
For the first time, a downdraft can be installed with a free–standing range, drop–in cooktops, gas or electric cooktop, slide–in range or a built–in oven with a cooktop. This ensures you can choose the type of cooking appliance best suited for your design and cooking needs.
What's the difference between a downdraft and a range?
The downdraft housing and motor goes under a cooktop, which is why it can ''work'' in those cases. But a range has an oven there, underneath the cooktop. It also attempts to violate the laws of physics to suck hot naturally rising steam, grease, smoke, and odors downward.
Where do you buy your downdraft?
If it's gotta be a range, and it's gotta be downdraft, it'll either be Dacor, JennAir, or a vintage downdraft range from craigslist or something. You may be able to rig something up with other products, but I'm talking about approved, warrantied configurations here.
Can you put a downdraft on a gas cooktop?
For the first time, a downdraft can be installed with a free-standing range, gas or electric cooktop, rangetop, slide-in range or a built-in oven… …hides the lowered downdraft completely, leaving your counter unobstructed and clear Realize design aspirations utilizing your favorite cooking appliances.
Can you vent a downdraft behind a pro range?
You can vent it from the back or side and is an alternative to the downdraft range. Once again, we do not recommend placing a downdraft behind a pro range or any high BTU cooking surface.. like they did in this picture.

Do you need to vent a downdraft range?
Downdraft ranges have built-in vents between the burners, and suck smoke and steam through an exhaust pipe or filtration system. That means they don't need an external vent hood—a trait that makes them popular in open kitchens, and kitchens with cathedral ceilings.
How much does it cost to install a downdraft?
MaterialsTypeCostWall-mounted$200 – $500Island$300 – $900Downdraft$1,000 – $2,500Under-cabinet$200 – $5002 more rows•Dec 20, 2021
Where does a downdraft vent to?
The important and characteristic difference, however, is that downdraft vents are located behind the cooktop, rather than above it. They pull the air horizontally away from the cooktop, and the vents send the collected contaminated air to be filtered down below the countertop.
Do slide in ranges need a vent?
It does not require external venting. It just vents up and into the kitchen without an external vent.
How do you vent a downdraft range?
0:001:01Downdraft Range Venting Requirements Guide | JennAirYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipA five or six inch round or 3 and 1/4 by 10 inch rectangular rigid metal vent with a vent cap isMoreA five or six inch round or 3 and 1/4 by 10 inch rectangular rigid metal vent with a vent cap is recommended for best performance. The size of the vent should be uniform.
Does range hood have to vent outside?
Do range hoods have to be vented outside? No; range hoods without a duct, or ductless range hoods, can recirculate air back into your kitchen. However, to clean your kitchen air most efficiently, purchase a ducted range hood. Rather than relocate the cooking exhaust, it will evacuate it from your home entirely.
How effective are downdraft extractors?
Downdraft hoods need to work harder to make steam go in the other direction, so extraction rates do tend to be a bit lower. They tend to have 80-90% of the same extraction power, but do check to see.
What is the advantage of a slide in range?
Slide-in ranges offer an unobstructed view of the backsplash and aren't restricted to being placed against the wall. The front-control or cooktop surface knobs also make it easier to control without having to reach over a hot surface.
Where do slide in stoves vent?
The oven is vented in one of the following areas: Above the oven door, bottom of the control panel, or behind the cooktop.
Why does a gas stove not need to be vented?
These pollutants include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and formaldehyde. The study found that gas burners are often used without the support of a vented range hood and this greatly increases the risk of deadly gas buildup.
How do you install a downdraft stove?
8:3318:15Downdraft Range Installation Animation | JennAir - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlace the folded edge of the template. Against the rear wall and secure with tape. Cut the templateMorePlace the folded edge of the template. Against the rear wall and secure with tape. Cut the template as needed to expose existing connections to install the downdraft.
Do you need a downdraft with an induction cooktop?
