skip to main content

36'GE Monogram Range top with Downdraft

12 years ago

We are replacing our Thermador Gas Cooktop with a GE monogram Range top.

We don't want a Hood in the center of our kitchen. There is a GE monogram

downdraft system available. Does anyone have one, and if so, are you satisfied?

We are used to the Thermador telescopic downdraft. It's always worked ok, but

the BTU's aren't as high as the Range top.

I'd love to hear from anyone that has experience with the Monogram.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

skibum1026
12 years ago
We too wanted a commercial style range, maybe a range top, and the downdraft as it was going into an island. The answer from every sales person was that you could do a cooktop with a downdraft but an absolute no to the range top. The GE Monogram (which we initially loved too until further research), is marketed as a commercial quality range, and does have the higher BTU's on a majority of the burners. We had looked at the Wolf rangetop, which would have required 900 cfm of ventilation (not happening with a downdraft) but ended up going with the Wolf 36" range with 6 burners. We settled on an island hood with 1,200 cfm of ventilation power. Looking back I may have down 1,500 cfm as our run was 20 feet with 4 turns and we are realistically only getting 1,000 cfm. Now I know that it'll be rare that we ever have all the burners on full blast, but we now have a system that's sized for it. Plus by doing the overhead ventilation we were able to do an exterior blower motor which isolates most of the sound to a remote region. The blower motors at the unit can be very noisy.

We had considered getting a cooktop just so we could stay with the downdraft. Unfortunately we could find no cooktops with the black ceramic around the burners. All were either black glass or all stainless. We had a stainless one last year and it discolored and scratched horribly. Our only option became the miele all glass:

http://www.mieleusa.com/usa/cooking/cooktops/product.asp?cat=3&subcat=11&model=116&series=34&nav=&snav=&tnav=&oT=197&menu_id=16&active=Our%20Products&subm=Home%20Appliances&thirdL=Cooking%20Products&fourthL=Cooktops&fifthL=Products&;

But the all black glass was going to show everything.

One last piece of advice, do not skimp on ventilation especially with a commercial range. Plus if you oversize, you can run the fan at a lower speed and have adequate ventilation.
breezygirl
12 years ago
Is the downdraft made to go with the rangetop? I've never heard of a downdraft and rangetop combo.

