buy the same hood given how pleased I am with the overall operation and that I can easily live with the noise that I now have. I'll have to look up the name of the online vendor I used and will add that information tonight.

I have 13" deep cabinets. We installed wood behind the vent to pull it out about an inch, making sure that we mounted over studs and then mounted the vent to that. We had a metal shop cut a 2" strip the width of the vent and then bend it at 1" so that it covered the wood at the gap and then tucked up between the vent and wood to make sure there was no gap. The tile splash covers the back edge. You could do the same thing, but would need a wider trim strip. You could also do a custom hood.

@jclee77 @shead I found this product today that is intended for this purpose; have the same issue: https://www.build.com/windster-we30/s985450?uid=2432737 2" x 6" x 30" metal filler to help push forward range hood. (Product is Windster WE30 or WE36, for 30" or 36" wide ranges, in case the link dies). Seems to be available from numerous sites.

You’re not misunderstanding. Pretty much all Pro ranges will have that requirement. Wider hood. Cut down cabinet depth. No cabinets on range wall, chimney hood only. Do a consumer grade range. Use a better cabinet line with many more options. That is your best option if you want to do a kitchen to the level of a pro style range. And to skip Viking for any other pro style range. You're not designing something that has a level seesaw in quality here.