on an item like that, I say buy the one you want. that said, if you can't vent outside, functionally I don't think it's worth the money.

What's below the hood? And why do you say you "can't" vent externally? Condo? If it's allowed, it's doable by someone creative. You just have to be smarter than the materials you're working with.

We also can't vent outside (condo), so we got an unassuming but fairly effective (for what it is) under-cabinet recirculating hood. Personally I don't see the point of spending a ton of money for a hood that doesn't do much! (I'd rather have extra cabinetry). Anyway, the Zephyr Genova is what we got - and as I said, for a recirculating hood, it does a fine job (at least it draws steam and smoke away from the cabinets).

If this is a big highlight of the kitchen, then I say wait and save till you can buy the hood you love. You aren't loosing functionality you are used to while you wait.

Hollysprings- we are in a townhouse. GC said it could be done but we do not have it in budget. We have finished basement underneath and 3 floors to attic. Our plan is to love new kitchen for about 7-10 years and sell. Not interested in that kind of investment. I will be the first to say.....I am not smarter than the materials when it comes to kitchen renovations! LOL But I'm learning!

I don't understand why you can't vent outside. I'm in a condo and our hood vents to the walkway. It's just a hole in a wall with a duct. Yes you would need permission from the condo association, but it should be possible. I cannot imagine spending that much $$ on a recirculating vent. I would skip the whole thing if I was not planning to vent to the outside, and spend the money on spring cleaning services. JMHO.

Maybe investigate installing a whole-home air filter instead? A good one would be about $1000 and would help with capturing air pollution from cooking.

This might be helpful to you...

http://blog.yaleappliance.com/bid/85035/A-Review-Of-Interior-Exterior-and-Recirculating-Ventilation-Prices-Ratings

Here is a link that might be useful: Ventilation

I can see where you are having some hesitancy regarding the Modern Aire hood if this is not your forever home--it is a big investment. That being said, once I saw the Modern Aire hood I knew it was the only one that would go over our 1930's Chambers Stove and scrimped and saved for it. My DH thought I was crazy but he didn't protest too much which means he thought it was perfect, too. He likes to tell folks it cost more than his first car :) While I originally liked it for its beauty, I love it for its functionality. Since you're going to be staying in your home for such a long time and if you can swing it, I say go for it. If it helps any, if you stay in your new kitchen for the next 7 years, that comes out to about $36 a month, or just a little over a $1 a day--small price to pay for something you both like.

It's not ideal but not the end of the world. I would look at Broan, Miele and Zephyr recirculating hoods.

How much would it cost to vent? I can't imagine spending $3000 on a hood that doesn't even vent. Unless you have a lot of obstacles I can't see that it would cost even $3000 to install venting.

If the kitchen is anywhere closer than 30' to an outside wall, a vent can be run through a chase to the outside. Maybe you need a different contractor.

I wouldn't be able to bring myself to spend that much for a hood that didn't vent to the outside in a house I wasn't planning to keep for the long haul.

Just adding to the chorus of people that say if it is economically impossible to vent outside, buy the less expensive hood. (I bought a Modern-Aire, for the record, but vent directly outside).

I found my ModernAire hood on eBay for $475. It was brand new, but the owner didn't like it in her kitchen. She took it out and put it on eBay for a quarter of the original price. Lucky for me, she was local.

If you have time and the stomach for it, you can find a lot of great stuff for less on eBay and Craig's list.

"Maybe you need a different contractor."

Yep.

Thanks for all the advice! Think we are going to go for the less expensive.
Just doesnt seem like a good investment. It's always possible to change it later??
Lucky me - i have a 2nd kitchen remodel planned for next year in a rental. I could always swap it out.

1929spanish- I L.O.V.E your hood and kitchen! I have periodocially checked eBay/craigslist..... To no avail.

As for a new GC- probably should have explained he's my super hard-working step-dad! He has done a roof,patio, deck, bathroom, windows gutters and many many more odds and ends for me.....at his cost. Best GC EVER!! Even if I can't have my hood ducted;)