I would also consider other brands of rangetops (Wolf, Capital Culinarian) before I'd buy a Monogram.
Related Discussions
36' drop in range & 30' wall oven vs 30' DF range
Q
Comments (1)
I would pick an all-gas range and electric wall oven. An all gas range is considerably less expensive than dual-fuel, and you would have the flexibility of two ovens & an infrared broiler (only available in a gas oven). You could use the gas oven as a warming oven, handy to the rangetop, or its extra large capacity for crowds. If you don't choose a range, then a rangetop will give you higher BTUs and large burner grids than a "cooktop", which has discreet burner or hob areas. I'd pick the GE Monogram 36" 6 burner gas rangetop. For an electric wall oven, I believe a GE Monogram convection gives good value for the price. Others may suggest good alternatives. We installed a 36" 6 burner DCS range because it was available in all gas while GE Monogram only has dual fuel. At the time, 3 years ago, DCS offered rolling oven racks, higher burner BTUs, and a simmer ring on all burners, while Wolf did not & was considerably more expensive. We're very happy with the DCS & would get it again. We also have an electric wall oven & love the flexibility.
...See More
Please tell me what your GE Monogram Range or Rangetop
Q
Comments (11)
I have the 48", 6 burners plus grill. I love it. We cook a lot and it has been a real workhorse. The first problem with it has been this week - one of the burners will not ignite and I will have to call in for repair. However, I've had this 7 years and if that's the worst thing that happens, I'm delighted. Can't comment on the grates as these are different than the current version. We don't use the grill much at all. We are in the South and find that grilling outside is just easier. That all being said, we are currently building and the new kitchen will probably get a Blue Star. Not that I don't love this one, but the Blue Star will let me get a 24" griddle plus 6 burners (bigger kitchen) and more BTUs. Has I not found out about the Bluestar I probably would have gotten the Monogtam again.
...See More
30 inch Range top or 30 inch range + wall oven/ advantium
Q
Comments (2)
We entertain a lot and cook every night. When we remodeled we replaced the 30" cooktop and double wall oven with a 30" dual fuel range and 30" 240V Advantium wall oven. You will have to learn sequencing with the Advatium for multiple dishes, especially if you are going to use the microwave. The oven needs to cool down some before using the MW. We got a great deal on a GE Monogram Pro DF range and all of them are working perfectly.
...See More
Do you Grill on your Range Top?
Q
Comments (12)
I thought I would add my .02 :) We don't have a built-in grill but we do grill all the time using a Lodge Logic grill pan. We love it and find that with the high heat we can get on our center gas burner we can get an "outdoor" grill flavor that is better even than charcoal w/o the after taste that some grill cooking has. We have a 1400 cfm remote blower. It is a liner from Tradewind. It is quiet and efficient and gets every bit of grease and odor. I will post a couple pics .Can't stress enough the initial start of the fan about 5 min before cooking starts. Also let run as long as there is a hot pan on the burner and to get all of the "dirty" air out of the system before you shut it off. This is why you want a system that is quiet so you will use it completely. I also want to mention having more power than you "need" so that you can use medium as your max speed. The reason for this is that turbulence is created inside the duct on high and the odors/steam/grease etc come 'back at'cha". This is a law of physics and is unavoidable so plan on this when getting the cfm you need. A few more things: get baffles as they are easy to clean, they are quieter, they capture better. If you have a high cfm you can ignore the 6" extra that you need in width and also add height to your hood to place it further away from the cooktop. We have a 54" and there is no extra on the ends. We also have it 33" above cook surface. As you can see it works great and I am REALLY glad we have it higher. One reason I like the grill pan is the above mentioned cleanup. It is simplicity with the LL pan. Wiping down the cook top is a breeze and no parts to remove etc. Way more than you probably wanted to know LOL> Here are a couple pics and there are tons more on my photobucket accts . c steaks on LL pan: view of high heat wok cooking and what happens when you have good ventilation: view of hood assembly:
...See More
hollylh
12 years ago
We have had nothing but trouble with our monogram ovens and fridge, in terms of service. GE is impossible to deal with and the monogram parts are always out of stock. Our top local appliance dealer no longer carries GE at all because of the service issues. So I would strongly suggest a different brand!
User
12 years ago
If overhead venting is out, then so are pro style cooking appliances. They produce too many BTUs to try to contravene the laws of physics by sucking all of that downward. A downdraft only works moderately well with regular consumer grade appliances.

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Find the Right Range for Your Kitchen

By KitchenLab Interiors

Range style is mostly a matter of personal taste. This full course of possibilities can help you find the right appliance to match yours

5 Stunning Modern Range Hoods

Today's kitchen range hoods can look like sleek sculptures. Here's what to look for when you go shopping for one

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean Your Range and Oven

By Bonnie McCarthy

Experts serve up advice on caring for these kitchen appliances, which work extra hard during the holidays

KITCHEN APPLIANCES Love to Cook? You Need a Fan. Find the Right Kind for You

By The Sky is the Limit Design

Don't send budget dollars up in smoke when you need new kitchen ventilation. Here are 9 top types to consider

KITCHEN DESIGN What to Know When Choosing a Range Hood

Find out the types of kitchen range hoods available and the options for customized units

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Award-Winning Kitchens from KBIS 2013 to Drool Over

By Karen LeBlanc Design TV Host & Writer/Blogger

See top-rated designs from this year's Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and get details about the designers' visions

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Choose the Right Hood Fan for Your Kitchen

By The Sky is the Limit Design

Keep your kitchen clean and your home's air fresh by understanding all the options for ventilating via a hood fan

KITCHEN APPLIANCES Find the Right Cooktop for Your Kitchen

By KitchenLab Interiors

For a kitchen setup with sizzle, deciding between gas and electric is only the first hurdle. This guide can help

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Popular Stovetop Options — Plus Tips for Choosing the Right One

By The Sky is the Limit Design

Pick a stovetop that fits your lifestyle and your kitchen style with this mini guide that covers all the basics

BEFORE AND AFTERS Reader Project: California Kitchen Joins the Dark Side

By Mitchell Parker

Dark cabinets and countertops replace peeling and cracking all-white versions in this sleek update

Sponsored

NME Builders LLC

2 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, OH

More Discussions

Does anyone have a range with a griddle or a grill that they like?

15

Any advice on a vent liner?

5

KitchenAid refrigerator coating?

1

Recall of Frigidaire and Kenmore Electric Ranges in USA & Canada

1

Single wall oven and cooktop or range

12