US Cook Top.

[ozzie908]

Does anyone in the US know of a Cooktop which had an extractor built into it, May have been called a "Downdraught"? When you switched it on it popped up out the back of the Hob and sucked the steam from the pans.
Anyone any pictures please?

Austin

 

[rp2813]

I think there was more than one manufacturer for that type of system.  Our next door neighbors installed one when they remodeled their kitchen around 1990 or so.  I can't remember the make.  It had a smooth cooking surface and one burner was more powerful than the rest, with a bright infrared recessed element.  The rest of the burners were nothing more than your standard round outlines on the cooktop surface.

 

[hydralique]

Are you referring to a downdraft rangetop? Jenn-Air made the first one I know of, it was their flagship product and allowed installation in an island without a hood above. The original Jenn-Air downdraft was integral with the rangetop and looked rather like a griddle set between pairs of burners. Unfortunately the grill took up a fair amount of space on the rangetop, and also required the specialized rangetop that didn't work with a conventional hood (unless you wanted two ventilation systems!). At some point someone invented the modern conventional downdraft which is a separate item that installs behind a rangetop. When turned on the unit lifts up maybe 8 inches, exposing an inlet that sucks fumes off the tops of pans. Many manufacturers make these, and you can usually mix and match the ventilator and rangetop - a few years ago I specified a 45" Viking downdraft behind a 45" Thermador rangetop because the owner wanted the Thermador but they didn't make a downdraft in that size. The result looked and worked fine.

 

[ronhic]

We recently ripped out the Jenn-Air that was in the house be bought. Built in 1981, this was a very heavy stainless steel cook top that also came with a grill element and 'fake rock-plate' that you could use on one side.

 

I have to say, that the whole 'down-draft' concept isn't one that I'm a fan of (pun intended). Put a large pot/boiler on there and it frankly couldn't remove the steam.....

 

[vacbear58]

Jenn - Air

Austin

I would agreen with the consus that it is Jenn Air, although Gaggneau have also sold down draft extractors too. I did have one of those for a time although I never actually used it as it too up a great deal of space in the cupboard under - that and the problems of running a vent duct

Al

 

[logixx]

Do these downdrafts work well? I suppose you need a lot of suction to get the hot steam to move towards the vents, rather than upwards. I like the idea, though.

BTW: there are some crazy downdrafts out there. Like this one: Gutmann Futura, sells for 5000 Euros / 7000+ USD



And more:

Hoods & Vents - Appliancist

 

[rapunzel]

Like this one: Gutmann Futura, sells for 5000 Euros

It's very stylish in a bland way, but I don't think a lot of this stuff stands up to heavy use and it looks like heaps of hard work to maintain in top condition.

 

[rapunzel]

We recently ripped out the Jenn-Air

Did you junk it?

 

[retropia]

My condo had a 1979 JennAir drop-in with the built-in downdraft exhaust fan in the middle of the cooktop. I recall the exhaust fan was a weak performer.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Thermador sold them also. The vent rose up out of the counter behind the cooktop.

 

[turquoisedude]

Had a Jenn-Air in Ogden

and I was really disappointed with its performance.  The fan was not a great performer, as noted by others, and worse still,  the vent cover would get frozen open in the winter months.   The grill was a PITA to clean and most of my cookware just slid on the two-burner smooth-top cooktop!   I was turning cartwheels the day the GE Kitchen Centre range was finally installed!! 

 

I have a friend north of Montreal who has one of the original Thermador cooktops with the vent that raises and lowers (like Tom describes); it may be the way it was installed, but the vent is very effective!

 

[rp2813]

We had a Jenn-Air downdraft as well.  The cooktop was gas, the grille for the fan was in the center, and with fan running the gas flames would get distorted. 

 

I do not think the original post is inquiring about anything made by Jenn-Air.  Unless it's a recent design change, Jenn-Air didn't have a vent that rose up out of the rear of the counter.

 

My first thought about the neighbors I mentioned above was that theirs was a Thermador, but that's a high-end brand and they tended to go more mid-range, so to speak, on purchases.

 

[mattl]

There are many on the market that are added to the cooktop. The one's I've seen vary in height, I would think the higher the better, but all have quite powerful exhaust systems to would seem to do the job.

My brother is quite happy with his Jenn Air unit, in fact they are on their second one in 20 years. He designed their kitchen with a center cooking island and with the downdraft they have no need of a range hood. I've noticed zero discoloration of the ceiling over the stove after several years, so I'd say it's working.

 

[gadgetgary]

Beware

Knew someone with the downdraft JennAire.  They grilled a lot and one day, the venting system caught on fire and destroyed their house.  Guess they grilled a lot of greasy food and it built up in the venting system.

 

Don't know exactly how the fire happened.

 

 

[aegokocarat]

'twas jenn-aire

 

[ronhic]

Did you junk it?

Yes...

 

....and replaced it with this.

 

There was a copper hood above the cook top that used to house a light, so we installed an integrated under cupboard (no slide) 750mm Electrolux extractor into the space and ducted it through the cupboard and out the wall behind. No more steamy kitchen...

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westinghouse.com.au

 

[ozzie908]

To all who replied...

I thank each and every one of you

All I recall of the Cooktop was it was stainless steel and gas and this fan came up out the back of it and removed the steam I have to admit it was a pretty amazing peice of work..!

Austin

 

[petek]

Yes it was the Thermador with the exhaust fan that rose up from the backsplash..I think they still make them.. It was only two or 3 years ago iirc seeing them in some appliance store.