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Most Powerful Downdrafts for 2022 (Reviews / Problems)

January 4th, 2022 | 5 min. read

By Steve Sheinkopf

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most powerful downdrafts
 

I think I know why you are here.

You have planned a center island with a high-powered range and want a powerful downdraft to vent it.

It's good thinking to have a high CFM exhaust for high output cooking.

Perhaps, you have seen this in a magazine and like placing your cooking appliances in the middle of your kitchen.

In this article, I will show you the highest CFM downdrafts currently on the market.

Photo by Sustainable Home

Then you will learn why none of these will work properly.

As a bonus, I will show you some better options and some ideas for your kitchen.

Small note here: Although I am not a fan of downdrafts, it is better than nothing.

Like this inexplicably designed yet nicely styled kitchen with no ventilation (shown below).

Photo by Bob Chatham Custom Home Design 

Use this article to discover what is best for what you need. Hopefully, you can redesign your kitchen before adding a downdraft.

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How to Buy a Downdraft

Best-downdraft-with-induction-cooktopDowndraft Paired With an Induction Cooktop

 

You can buy downdrafts from 370 CFM to 1500 CFM.

Downdrafts are a separate item in the back of your cooktop or (heaven forbid) your range. You typically buy them as one piece from 370-600 CFM.

For downdrafts over 600, you buy the blowers and intakes, the part that pops up and down, separately.

The blowers can be mounted in the cabinet, inline, or in the duct pipe away from your stove for less noise or outside your house.

I am not a fan of inline fans in case you need access for repair. Having access to the fan is a must.

That's almost every downdraft.

JennAir has its own integral to the counter that doesn't pop up, and so does Gaggenau, but it's part of the overall design of the cooktop.

JennAir-30--JX3-Gas-Downdraft-CooktopJennAir 30" JX3 Gas Downdraft Cooktop

The downdraft on these is in the middle.

Most Powerful Downdrafts for 2021

BEST by Broan 30-Inch Downdraft D49M30SB - $1,751

Pair it with an EB15 Blower 1,500 CFM

BEST-by-Brown-Downdraft-D49M30SB

BEST was the first to design a downdraft for a freestanding range and even a professional range by placing the blower in an adjacent cabinet.

Best Cattura Downdraft - Kitchen-1BEST by Brown Cattura Downdraft

 

BEST's downdraft is also available in 36 and 48-inch sizes. You should pair it with an EB15 Blower 1500 CFM.

Overall, this downdraft has decent features and specifications.

Features:

  • 18-inch max height (Ostensibly to catch more steam and grease).
  • Type 304 steel
  • Anti-vibration guards
  • Choice of inline, outside, and inside blowers (Not that it matters).

Thermador Masterpiece® Series 36-inch Downdraft UCVM36XS - $1,799

Pair it with the VTR1330 1300 CFM outside blower

THERMADOR-UCVM36XS

Thermador is the original downdraft company. Its downdraft rises 14 inches to cover large pots and provides 1300 CFM.

Thermador's downdraft is the only unit with a recirculating option (which is nothing to brag about. It's even less effective).

Thermador claims the UCVM36XS downdraft's 14-inch intake "protects against splatters when cooking and provides better performance in capturing steam and smoke even from the front burners. "

I don't think so.

According to Thermador, this downdraft's full-face filters maximize grease capture without affecting airflow.

However, does it really maximize grease capture? Certainly not. You will find out about that in a bit.

Features:

  • Choose from five options of remote, inline, or integrated blowers. All equally ineffective if you cook a lot.
  • Silent drive system
  • Three power levels offer a full range of ventilation options
  • Easy-to-use controls

JennAir 36" Accolade™ Downdraft Ventilation System JXD7836BS - $8499

JennAir-36-Downdraft-Ventilation-System-JXD7836BS

For 1,200 CFM, $8499 is a bit expensive as an overstatement.

It is nice looking, but is style really important?

The answer is probably not, as downdrafts are hidden when retracted.

JennAir imports their downdraft from Italy. It is a beautiful, stylish piece but is also over $8499.

It rises 19 inches claiming to "ventilate cooking vapors from all types of cookware effectively from shallow sauté pans to tall stockpot." That is doubtful.

JennAir says its 1,200 CFM high-performance blower "provides exceptionally powerful ventilation that's designed to accommodate high heat from every type of cooktop and capture even the most persistent cooking odors."

But it cannot. You will find out why later.

The downdraft has aluminum mesh filters, a stainless-steel frame and is dishwasher safe, making it easier to clean. This also helps to keep your ductwork clean and maintains proper ventilation.

