The
New Appliance
Report from ApplianceAdvisor.com
BEST (division of Broan/Nutone
Group which is a division of Nortek)
800-445-6057
Italian maker of range hoods
2006 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
The momentum of 2005 continues in 2006 with a strong showing of new product
and the production of the products "introduced" in 2005, but alas, Broan has raised their KBIS
security level to Defcon 4: "no photography", so you will just have
take our word for it.
-Island rangehood with articulating wings that open when in use, and slide
closed covering the filters when shutoff. Brilliant
-Cryptic Notes we took: "New Pro Hood Procurm??? Mesh and baffle in one filter. Radius great??"
Without photography, we can't really remember what the heck this is. Evidently we liked it.
2005 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Doorbells, bath fans, security systems, and intercoms, Broan has its
fingers in a hundred different pies, but there has been a question for years if
they were still in the hood business. The 2005 KBIS show, and the
investments made in developing new products communicates to the market that Best
has returned its focus to rangehoods.
WC23: A beautiful sleek design with curved glass, and an automatic blower
control. 36" width.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Broan8.jpg
http://www.bestbybroan.com/display/router.asp?BestProductID=100339
WM24: Designed by the Porshe design group it features a 3-layer laminated
aluminum material.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Broan3.jpg
http://www.bestbybroan.com/display/router.asp?BestProductID=100331
WC26: An inclined glass design with blue LED accents projected between the
glass surfaces to the edge. Accents can be activated automatically when
ambient light dims. 36", 42", 48" widths.
All the hoods feature 2-level halogen lighting, ducted and non-ducted installs,
304SS, tempered glass, heat sentry sensors, 4 speed electronic controls
Also featured concept hoods:
Essenza Concept hood: (off center chimney with glass, slick)
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Broan5.jpg
http://www.bestbybroan.com/display/router.asp?BestProductID=100352
Luceante concept hood: Copper unit with glass, not so much to like
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Broan4.jpg
Palato Concept unit: remote control, fold away lights and louvers.
Removable panel (of some kind)
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Broan6.jpg
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Broan7.jpg
A chimney wall hood but with Island style. Can use standard glass but also can
use "art" or stained glass. Glass field installable.
2004 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
New Slide Out Hood
The Best U102 is a low profile slide out hood with only 1-1/4" visible
below the cabinet. Features 304 stainless steel, dual level halogen
lighting, blue LED lit controls, delayed shutoff, time to clean filter reminder,
500CFM internal or can be installed with the any of Best's remote blowers.
Comes in 30", 36" and 42" widths.
Best
U102 Link
2003 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Best Drops A Bomb On The Competition
Best ventilation had only one press release this year...but it was a big
one. Best has finally HVI certified its entire line for sound and
performance. We commend Best for adding "honesty" to their
corporate policy. By changing to higher performing blowers, and lowering
their claimed performance numbers to those actually HVI tested, Best has given
the industry an incentive to transition to a certified honesty
policy. For background please see our September,
2003 news and our in-depth story see our 2000 story.
From here, ApplianceAdvisor.com will help lead the charge to certify the entire
ventilation industry.
The New Range of Range Hoods
Best was either very very late with the launch of their 2001 new
products or they are padding their press kits. Only 3 of the claimed 8 new
products are not to be found in the 2001 kit.
K3139: Euro design with radius. Front controls. 400 CFM. Ducted or with
non-ducted kit. Halogen lamps. 30", 36" and 42" wide.
http://www.bestbybroan.com/product-detail.asp?ProductID=3642
K3500: Several styling elements drawn from the Best manufactured GE Monogram
chimney hoods ZV950 and ZV750. "Quonset hut" styled canopy chimney hood with front view glass. 2
level halogen, electronic controls with features. 450 CFM. Optional 600 and 1500
CFM remote blowers. 90cm width.
http://www.bestbybroan.com/product-detail.asp?ProductID=3666
K7388: Curved glass canopy chimney hood. 450 CFM, multi-level halogen lighting,
electronic push button controls with features. 90cm width.
http://www.bestbybroan.com/product-detail.asp?ProductID=3669
2001 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
As has been reported by ApplianceAdvisor.com (http://www.applianceadvisor.com/Nortek.htm)
Best has in the past engaged in strategic exaggeration, creative
accuracy adjustment, brochure engineered performance
enhancement, an appalling lack of accuracy, when describing the CFM
performance of their hoods. Blowers from Best with promised performances of 600
CFM reached less than 400 CFM when the blower was tested in free air without
hood, duct, filter or back pressure of any kind. Same problem with the Best 1100
CFM hoods. Best’s products shown this year point to a possible (as yet
unproved) reformation of corporate character. Virtually all new Best models list
significantly less performance than existing models in their line, though still
more than 400 CFM. Have our Best friends developed a new improved blower, and a
new corporate conscience? We’ll let you know.
Lots o’ New Chimney Hood Designs
Best is offering many new models, all of
which feature 6" duct, and included in the box: bulbs, transition, and
damper. These models also have an accessory chimney extension for tall kitchens.
IS170: New pyramid shaped island hood (w/ optional glass shelf on
chimney) 500 CFM, optional 600, 1500 CFM remote blower, electronic push button
controls with features, 2 level halogen. For ducting or non-ducting. Two widths
70 and 100 cm. Available October 2001.
IS502: Chimney island hood with glass plate and metal support lines. 480
CFM. Electronic push button control with features or wireless remote control, 2
level halogen. Two widths 70 and 100 cm. Available January 2002.
K30: New chimney wall hood with gem like facets. Electronic push button
controls with features, 2 level halogen, 500 CFM, optional 600, 1500 CFM remote
blower. Two widths of 36 and 48". Available October 2001.
K31: Chimney wall hood with front radius. 400 CFM. Front located controls
with 'ON' indicator light. Ducted and non-ducted option. Three widths of
30", 36", 48". Available October 2001.
K35: Chimney wall hood with deep capture, curved canopy, and glass front
allowing unblocked view of cooking. 2 level halogen, electronic push button
controls with features, 480 CFM, optional 600, 1500 CFM remote blower, 36"
wide. Available October 2001.
K73: Chimney wall hood with curved glass canopy, multi-level halogen,
electronic push button control with features, 480 CFM, ducted or non-ducted, 90
cm wide. Available October 2001.
K273: Chimney wall hood with front radius, electronic push button control
with features, 2 level halogen, 500 CFM, optional 600 and 1500 CFM remote
blower, 36 and 42" widths. Available January 2002
New Downdraft
DD01: New Best downdraft for high end or
professional style kitchens. Stainless steel construction. Rises 9-1/2"
above counter. Electronic push button control with features, 500 CFM standard
with 600 and 1500 CFM remote blower options. Also includes Broan's Advanced Heat
Sentry which increases blower speeds when excessive heat is sensed, a 10 minute
delayed shutoff feature, a "time to clean" filter indicator light.
Available in 30", 36" and 48". We strongly recommend that you are
NOT the first on your block to put one of these in front of a pro style range,
particularly one with a BBQ. Viking made that mistake once, and we think Best is
doing it again here by suggesting it. Available October 2001.
He Huffed and He Puffed……
Looks like Broan is offering several new
HVI certified remote blowers including the 1500 CFM blower which is a little
freakish.
2000 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Nothing to report.
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Revised: February 20, 2008
