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Roots and Rafters Definitely the stainless. If you cook a lot, it will be SO much easier to clean than a built-in wood one. The paint/stain on the wood will eventually have baked-on yellow oil that's impossible to get off. Don't ask me how I know.

feeny We are extremely happy with our stainless hood. We've had absolutely no problems, and it looks great. But without a sense of what the rest of your kitchen looks like, I voted only on my personal preference.

ct design studio If you do a lot of cooking that involves oil, you will need to be really careful with the wood hood. Indeed beautiful but like Roots mentioned, the oil+heat can bake on over time. Be sure to choose an hood where the filter can go in the dishwasher-genius.

Deborah Butler, Brickwood Builders Make sure that the cfm is adequate for the range - actually we go on the high side when calculating cfm's for a kitchen. One of the biggest compaints we here is that it is hot around the range and the hood does not work well, particularly if the range is gas.

Reico Kitchen & Bath I don't think you can go wrong with stainless, especially if you do a lot of cooking....just my personal preference as well!

4anewhouse Definately pick the stainless one, but go for a higher cfm- 700-900 because then you don't have to run it at the high setting in order to achieve your goal of odor free cooking - so it will be much quieter than having to blast a small cfm (300-450) in order to move the same amount of air. Also- get the stainless steel baffles- yes they go right into the dishwasher- not the aluminum mesh ones that turn into a clogged mess. So worth it!

stacy1061 We just were in the same boat and picked the square wood one. Wish I had read these comments before I went for the "look". Haven't used it yet, as we don't move in until January, but it's too late now. Any advice on how to not ruin it would be greatly appreciated! I never deep fry anything, is normal cooking going to ultimately ruin my wood hood??? I'm so bummed! Can I put something on it to protect the finish?

Christopher James Interiors Blend it in with the cabinetry

lc29 I have a stainless and glass one, ugh, keeping the glass clean is a pain! The stainless part doesn't need to be cleaned near as often. If you do decide on wood, the square one is a more timeless look.

Dytecture I also voted for stainless steel as it is more of a timeless design.

Carolina Photo To Go LLC I would get a stainless with chimney. They add more drama. I love mine. It is easy to keep clean. Cavalier make some reasonably priced ones and there are more expensive ones.

ct design studio Stacy1061-I don't know of any products you can use over your finish, perhaps someone else does, however regularly wiping down your hood will really help. I know it sounds obvious but a lot of times homeowners only wipe up the spots they can see, when really the whole thing is covered in food/grease partilces from the air you can't see, until so much is built up and baked on.

Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design Go with the stainless - make yourself and hiubby happy!

olldbobbi It may not be practical but the pyramid hood is gorgeous!