If you can't repair/replace your vent motor(?), the next cheapest solution may be to get a new model Jenn Air cooktop, including a downdraft vent. I believe Jenn Air still makes these. One difficulty with other downdraft vents is that they are placed just outside the perimeter of the cooktop, rather than within the cooktop (as in your photo). A vent's efficiency deteriorates sharply the farther away suction is from the effluent source, so vents set beside a cooktop tend to work best for the one or two hobs closest to them. The best solution may be a vent that sits directly above the cooktop, but obviously this is more expensive. Moving the cooktop to an exterior wall adds other expenses, but may simplify exhausting the vapors. In general, venting from a corner (or a wall) works better than from the middle of a room, as you have things now. Of course, what and how you cook, and your local ordinance regulation, may also influence your decisions here.

Writersblock: Yes, it is the Samsung duo oven and I would be happy to write a review once I get a chance to break it in. Joaniepoanie: You're right that the metal filler supplied by Samsung would not show much. It would be a last resort. I've been looking at it for a few days now and it does kind of bother me so I was just doing some research on potential solutions. sjhockeyfan: I have asked the counter people and they'll get back to me. If i were to get a section to put behind the range, would I need to take out the ceramic backsplash first? or could i just attach the section directly to the ceramic? Sorry for the newb question - this is my first home.

Please keep in mind that just b/c you see other kitchens with something, it doesn't mean it's a good design. There are so many poorly designed kitchens out there! Even magazines show kitchens that look nice, but all too often they're a functional nightmare! Pretty pictures sell magazines, not functional discussions! The picture you posted at 20:35 looks like it might be safe enough b/c it looks like there's at least 24" all around the cooktop. As to venting, though, it's sadly lacking. The picture you posted at 20:38, on the other hand, is very poorly designed - both for safety and functionality. That cooktop would have been torn out b/f I moved in if that were my kitchen! Telescoping (retractable) downdrafts are still downdrafts. They work against gravity. Think about it, fumes, smoke, steam, grease, odors, etc. rise, they do not fall (well, large grease splatters do eventually if the don't land on something first - but a fine mist of grease will rise pretty far). To have any hope of working, downdrafts (even telescoping) need to be very strong and the pot/pan must be right up next to it and shorter than the top of the fan by a few inches. If you're OK with the consequences of inadequate ventilation (gunk that forms on ceilings, walls, cabinets - grease/steam settle on surfaces and then dust/dirt/other particles settle on the grease/damp surface and form a layer of gunk), then that's your decision. Just be sure you make an informed/educated decision. It's your kitchen, after all. Good luck!

Some brands (like Bosch) are full depth and do not require the strip in the back. (I had to remove mine). In addition, different brands have different height ranges. In my case, again, it was an issue since my counters are lower than standard due to new hard wood flooring added on top of the existing floor. My suggestion is that you first narrow down which ones you like, and then carefully look at the installation manuals. AJmadison have them and are easy to download. I had narrowed it between Bosch and Samsung but only Bosch worked (barely!) with the height of my counters.