With JennAir's Magnetic Filter Lock, your downdraft uses a quieter system by locking the filter tightly against the seal.

Features: 

  • 19-Inch Rise
  • 1,200-CFM High-Performance Blower (Sold Separately)
  • Dishwasher-Safe Aluminum Mesh Filters, with Stainless Steel Frame
  • Ambient LED Lighting
  • Three Exhaust Positions
  • Remote Control
  • 4 Fan Speed Settings
  • Timed Blower Off
  • Automatic Shutoff When Retracted
  • Status and Fan Speed Indicator Lights
  • Clean Filter Indicator Light

Why Downdrafts Are Not Effective: Ventilation Basics

First, to understand why downdrafts are the last choice replacements only, let me show you the ventilation basics.

Ventilation is divided into equal parts.

  • CFM: CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. It's how many cubes of airflow through the vent in one minute. Downdrafts can vent quite a bit at 1500 CFM max. That is one small room of air per minute, every minute.
  • Capture: Smoke is not expelled immediately after reaching your vent. It is captured, then vented. It's why you see huge hoods in the middle of restaurant kitchens. Capture is best defined by the height, width, and depth of your hood. Downdrafts have zero capture area (a 2-inch slit) and will not effectively cook higher output.
  • Duct Run: The best ducting follows gravity and where the smoke is naturally headed. So straight up is best. Short horizontal runs of the straight back are ok as well. Downdrafts, however, direct the smoke down against gravity and then transition with an elbow reducing static flow. Most downdrafts are longer runs as well.
  • Duct Size: Duct size was more of an issue years ago when contractors were using dryer ducting. Typically 8-10 rounds are adequate for any vent.

So you now know downdrafts will be a challenge, especially if you wok, grill, griddle, or fry. They will work better with induction or electric cooktops.

Downdraft Alternatives

Overhead Hoods

Overhead hoods have the proper capture area and can be placed over a range and rangetop.

You do not want to vent a long way, but an overhead hood is way better than a downdraft.

Island hoods were poorly designed when I started back in 1986. The Europeans changed that. BEST, Zephyr, and Faber manufacture beautiful hoods in several different sizes.

You can even design your hood. Just buy a liner, the controls, and the blowers. If it sounds hard, it's not.

Kitchen Design

Photo by Maine Coast Homes

You probably saw this in a magazine. It looks good in a magazine. You do not have your sightlines obscured by a hood.

You can also entertain your guests by cooking while sitting on the other side of the island.

But think about that.

The downdrafts all promote themselves as splash guards for grease. If you cook, especially high-volume cooking, grease will splatter everywhere.

Is that entertaining? Maybe so, but probably not.

From a kitchen design standpoint, you should follow a classic tenet.

Never be one step from the most used appliances in your kitchen, namely your sink, refrigerator, and rangetop.

We used to call it the kitchen triangle.

With that in mind, the best appliance to place on your island is your sink, not your cooking.

You use it the most. Seriously.

You can even place an entertainment sink like the Galley in the middle and have every possible accessory to entertain.

Most Powerful Downdrafts: Key Takeaways

Full-Kitchen-with-TV-in-Hood-1My Sister's Well Designed Kitchen

 

Downdrafts seem like a good idea but are the by-products of a poorly designed kitchen or as a last resort option only, like a replacement.

Stoves should be against the wall with short duct runs to maximize the effectiveness of your vent.

If you have to place your cooking in the middle, consider an overhead vent with good CFM for better capture.

You should also consider another design with the sink in the middle. I have mine in the middle, BTW.

However, your key takeaway is that high CFM downdrafts will not help vent if you like to cook.

You can learn much more by downloading our Ventilation Buyers Guide with tips and how to vent properly.

Additional Resources

Download the Yale Ventilation Buyers Guide with features, specs, and inside tips on how to plan for any type of hood. Over 900,000 people have read a Yale Hood.

 

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Steve Sheinkopf

Steve Sheinkopf is the third-generation CEO of Yale Appliance and a lifelong Bostonian. He has over 38 years of experience in the appliance industry, and he is a trusted source of information for consumers on how to buy and repair appliances.

Steve has also been featured in numerous publications, including the New York Times, Consumer Reports, The Boston Globe, Bloomberg Radio, the New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Entrepreneur, for his knowledge of how to buy appliances and appliance repair.

Steve is passionate about helping consumers find the best appliances for their needs, and he is always happy to answer questions and provide advice. He is a valuable resource for consumers who are looking for information on appliance buying, repair, and maintenance.

Despite being the worst goalie in history, Steve is a fan of the Bruins and college hockey, loves to read, and is a Peloton biker. The love of his life is his daughter, Sophie.

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