Induction cooktops do not need much venting as gas or electric cooktops do. But they do need ventilation. Residual heat, steam, grease, and smoke are bound to come out of the cooking vessel, which is better handled when you have ventilation.
How do you vent a stove in an island?
Higher-end stove installations in kitchen islands often drape a hood over the stove, with the smoke being drawn straight up a vent and out of the house. Because smoke and steam rise, venting upward tends to be the best option from a functional standpoint.
Best's Cattura Downdraft System
Have a look at this unit: Traditional Gas or Electric CooktopsDrop-in Gas RangetopFreestanding or Slide-In RangeBuilt-In Oven with Cooktop
Pros and Cons of The Cattura Downdraft System, According to Our Installers
1.) 18-inch rise versus the typical 9-13 inches to capture exhaust from front burners2.) 9 blower options, with the option to exhaust either right,...
Why You Should Not Install The Cattura Downdraft
I look at this picture and just cringe. This picture is screaming, "Future Vent Problems." You cannot reverse all the heat grease, and air through...
What is a downdraft range?
Downdraft ranges are different from traditional ranges in that they don't need separate ventilation above the stovetop. Instead, they have the ventilation mechanism built right into ...
How much does a downdraft cooktop cost?
Replace your downdraft range with a downdraft cooktop OR non-vented cooktop + an independent downdraft vent - Independent pop-up downdraft vents take up space under your counter but may be able to use the existing ductwork for your downdraft range (consult with a contractor to make sure). These vents are usually at least $1,000. Downdraft cooktops are more widely available than downdraft ranges and are usually $1,400+. This method will work best if you have space to install a wall oven elsewhere. Pictured below: The Broan 273603.
What is dual fuel range?
Dual fuel ranges offer the best of both worlds: gas burners and an electric oven. The KitchenAid KSDG950ESS is a four-burner downdraft slide in range with dual fuel technology retailing for around $3,699. Like the previous model, it has Even-Heat True Convection and the same interior oven features and controls. The burner power ranges from 5,000 BTU up to 15,000 BTU. Three continuous grate sections make it easy to move cookware around.
How much does a smoothtop range cost?
The smoothtop range model KSEG950ESS, retailing for around $3,299, features a centrally located downdraft vent and a sleek commercial-inspired style. The 6.4 cubic foot oven features Even-Heat True Convection with a bow-tie design heating element and convection fan. Electronic touch controls give you options for convection baking, broiling, and roasting. The interior includes a Steam Rack, a Max-Capacity Rack, and a Gliding Roll-Out Rack. The stovetop has one dual 12"/6" element and wattage from 1,300W to 3,200W.
Where to place a range vent?
Place your range and vent assembly elsewhere in your kitchen - Another possibility is to move your range's location so ventilation with a range hood through a wall is easier and won't block your view over the peninsula or kitchen island.
Is overhead ventilation better than downdraft?
If cost is not an issue, we recommend installing a different ventilation system, since overhead ventilation will perform better than downdraft and give you more flexibility in the products you choose as well. To learn more about kitchen ventilation options, check out our kitchen ventilation buying guide!
Do downdraft vents work on over the range microwave?
Instead, they have the ventilation mechanism built right into the range itself. This eliminates the need for an over the range microwave or vent hood to provide separate ventilation. Overall, downdraft vents are not as effective as overhead ventilation, so if you do a lot of cooking, especially with high heat, we don't recommend them. ...
Can you vent a MW hood to the exterior?
Also, is there an exterior wall close-by? If its behind the cooktop then you'll able to easily vent the new MW hood to the exterior.
Can you vent a MW hood?
A good GC or HVAC trade can tell you your options for venting the new MW hood. If the underground path for the original downdraft is not too long, you may be able to tie into that. It really depends on how the original vent was run, and the type of floor you have etc.
Can a downdraft stovetop be converted to a range?
