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Any advice on telescoping ventilation for gas range?

14 years ago

I'm trying my hardest to avoid getting a hood over my gas range. Any advice or experience with the telescoping vent systems that pop up behind the range?

Comments (6)

live_wire_oak
14 years ago
You should post your whole layout for more suggestions. A downdraft with a gas cooktop of any variety is a last resort type of situation, not something you design a kitchen around. It tends to not vent very well, and if you do have one that provides enough CFM for venting, it tends to pull the flame to one side leading to poor heating.

Depending on your layout as it exists, it may be better (and cheaper!) to locate a sink on a peninsula or island rather than a cooktop/range. There are always other options to think about. Post your layout as it exists and your wants/needs & get some feedback.
nicanewjersey
14 years ago
I'm actually wondering the same thing. I currently have a very old Jenn Air downdraft cooktop on an interior wall, so the ductwork is already in place. For budget reasons, we don't want to change the layout of our kitchen too drastically (relocating plumbing, etc.). I thought I was ok with a OTR microwave with a recirculating hood, but now I'm wondering if I should reconsider a downdraft setup.

Does anyone have a new Jenn Air downdraft range? Does the venting take up space behind the range, or could it stand on its own? I'm considering a gas slide-in model, but I can't figure out where the space for the venting needs to be. Also, are Jenn Air ranges any good, or are they just overpriced niche proucts?

I'm also considering a telescoping vent by Dacor, but I can't figure out if it can be installed behind a slide-in range or if it can only be installed behind a cooktop. Basically, I want to preserve the storage space under the cooktop, and I'm wondering if that's possible.
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weissman
14 years ago
Dacor is the only brand that makes a telescoping downdraft that can be mounted behind THEIR range. All other downdrafts only work with cooktops.
carriepe
Original Author
14 years ago
Here is my latest kitchen layout. I'm thinking of not getting any ventilation at all. But wondering if I'd be making a huge mistake. The wall where the range is have been removed halfway and we were planning on a breakfast bar.

Here is a link that might be useful: McInerney Layout
megpie77
14 years ago
My dear friend has a pop-up vent behind her gas cooktop. She also has 9-10ft ceilings. She told me she rarely uses it. My husband said you would need at least a 26" depth cabinet to accomodate this. Don't quote him on this as he is not a contactor, just a brilliant DIYer.
cali_wendy
14 years ago
We have a Dacor cooktop with telescoping downdraft behind it in our island. We have a remote blower located on an outside wall. The CFM is pretty high (the middle one they offer I think). Don't have a big problem with it pulling the flame (maybe the highest CFM does).

Honestly, it doesn't work great, but it is better than nothing. Hoods are much better at removing smoke and odors, but we really didn't want the hood hanging down above our island.

We have a very open floor plan and certain things do stink up the house. I open the French doors and the windows, light a candle and deal with it. It's not that bad. We do have two sets of French doors and several windows in and around our kitchen, so that may make a big difference for us.

It really is a personal choice and matter of priorities. I would make the same decision again. It was the right one for us.

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