How a Jenn-Air downdraft cooktop works

A Jenn-Air downdraft cooktop has a built-in fan that pulls smoke, steam, and cooking odors down through a vent at the cooktop surface, instead of up into a range hood. The vent either sends the air outside through a duct, or filters it and returns it to the kitchen.

This guide explains the parts of the system, how to use and clean it, and what to check when it stops working. Bonita Appliance Repair has repaired cooktops in San Diego County since 2012. See Jenn-Air appliance repair for our Jenn-Air services.

The system has four main parts.

• The vent: an opening at the surface, which can be a raised vent or a vent that rises when you turn it on
• The fan, or blower: a motor that pulls air through the vent
• The filters: grease filters that catch grease from the air, and in some systems a charcoal filter that removes odors
• The ducting: a duct that carries the air outside, or a recirculating path that returns filtered air to the room

Air moves from the cooking area to the vent, through the filters, and then out through the duct or back into the kitchen. Your owner’s manual shows whether your cooktop vents outside or recirculates.

1. Turn on the downdraft fan before you start cooking. On some models, the vent rises when you turn it on.
2. Select a fan speed. Use a higher speed for frying and searing, and a lower speed for simmering.
3. Cook on the burners or elements nearest the vent when you can, because the vent captures air most effectively close to it.
4. Leave the fan on for a few minutes after you finish cooking.
5. Turn off the fan, and lower the vent if your model has a rising vent.

A downdraft vent works best with low pots and pans. Tall pots can block the air flow, so use a higher fan speed or cover the pot.

Grease builds up in the filters and slows the air flow. Clean them on the schedule in your manual. Clean them more often if you fry or sear food regularly.

1. Turn off the fan and let the cooktop cool.
2. Remove the vent cover and the grease filters, following your manual.
3. Soak the grease filters in hot, soapy water, and scrub off the grease.
4. Rinse the filters, let them dry fully, and reinstall them.

Replace a charcoal filter if your model has one and the manual calls for it. You cannot wash a charcoal filter.

• Weak air flow: check for dirty grease filters and a blocked duct or exterior vent cap
• No fan: check the circuit breaker, and check that the fan control is set correctly
• Noise: a rattle or whine can mean a loose part, a failing fan motor, or debris in the blower
• A vent that does not rise or lower: the vent motor or the control may have failed

Turn off the fan, and call a technician if you smell burning or see smoke from the unit.

Call a technician if cleaning the filters does not restore the air flow, if the fan or the rising vent does not work, or if you notice burning smells or unusual noise. The downdraft assembly sits below the cooktop and connects to the wiring, so a technician should open it. A technician gives you the price before any work begins. See cooktop repair for the services we offer.