stove hood, and my lack of planning

D’oh! That sounds like something I would do. Maybe call an HVAC contractor or similar – someone who runs venting all the time may be able to offer a crafty solution. Restaurant supply may offer filtering options if venting doesn’t work.

-- cut it twice and it's still too short...

Ouch! Been there, but haven’t done that one (yet). As Tomoose said, I would try someone in HVAC on that one. No matter how good the filter is, you’ll get stuck with the smell.

-- I've never seen a tree that I wouldn't like to repurpose into a project. I love the smell of wood in the morning - it smells like victory.

nice work…we just stop cooking in the house..LOL..

-- Dan Hux,,,,Raleigh, NC http://whitdaniel.com

what would Norm do ?

This would be a lot of extra work and it would certainly change the look and feel of the kitchen:

What about running ductwork just below ceiling level to the nearest outside wall, which I’m guessing, is directly across from the stove? Like when you build a frame around beams, ducts, etc. in a basement? And if having just one looked odd or out-of-place, you could build several other false beams to match, giving you a coved/timbered/boxed/whatever-you-want-to-call-it ceiling. With that hood design, it doesn’t look like you’re trying to go the streamlined, modern/contemporary route, so that’s why I threw this idea out there. It would certainly be a lot less maintenence, headache, and probably smell in the long run. More work upfront, but less over time.

Again, don’t know the look or feel you’re going for in the kitchen, so this might be the exact opposite direction you want to go?

Just so you don’t feel like you’re the only one out there, I’m with BillyJ as well. I haven’t done this one yet, but enough other “Why didn’t I think of that?” after the fact moments, even though I try to think everything through beforehand.

-- Jonathan, Denver, CO "Constructive criticism is welcome and valued as it gives me new perspectives and helps me to advance as a woodworker."

Yeah but… it sure looks nice.

-- Bruce. a mind is like a book it is only useful when open.

Jonathan, great idea about the false beam, but i have two rooms to go thru before i hit an outside wall, and one of them would not do with ceiling beams. thanks for the great idea though.

Ah, so the kitchen is in the middle of the house and not along an outside wall. That is a bummer!

Can you either do a rough drawing of the layout of your house, including beam runs, and then take a picture of it, or do a quick blueprint on sketchup and then upload that?

I’ll keep thinking, and hopefully you’ll get some good feedback from someone who has actually tackled something similar to this before.

I’m just trying to brainstorm as to what I would do if I were in this particular situation.

-- Jonathan, Denver, CO "Constructive criticism is welcome and valued as it gives me new perspectives and helps me to advance as a woodworker."

My Dad did woodworking (from carpentry to cabinets and furniture) for many years. I will always remember his saying, ”It is not that a craftsman does not make mistakes – he just knows how to correct them so others don’t know it!” You’ve done a good job, and I know you can figure out the fix. Keep us posted.