<p>I would like them quiet to be used in a smallish kitchen, a wall mount, or undercabinet type. For years, we got by with microwave/fan combo. In the new kitchen, I’d like to have a hood. I would appreciate your recommendations.</p>
<p>Vent-a-hood. I don’t know if they make a smaller one, but I love mine. Effective, easy to clean.</p>
<p>I totally agree with dmd77. It’s what the guy at the appliance store recommended and I’m very happy with it.</p>
<p>I have a Vent-a-Hood now, but pre-remodel had a Broan Sihouette which was nice because it mounted in a cabinet and had a visor that slid out when you needed it. Very nice for a small kitchen. Had it for 10 years with no problem.</p>
<p>We looked at vent-a-hood. They seem very well made. Overall design is bulky. I am afraid it will look big in a narrow kitchen. Broan Sihluette sound perfect. Does aven have to be as powerful as the range specs indicate? It says we need 450 CFM.</p>
<p>I’d pay attention to the specs. I wouldn’t skimp.</p>
<p>Too bad that Sihluette would be perfect but they don’t make it powerful.</p>
<p>I installed a Nutone Allure under-cabinet model.
Pro: I like the look and the functionality (two-stage lighting, two-stage venting). It is very quiet on the low setting.
Con: the recessed halogen lamps are hard to change (not much room for fingers to grip). If you use too much force, you can pop the lamp socket out of its frame.</p>
<p>We recently installed a Broan QP2 Evolution fan. I love it. It’s got 4 halogen lights with three lighting levels and 3 fan levels. The filters go right in the dishwasher.</p>
<p>Our kitchen doesn’t actually have a hood or vent in any way, and based on the amount of smoke alarm sirens, we really need one.</p>
<p>However, our stove is on an island. Obviously it needs to get vented somehow. What kind of profession would I call to do the installation?</p>
<p>The appliance store should be able to tell you.</p>
<p>BTW, in our old house we had a Dacor “down draft” vent – it rose from the counter when needed and then retreated into the island when done. I don’t recommend it. It was not powerful enough at all.</p>
<p>Thank you for suggestions. Very helpful, I am looking into NuTone, Broan. Our range requires 600 CFM, it turned out. I need a small powerful vent if there’s such a thing.</p>
<p>We went with Best by Broan, recommended by my kitchen designer. Very happy with it.</p>
<p>According to appliance people I have talked to, including those who sell a variety of professional gas ranges through the trade, Broan is the way to go. Ventahood is good, but according to them perhaps too pricey. My mother has a dual fuel gas range with a Broan hood over it, and it does a great job. A key thing to consider is where it will be placed. If the hood can be on an outside wall, or on a side wall with a straight–and relatively short–shot to the outside, it will make a huge difference. I would go for a MORE powerful fan than they suggest if you like to grill or cook in a wok or in general do things that create a lot of smoke and steam.</p>
<p>I admit that I am a little crazed on this subject, since I do a lot of heavy cooking of Asian food, stocks, etc and have been stuck with an underpowered fan and an awkward setup for a long time now. </p>
<p>eyemamom, an island hood needs to be more powerful than one set up against a wall. It has to be able to pull up and over. One thing you might want to consider is getting a hood with lights and screens installed over you cooktop, but the actual fan istelf is mounted on the outside of your house. This reduces noise and allows you to have a really powerful fan–but again, the distance is a factor that means it has to be more powerful to work well. It is an alternative I have considered strongly, if I can’t fully renovate my kitchen.</p>
<p>Looking into Broan. Their hoods look slimmer than Vent-a-hood. Thank you all for suggestions. Keep them coming.</p>