skip to main content

Looking for a narrow pop up downdraft vent

6 years ago

We buying a house with a slide in propane range in an island and no active ventilation. We want to add ventilation for fumes and to capture grease. We don't want to add a hood for aesthetic and pracital reasons, so we are looking at either a range with built-in downdraft (like the KitchenAid KSDG950ESS) or a pop up downdraft. However, the space in the island cabinet is very limited, which gets to my question: does anyone know of a very narrow popup downdraft system? We have an unfinished basement below so there is room for the blower and vent works underneath. Other suggestions or comments would be helpful.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Buehl
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I suggest you ask on the Appliances Forum. However, if you want effective venting, a downdraft isn't the answer - they're notoriously ineffective, noisy, etc.

If there's seating at the island, it will be unpleasant to sit there when you're cooking and the downdraft is in your visitors' faces along with the steam, smoke, grease, fumes, etc., that downdrafts don't capture well.

If there's no seating, well at least that's a little better....

Really, you would be much better off with a real vent hood, even if you don't find them aesthetically pleasing. There are many designed for islands that are not eyesores.

Appliances Forum: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/appl
M
6 years ago
While I fully agree with everything that @buehl says, in the interest of full disclosure, I have to admit that I have seen a 13" Bosch downdraft unit behind a Bluestar cook top in a friend's mountain cabin. I wouldn't say it works well, but I have to concede that it works to some degree and is certainly better than nothing.

It has bar seating right behind the downdraft, and that's mostly OK as well.

None of it would be my ideal configuration. But in cabin that doesn't get used that often, it is quite acceptable. In a main house? Hmm, I'd still try to find a way to get the overhead hood installed somehow.
Related Discussions
Help! Pop up downdraft. 7', 9 1/2' or 14'
Q
Comments (5)
Definitely go with the highest one you can find, especially with gas, as the downdraft will try and "tug" at the flames. If price is an issue and you can deal with a basic slide switch, look at the Bosch, it is a few hundred less than the Thermador, but essentially the same beast. KitchenAid also has a 14" one now, don't know who is making that one. I have the Bosch and I am pretty happy with it as far as downdrafts go. I still wouldn't expect a lot of "capture" when using the front burners. (50% max) I also suggest an inline or remote blower to reduce sound levels and as many CFMs as you can afford.
...See More
Pop-up downdraft behind my slide-in stove.?
Q
Comments (24)
cfitz134, You will need two downdrafts for it to work on the sides of the units or you will only be able to effectively use the downdraft on the side that it is mounted. Gaggenau used to sell a side mounted downdraft that was well rated because it extended above the cooking surface directly. It was discontinued in the US and you would still need two of them. you may be able to find these on eBay. You will also lose considerable counter and cabinet space. Gaggenau VL 051 older model that swings into place. This the Gaggenau replacement (Vario Model VL414) for the older model but it fights the laws of physics. Good luck!
...See More
Pop-up Venting-good, bad, or ugly?
Q
Comments (9)
CR only tested 2 models, one rises 8 1/4", the other rises 9 1/2". This is just marginally more than the 7" rise height of my current 16 year old pop-up. There are a few pop-up models that rise 10" and 14" and supposedly a new one from Bosch rises 17". They sound good in theory and anecdotal feedback from fellow GWers bears that up. Unfortunately, until CR tests the taller rising units, it's hard to know for sure if that the extra height sufficiently offsets the downsides CR lists and merits the additional cost. That said, if we had stuck with a plan that called for a cooktop in our island, a tall rising downdraft was definitely high on the list to meet venting needs.
...See More
Pop-up downdraft broke my induction cooktop
Q
Comments (2)
I never had a problem with that issue. The installer didn't make an effort to anchor the units down either, but they both rested tightly in place. I would have expected filters to crumple until they crushed out of the way but I never had that happen. I did break our glass top, but it was due to horribly rusted/frozen screws. The glass top was far harder to clean than cheap regular metal top units and eventually became stained. I would never have another glass top and consider it a completely defective concept.
...See More
Buehl
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
We rented a place with a Dacor downdraft - supposedly one of the better ones out there - and I have to say that it was almost useless. It did not capture steam from a boiling pot nor anything at all from things on the front burners. To have a hope that anything will be captured, the pot/pan needs to be (1) right next to the downdraft and (2) shorter than the downdraft by a few inches.

