+1 following, in a similar boat here. gonna go with 36" Blue Star or Wolf Rangetop, looking for a 42" range hood with at least 900/1000 CFM. Low noise nice to have. Seems like Vent-a-Hood does not have a great reputation around here, they do seem expensive and not sure if their centrifugal technology actually sucks grease better than a traditional stainless steel baffle.

Looked at some people suggesting Modern-Aire, but aren't those hoods going for like $5k+? If they are under 3k i would be willing to go for one, if anyone have any idea on the pricing of MA.

Why an insert and not just a nice stainless hood

Just personal preference from an aesthetic point of view.

You should be aware that for a given blower size, fan blade tip turbulence will always be noisy and likely dominant at full CFM, with baffle hiss secondary. The blade tip turbulence noise can only be quieted by (a) an in-line silencer between blower and hood (not practical in a short length of ducting) or (b) a larger blower operating at partial power (won't fit in hood so it has to be outside). You will need to plan this carefully so all interfaces (duct and electrical) are fully functional.

Wolf answers their phone and may be able to suggest practical combinations of stuff they supply. Modernaire may also be able to address the issue with some combination of stuff. Hood and blower from separate sources will require some understanding of how you will control the blower from the hood with its control, or whether you will go for a wall control suitable for the blower.

Note: 2 ft x 3.5 ft is 7 sq. ft. of hood aperture requiring 630 CFM for hot cooking. A blower for this should be in the 900 -- 1000 CFM category to achieve this consistent with your plan. If you used a 1200 down-roof (also down wall), such as Wolf, Broan, or Abbaka make, and dial it down to your cooking level, it might be adequately quiet. Noise increases as some power of CFM so a modest reduction from full power may be enough.

Can an in-line silencer be added to any insert? The appliance places that I have been to really promote Vent-a-Hood but their blowers are interior and really get mixed reviews. So I am not sold on them. Although it is on major back order, after doing some reading here, I have asked about the Zephyr Monsoon 2. I am in Canada and the price difference between a 40" VAH and the 42" Zephyr is about $800. With the VAH being cheaper.

Would love to know of other options to be looking at.

When I say that it is short ducting, I do have 9' ceilings so it is whatever that gives us.

Here was my list of things to look for when I went out looking:

• built in/insert
• 900/1000 CFM’s
• 42” needed - 6” wider than the range
• stainless steel baffles
• variable speeds (minimum of three)
• 6 or fewer sones on high
• remote inline or external blower

I understand that it will need:

• to be hung 32 - 34” above the stove
• 8” - 10” duct size

I truly thought this was a quick purchase and didn't realize it was as involved as it has turned out to be!!

The LD8 and LD10 silencers from Fantech are about 2 - 3 ft long, so they can go into a duct that is longer that than in some straight section, given that they are also larger in diameter than the associated duct and require adequate space. https://shop.fantech.net/en-US/silencers/c46865 I would think that if we analyzed your insert for adequate flow rate, you could use an 8-inch duct.

Wolf/Broan hood blowers have, or can have, induction motors that are continuously variable via a rotary knob control. Some other manufacturers use multiple wound motors that use multi position switches for speed control.

I ended up with a Falmec Massimo Pro. It has been good - no issues.