What difference if the Prestige hood is "exactly" the same if it meets your needs.

The Prestige is an extra $300 because it uses 304 SS. BS says it usues 300 series without specifying which,probably 301 SS.

304 has more nickel,brighter in color,and a bit more resistant to rust.

The BS range,rangetop,and range probably use 301 SS. So the Bluestar hood is a better "match" color wise.

I asked my BS dealer and he said the range was a 304 horizontal brush. I needed to know because I am getting a SS backsplash made.

Thanks for the comments everyone.

To answer Weissman's question, since I can get the Prestige hood for only around $50 more than the BlueStar hood, I'd rather get the BS since it will match the range. Also, I've personally seen the BS hood, and would be sad to order the Prestige only to see that it wasn't exactly the same as what I was envisioning. I'm sure the Prestige is pretty darn close, but for $50 I'd rather just get the exact match.

However, I'm really set on an inline/remote blower, and the worst-case scenario would be to get the BS hood only to find it doesn't have the right fittings for an inline blower with a 10" duct.

Still looking for someone who has hooked up a remote/inline blower to the BS hood....

I asked my BS dealer and he said the range was a 304 horizontal brush.

If BS does use 304 SS why do they dance around the issue?

Why not just flat out say they use 304 SS? Officially,why do they say "300 series?"

Thank you everyone for the assistance. Trevor from Eurostoves informed me that the Bluestar ranges and hoods all use 304 stainless steel.

In the end I decided to go with the Prestige hood since it's nearly identical to the BS hood, it's cheaper, and officially supports more blower options (I went with an inline 1200CFM blower).

thanks again,
chris