How do I choose a downdraft vent?

Height - Check the height of your pots and pans before purchasing a downdraft vent. Whatever is released into the air above the level of the pop-up vent will be more likely to stay in the air, so you want to find a vent that is a few inches taller than the tallest pot.

Do downdraft vents work well?

In general, downdraft ranges get a lot of complaints because it's impossible for a downdraft's airflow to be as effective as traditional ventilation. For one thing, they can't move much air without extinguishing gas burners. As it stands, customers often complain of flickering flames when the fan is on.

How much CFM do I need for downdraft vent?

At a bare minimum most building codes require 400 CFM when you're cooking with gas, and if you cook with a lot of oils then you'll need to add an additional 100 CFM to ensure you have enough ventilation to draw the grease from the air.

How well do downdraft ranges work?

Limited Effectiveness

Because of their design, downdraft vents work harder than updraft systems to remove air, and are usually ineffective at drawing steam, odors and smoke from burners that are farthest away, and from tall stockpots.

Do you really need a downdraft?

The first obvious benefit of having a downdraft range or cooktop is that you no longer need to install a hood above the stove. This not only frees up space for more cabinetry and storage, but allows you freedom of placement—especially with a cooktop.

All about Downdraft ventilation

Where does a downdraft range vent to?

The important and characteristic difference, however, is that downdraft vents are located behind the cooktop, rather than above it. They pull the air horizontally away from the cooktop, and the vents send the collected contaminated air to be filtered down below the countertop.

Can you add a downdraft to a cooktop?

Downdraft designs are compatible with gas, electric, and induction cooktops, and require space behind or at the side of the burners for insertion, which is why they work especially well on islands and peninsulas.

What is a downdraft range?

A downdraft range or cooktop integrates the ventilation system directly into the cooking surface, eliminating the need for an overhead vent. These systems help capture smoke, steam, grease particles and odors at the cooking surface, pulling them down and out of the kitchen before they can escape into the air.

Is 400 CFM good enough?

But if the size of your duct matches your ventilation power, your kitchen exhaust fan will do its job properly and quietly. A good rule of thumb for estimating duct diameter and CFM requirements is: 400 to 600 CFM = 6” to 8” duct.

How many CFM do I need?

The rule of thumb is that you need at least 1 CFM per square foot of room area. To determine the square footage of your bathroom, multiply the length times the width. For example, if your bathroom is six feet wide and nine feet long, its square footage is 54. Therefore, it should have a fan rated for at least 54 ​CFM.

Does a downdraft stove need to be vented to the outside?

Downdraft ranges have built-in vents between the burners, and suck smoke and steam through an exhaust pipe or filtration system. That means they don't need an external vent hood—a trait that makes them popular in open kitchens, and kitchens with cathedral ceilings.

How much does it cost to install a downdraft vent?

Downdraft range hoods pop up vertically behind your stove and usually cost $1,500 to $3,000 for materials and labor.

Do you need a vent above a cooktop?

The truth is that you should consider a vent for your electric stove. Even if you cook one or two times a week, a vent hood can be beneficial for you. It will clean your indoor air and improve your indoor air quality. For electric stoves, we recommend a range hood of at least 600 CFM.

How much space is needed for a downdraft vent?

IMPORTANT NOTE: To incorporate a downdraft system and a Wolf cooktop, you must allow for a minimum 25- 1/8" (638 mm) flat counter space from front to back. A countertop with a raised lip and/or backsplash may not allow enough space for proper installation.

Do I need a downdraft on my gas cooktop?

Yes, but it's not as efficient as a hood over your range. Downdraft hoods pull the air down before moving it to the outside of your home. They use more power and have to fight the rising cooking fumes to get them to evacuate.

Does anyone make a downdraft induction range?

If you have an induction cooktop already, you can add a downdraft. Most models have the option for both a hood (updraft) or downdraft ventilation systems.

Does an island cooktop need a vent?

Island cooktops do not need to vented and exhausted unless required by local building codes. The location and design of kitchens in high rise residential buildings often make it impossible to vent and exhaust kitchen cook tops.

How do you vent a range without a hood?

How many CFM do I need for a 12x12 room?

One cfm per square foot of floor area is the average air quantity required for a room or entire building.