Rated 1 out of 5 by gkmn User Interface very poorly designed, buttons failing after 2.5 years
Our previous Broan hood lasted for many years and probably would have lasted many more. During a kitchen upgrade we decided to replace it with a model that would work better in the new design, and maybe is a bit quieter and easier to clean.
The QP330BL seemed to fit the bill. It is not too loud, has good airflow and great lighting (though the halogen bulbs run fairly hot).
Unfortunately the user interface is a total failure:
- The small and hard to see buttons need to be pushed just the right amount of time or the unit will not do what it should.
- The clock is useless, it is off by minutes within a week.
- The timer is useless, because the acoustic signal is barely audible with the hood running.
- The unit does not remember it's settings, so after each (fairly common) brownout or power loss (even just a few seconds) it has to be reprogrammed.
- The plastic covering the buttons is not very durable, after 2.5 years it broke leaving a button exposed. Chances are this will not last much longer, and I am not sure if that can be easily replaced if at all.
With easier to use controls, removing all the unnecessary functions like yet another clock (that doesn't even keep time right) this unit would be a great value. As is I can not recommend it.
May 1, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Jose I find this hood has all the features of a modern and up to
Date hood of today. It has the lattes clock features helping you through
The cooking experience The hood vent looks beautiful with the lights and the exhaust fan does a wonderful job keeping the odors out of the house and out of the kitchen .
February 22, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by DougMac86 We are very pleased with performance and looks...
Replaced our over the range Microwave with the Broan and had it vented outside. Does everything we need it to do: takes my hot pepper cooking odors outside instead of lingering in the kitchen along with other cooking odors. Gave us more seeing room over the stove and it looks great with all our other stainless steel appliances. Lights are awesome! Only once has the automatic venting speed fan come on from sensing too much heat but turned off in about 5 minutes...I can live with that.
February 21, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by FrankT Quiet and efficient
This fan has great light and nightlight features and its quiet. I like being able to put the filters in the dishwasher. The stainless steel is easy to maintain and we get compliments about it.
February 20, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by Roger54 Definitely compliments our kitchen upgrade
This was just one of many appliances we upgraded in our kitchen. We are very pleased with the quality, features, and performance.
February 20, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by rap751 it work as good as it looks
very impressed by the style and even more impressed by how well it works. I installed it with the optional non venting filters and it is powerful enough to eliminate all cooking odors and smoke. Broan was recommended by our kitchen designers I just glad we listened.
February 20, 2013
Rated 1 out of 5 by KBRAPP VERY DISAPPOINTED FOR THIS HIGHER END PRODUCT
I am very disappointed in the effectiveness of any smoke & odor removal.
The fan is not centrally located in hood and therefore I can watch the smoke difuse throughout my kitchen and not be pulled to fan, even at its highest speed.
I thought I would love the different light settings, but they are also difficult, expecially when the auto night light frequently resets itself. I have had this exhaust for well over a year and still need to get out manual to reset it.
Sorry, but would definitely NOT RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT!!!!!
February 20, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by Jnso Broan range hood
Great ventilation, good lighting options though LED might have been preferable over halogen that get very hot.
Major drawback is the control panel menu settings, especially for setting time & timer, but also for display, sleep, and ambient light sensor. I keep feeling it would take an MIT grad. student to sort them all out given their complexity. I rarely use these features, only if necessary, and always refer to the manual to sort them out. Initially I phoned Broan, got an able technician to talk me through them, but even then found it difficult to hit the right buttons in time and in order. Panel needs a whole rethink and redo.
February 20, 2013