I am moving into a house with a JennAire downdraft electric stove top with 2 burners and a grill top. It's original to the house which was built in 1987. The kitchen has granite counters. How difficult would this be to convert to an electric range with an over range microwave? I would not want to replace the granite counter tops. (I will be replacing the horrible backsplash at some point.
Why is raised downdraft better than induction?
So this is a better option because it allows you the ability to buy induction or another gas cooktop and incorporate a separate, more powerful downdraft option.
Who makes downdraft cooktops?
JennAir and KitchenAid (both owned by Whirlpool) are the only companies still actively manufacturing downdraft cooktops. It's worse for ranges with the same product marketed by JennAir and Kitchen Aid.
Do downdrafts exhaust?
Downdrafts do exhaust somewhat. They cannot handle vast amounts of smoke or heat, and they should always be considered the last option, especially with higher output (over 15,000 BTU) burners. Do not place a downdraft behind a pro range. I know it's tempting because you see it on Houzz and other publications.
Is Jennair the same as Kitchenaid?
JennAir and KitchenAid have the only downdraft ranges, and it's the same product. The gas is not gas but dual fuel or a gas top over an electric oven.
Is downdraft cooking a real regulation?
Yes, it's a real regulation, and some inspectors take it seriously. Then you will look at downdraft cooktops and alternatives. Then ranges and their alternatives. So there is a lot to learn. You also need to understand venting and how to vent.
Do Downdrafts Work?
Maybe is the short answer. Downdrafts can have enough CFM. They start at 330 to 1200 CFM. However, unlike a range hood, there is little or no capture area.
Why are downdraft vents needed?
The vent moves exhaust air from the range to the outside through a duct (usually in the floor), making an overhead vent unnecessary. Because they afford an unobstructed view, downdraft vents are great for islands and peninsulas. I thought the first job was going to be difficult and was surprised by how simple it was.
Do I ductwork fall between joists?
The same is true when venting through an I-joist system, which usually requires that the ductwork fall between joists. Check with a building official or structural engineer before altering engineered joists.
Can I run ductwork between floor joists?
In this case, I was able to run the duct between the floor joists. If the hole for the duct had landed over a joist, I’d have tried to move the cabinet layout a few inches, which is easier than modifying the floor framing. The same is true when venting through an I-joist system, which usually requires that the ductwork fall between joists. Check with a building official or structural engineer before altering engineered joists.
Do downdraft vents go down?
Downdraft-vent ducts don’t have to go straight down through the floor; they can go into a cabinet on either side of the range and then through the floor or toward the back of the range, into the wall and then either up or down.
Where are blowers mounted on a downdraft?
It's mostly a logistics issue. Most downdrafts have the motors and blowers mounted in the space below the cooktop and where YOUR oven will be. There are some remote blower downdraft options but none are budget friendly in my opinion.
What is a pop up side draft?
There are pop-up side-draft units, e.g., by Broan/Best, that occupy counter space outside the limits of a cooktop or range and which are ducted down and outside via underfloor ducting. They may be adequate for simmering bacon, and capturing steam. They will not be adequate for any serious hot greasy cooking because the plume velocity and volumetric flow rate will be too high for the pop-up flow rate to deviate an entire plume to the pop-up entry port. Even for modest cooking, grease or odor plumes should be generated at burners close to the pop-up. This subject is addressed in some detail in several threads on this forum. Sophie's second paragraph is too kind, and understates the difficulty of deviating the direction of mass air flow. Do not expect good results unless, like the OP, extreme cooking is simmering bacon.
Does a range have an oven?
The downdraft housing and motor goes under a cooktop, which is why it can ''work'' in those cases. But a range has an oven there, underneath the cooktop.
Does Dacor have downdraft vents?
I know that Dacor makes downdraft vents that work with their ranges. I don't know specifically of any other configuration that works. There definitely are pop-up downdrafts that work with cooktops and/or rangetops. You really should consider an island vent hood.