It was very noisy.

There was raised seating behind it, but my DD was splattered with grease the downdraft couldn't capture, so I banned everyone from sitting at that counter!

The funny thing is that that summer we rented two places and b/w the two of them they had the things that are the most dysfunctional:

First rental:
- Dacor cooktop with wall oven mounted under the counter (horrible!)
- Dacor downdraft
- Tall obstacles b/w the cooktop and the sink -- on both sides of the Kitchen! One housed a built-in MW and the other dishes.
- DW in the Prep Zone
- Bar-height seating with only 12" overhang -- not nearly enough!
Second rental:
- OTR MW hood -- it was noisy, inefficient (it couldn't even vent steam out!), and a lousy MW. It was also an annoyance when someone needed to use it while someone else was cooking.
- Sink in the peninsula -- and dirty dishes on display for all to see! Also, dirty dishes in the face of anyone sitting at the counter.
- DW in Prep Zone
- Very narrow aisle b/w the perimeter (with the range) and the peninsula side -- I didn't measure (no measuring tape), but we had to scoot around to let people through
- Refrigerator on the wall deep inside the Kitchen -- drawing traffic into the work area.
I actually posted a thread about it that summer!

Sorry, I wandered off topic. But, it shows you that I speak from experience when I discuss these issues -- it's not "book knowledge".

Related Stories

ARCHITECTURE Superb Family Homes Pop Up in Forgotten Urban Spaces

By Lunchbox Architect

Take a look at how these innovative houses take advantage of underused spaces and improve their cities in the process

CEILINGS Things Are Looking Up: 10 Ideas for Decorating Your Ceiling

By Orlov Design Co.

Whether you wrap it in silver leaf or stencil on your favorite design, your ceiling is ready for its close-up

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Modern Conveniences and a Timeless Look

By Mary Jo Bowling

A 1700s Pennsylvania kitchen is brought up to date, while custom cabinets and rustic finishes help preserve its old-time charm

KITCHEN DESIGN 5 Great-Looking Galley Kitchens That Really Cook

By Becky Harris

See how designers make these narrow spaces work for their owners

HOUZZ TV Kitchen Opens Up for a Wheelchair, and a Chef Is Born

By Mitchell Parker

A narrow layout impeded Kathy Stice’s cooking ability. A remodel opened up the space for her to use

DECORATING GUIDES Why White Is the Ultimate Pop of Color

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Forget bursts of orange or splashes of turquoise. Pure white can break up patterns, soften bold decor and a whole lot more

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: White, Wood and Blue Perk Up Tudor Style

By Jeannie Matteucci

Design details that fit this Seattle home’s traditional look mix with modern upgrades and personalized storage solutions

LIGHTING House Hunting? Look Carefully at the Light

By Alison Hodgson

Consider windows, skylights and the sun in any potential home, lest you end up facing down the dark

COLOR Orange You Glad This Doesn’t Look Halloween-y?

By Gwendolyn Purdom

Pops of orange don’t have to stop once trick-or-treating does. Here are some ways to make the bold color work anytime

LAUNDRY ROOMS Soak Up Ideas From 3 Smart Laundry Rooms

By Mitchell Parker

We look at the designers’ secrets, ‘uh-oh’ moments and nitty-gritty details of 3 great laundry rooms uploaded to Houzz this week

Sponsored

Remodel Repair Construction

9 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Westerville

More Discussions

contractor chooses kitchen

33

Custom color for cabinets - your experience

1

help with counter/backsplash decision

13

Adding prep sink; single or double for cleanup?

1

Small kitchen with angled wall

4