I've started to contemplate a kitchen remodel, and I'm wondering about downdraft vents for the stove. I've never actually used one-- how well do they work? The whole design seems... backwards. The vent is only a couple of inches off the stovetop's surface, well below the edge of many pots. The steam and smoke intended to get vented will emanate from well above the level of the vent. Traditional hood venting sucks the vapors upward, which seems like the way God intended it. Do downdraft vents really get the job done?
Posted by Peter at September 16, 2004 06:43 PMNo, they don't really work. I've never owned one, but I've known several people who have, and have gorgeous new kitchens with all the latest gadgets, and the downdraft vents look cool (one I saw rises from the cooktop island at the touch of a button) but don't really work.
Also, super-quiet dishwashers with sleek controls that hide when the thing is closed... can't tell when the dishes are done.
Word to the wise.
Danny, veteran of two complete kitchen remodels (alas, none with even the option of a downdraft vent)
Posted by: Danny on September 17, 2004 01:04 PMIf you're trying to lower airconditioning costs, the position of the overhead hood and your heat sources can be crucial.
Butting your stove against a wall changes the airflow so that more stray heat goes up into the venthood. I know an energy auditor working with a restaurant chain --same exact layouts of three sites within 20 minute drive from eachother. The difference between against the wall and two inches away is $120 a month power bill difference.
Recommend overhead vent, and placement against a wall, not in a freestanding island.
Shop around and insist on a demo of the vent --just like with computer fans, some manufactorers understand "quiet" and others are completely clueless.
Posted by: HVACengineer on September 21, 2004 06:22 AMI have a downdraft - telescoping from the back near the wall when I press a button. 1. It is SUPER loud, 2. it only works so-so. For gas cooktops, ones in the back work better than ones inthe middle (Jennair) - because the middle one pulls the flame too. I end up only using it if there is ALOT of steam.
We just finished our kitchen remodel so I have a lot of potentially helpful hints if you want. Really the decision for us regarding vents was what was there previously (a Jennair) so we could use the existing venting path out. Moving all the tubing to between the floors and out was more than we cared to tackle.
Good luck - and I love my new kitchen!!!!
-- Danielle
Posted by: Danielle on October 2, 2004 09:32 AMwould a 15" rise downdraft vent work better (thermador 15" rise vent:http://www.thermador.com/product.cfm?product_id=461). any comments?
sincerely
quanhe