ApplianceAdvisor Appliance Report FABER 508

The New Appliance Report from ApplianceAdvisor.com

FABER (a division of Franke)
508-358-5353
Italian maker of rangehoods

2006 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
The Mistero Hood
Our notes say: "Add 2 points for creative placement of the warming lights, but deduct 4 points for overall ugliness. This hood solves the problem of Island hoods which cannot normally be coupled with warming lamps, a problem that would best be left unsolved if this is the only solution."
This is what our notes say, but something strange has happened. The Mistero is growing on us. Fit and finish are good, the seams are well done, the double chimney is interesting, only the red warming lights strike a discordant tone of a hellish red reflection.. What is the cost of warming lights on an island hood? For this particular solution of the problem, the engineers have undoubtedly decided that the sky's the limit.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2006Appliancephotos/2006faber2.jpg

The Wonder Hood with Customizable Glass
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The Mirror Hood
This has an articulating hatch which opens when the hood is in use, and seals shut when off. Controls are touch sensor through glass. The mirrored glass (and the design) eliminates the problem and possibility of cleaning the back of the glass. Very clever, and certainly a Best of Show. Some of its appeal and cues come from Zephyr's Cheng Design hood, Matchbook, launched in 2004.
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http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2006Appliancephotos/2006faber5.jpg

2005 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
The Terrible TV in Hood
This just sounds silly until you factor in the cooking grease it will be coated with. Now it sounds stupid. This is not the first video hood......and alas, no matter how often I stab it with a hot poker, it will not be the last.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2005Appliancephotos/2005Faber4.jpg

Chimney Hoods with Baffle Filters
Faber launches some middle end chimney island hoods featuring baffle filters, 4 lamps, and surprisingly modest mechanical controls.
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2004 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
An Improvement of the Concept
The new Faber Matrix is certainly an improvement over the 2003 Concept, as the integrated lighting allows one piece installation. As of January 2005, this unit is still not on the market and we have no details as to specs, but we assume that the features will be very much like the Concept (see below).
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http://www.faberonline.com/luxury.html

2003 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
New "Concept" Ventilation System
Proving that there are still untapped ideas in kitchen ventilation, Faber introduced the 2 piece "Concept" venting system with a back wall installed intake section and a separate ceiling hanging halogen lighting system. The intake features a claimed 600CFM, a sound proofing system, hidden grease filters, a heat sensor for automatic operation, and 24 hour air changeover feature. Controls are remotely wired. Faber claims that the "Air passing through the narrow slots on the ventilation panel acquires speed, causing an area of low pressure which, in turn, sucks in more air." This claim makes us raise both of our eyebrows in doubt that increased restriction results in increased air flow. Can anyone tell us which law of physics this claim breaks??? Anyone? The Law of Supply-Side Ventilation. (see Faber response below) As Faber products are not HVI certified, their claim of 600CFM is not confirmed and could be doubted. For design and creativity we give this unit a best in show.
http://www.applianceadvisor.com/2003Appliancephotos/faberconcepthood.jpg

January 8, 2004 RESPONSE BY FABER ENGINEERING
"For the BERNOULLI physics law, if the speed increase the pressure decrease so in the narrow slot on the CONCEPT we have an additional    small depressure that help to capture better the smoke. Thanks to the perimeter suction the hood has the same CFM of a standard canopy hood (600 CFM) but a lower noise level (and a better look)"
"......... the depressured area helps to capture better the smoke because around that area you will have an additional depressure (additional to the depressure caused by the blower) and the smoke passing near that area feels this depressure and is bended more into the hood. You will have a main suction flow due to the blower and an additional suction flow due to the additional depressure generated from the narrow slot. At the end the suction level of the hood is comparable with a standard canopy hood but the noise level is much lower."
January 8, 2004 RESPONSE BY APPLIANCEADVISOR
Faber's response as well as one from a High School Physics teacher convinces us that perhaps the Advisor mis-spoke, and it is possible with a correctly designed gap to increase performance. Obviously (and we say obviously with some concern that it will bite us!!) there are limits to the restriction which will result in increased performance. I used to like Fluid Mechanics.

2002 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Semi-Pro Chimney Hood
Faber launched (4) "Euro-Pro" hybrid models (2 island + 2 wall) mixing European chimney hood style with some pro hood features such as low profile stainless steel baffle filters, a deeper 22" depth, and widths up to 48". All units feature 3 speed mechanical controls, halogen lighting and low profile canopies made possible by locating the blower in the chimney. Ductless kits available. Though these units are long in coming, they still do not satisfy the high CFM demands of many North American pro-style ranges with a BBQ. Viking's attempts so far in that category have been crude.
http://www.faberonline.com/euroPRO.html

Powerpacked
The new Faber Inca Pro is the real news from Faber. A powerpack for custom hood applications, it features low profile stainless baffle filters, 120V 45W halogen lighting, and a 3 speed slider control. The Inca Pro is 38" wide and packs (2) 600CFM blowers which exit out (2) 6" diameter exits. One can run 2 lengths of 6" duct or use the optional duct transition kit to combine the duct exhausts into a single 10" diameter duct run.....which seems to be a no brainer, so we think that this should be standard in the box.
http://www.faberonline.com/incaprobi.html

The Back to Basics Movement
The "Syntheses" is a basic pyramid shaped hood with 500CFM, 3 speed mechanical controls, mesh filters and a feature not normally found on economy versions, halogen lighting. Available in 30" and 36" widths. MSRP of $800.
http://www.faberonline.com/synthesis.html

2001 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Faber this year jettisoned their tired KBIS display for a new high styled get up better matching their place in the ventilation world. Faber used the show to promote the current Euro design sense with displays showing low profile pyramid hoods with blowers in the chimney, Euro pro hoods, and the "Integrated" look in which dishwashers, refrigerators, hoods and children disappear into the cabinetry.

2000 Kitchen & Bath Show Introductions
Nothing to report