At a Glance
Best Electric Cooktops for Your Kitchen
Why Trust John’s Appliance & Bedding?
Every kitchen needs good ventilation to remove smoke, steam, grease, and toxins from the air created by cooking on the range. These pollutants can accumulate without proper ventilation, leading to an unpleasant environment and potentially impacting indoor air quality.
While traditional hood vents are the most popular venting method, more and more homeowners are discovering the downdraft cooktop, eliminating the need for a hood.
In today’s blog, we explore the benefits of switching to a downdraft option and highlight some top-rated cooktops that customers love.
Explore Downdraft Cooktops
Enhance your kitchen with the latest in downdraft cooktop technology, available at John's Appliance & Bedding. Visit us online or in-store to discover the best downdraft cooktops.
Shop CooktopsWhat is a Downdraft Cooktop?
A downdraft cooktop is a cooktop surface with built-in ventilation that pulls grease, steam, smoke, and cooking odors down into the vent before they leave the cooking area.
Downdraft cooktops take up way less space and allow flexibility for positioning your cooktop, so they are becoming more popular as homeowners design kitchens to suit their needs.
Types of Downdraft Cooktops
Cooktops come in a few different variants and fortunately, downdraft cooktop models are available with each option, including:
- Induction Downdraft Cooktop: Chef-favorite induction cooktops use electromagnetic fields to heat pans directly for better efficiency. They are also available with built-in downdraft.
- Electric Downdraft Cooktop: Affordable and user-friendly, electric cooktops allow you to select the perfect spot for cooking in your kitchen without being attached to your oven. Built-in downdraft makes an electric cooktop even more convenient, with no hood required.
- Gas Cooktop with Downdraft: Popular for its instant heat and professional style, gas cooktops with a built-in downdraft can quickly deal with smoke and smells, keeping your kitchen clean and fresh.
- Duct-free Convertible Downdrafts: Available with all cooktop fuels and styles, some downdraft cooktops take convenience one step further by offering conversion to duct-free ventilation. These advanced filtration systems clean and re-circulate air inside the home and do not need to be vented outside.
Induction Cooktop With Downdraft
Induction cooktops produce intense heat very quickly. As they create an electromagnetic field and transfer heat to your cookware, you can expect steam, smoke, and cooking odors from the moment you start cooking.
Induction cooktops with downdraft models feature a built-in venting system without an overhead hood. Designed to match the output of these powerful cooktops, downdraft venting prevents grease and steam from escaping into the wider kitchen area.
Gas Cooktops With Downdraft
Creating instant heat with a real flame and cooking with gas produces some delicious smells, but they are not always welcome the next morning. A gas cooktop with downdraft quickly sucks odors, steam, toxins, and grease away from the cooking area, leading to clean up easier and a fresher environment the next day.
➝ Learn More: Bosch Induction Cooktop Review
Our Favorite Gas Cooktops
For some cooks, gas cooktop stoves offer a unique style and cooking experience. Below, we highlight some gas cooktop stoves with downdraft options to keep your kitchen in great shape.
KitchenAid 30” Stainless Steel Gas Downdraft Cooktop
Model #: (KCGD500GSS)
Shop KitchenAid 30" Gas Downdraft Cooktop
A brand with a reputation for high-quality, a KitchenAid gas downdraft cooktop is an excellent investment in your kitchen. Using a central, built-in downdraft system with 3 speed fan control, this downdraft cooktop can keep up with high intensity cooking.
The cooktop can be converted to a duct-free venting system for maximum flexibility, effortlessly transforming your kitchen island into a versatile cooking surface.
The EvenHeat™ burners deliver consistent heat for slow simmering without any hot spots, ensuring your dishes are perfectly cooked. Additionally, this reliable cooktop includes:
- Easy-to-clean sealed burners
- Stylish, matte finish grates
- Specialized melt cap for very gentle heat
⭐Featured KitchenAid #KCGD500GSS Review:
"My new stove top works great. Heats very well and stove top is easy to clean Very happy with my purchase"
JennAir 36” Stainless Steel Natural Gas Downdraft Cooktop
Model #: (JGD3536GS)
Shop JennAir 36" Gas Downdraft Cooktop
A luxury option from an innovative brand, this JennAir gas downdraft cooktop offers superior performance and an intuitive design.
This cooking surface is built to last, and it is coated with JennAir DuraFinish protection to resist scratches, stains, and yellowing.
The downdraft cooktop is ADA-compliant for accessible premium cooking. Classic stainless steel knobs add to the user-friendly experience and the professional style, while this high-end cooktop also features:
- Brass burners for superior, direct heat transfer
- Continuous, cast iron grates for large cookware and sliding pans easily
- Hot surface indicator for safety
Electric Cooktop With Downdraft
The most affordable style of electric cooktop with downdraft, these advanced cooktops offer flexibility in your kitchen design while staying on-budget.
Some models use electric elements for heat, including built-in downdraft ventilation, which keeps your kitchen clean and odor-free. This style of downdraft cooktop elevates your cooking experience.
Best Electric Cooktops for Your Kitchen
Electric cooktops with downdraft ventilation are a great way to add flexibility to your kitchen design. Still, many customers love the flush style and convenience of electric cooktops even without downdraft.
Frigidaire Gallery 30” Black Electric Cooktop
Model #: (GCCE3049AS)
Shop Frigidaire Gallery 30'' Black Electric Cooktop
Using EvenTemp™ element technology to reduce hot and cold spots, the Frigidaire electric cooktop offers even, golden browning and consistent searing to up your cooking game. Backlit manual knobs are user-friendly and indicate when your burner is on for extra safety.
Expandable elements up to 12 inches can accommodate large cookware, while the keep-warm zone lets you take your pans away from the powerful heat when your dishes are perfectly cooked.
Featuring a glass cooktop for easy clean-up and elegant style, this popular cooktop also includes:
- Built-in installation for flush finish with your work surfaces
- ADA compliant design for accessible cooking
- Front controls to safely change heat settings without reaching over hot surfaces
⭐Featured Frigidaire #GCCE3049AS Review:
"After waiting almost 5 months for my cooktop to arrive I am very happy with my purchase. I was looking for one with the largest expandable element and this model fit the bill. It looks great and functions well."
➝ Learn More: Spice Up Your Kitchen Game with a THOR Cooktop
KitchenAid 30” Stainless Steel Electric Downdraft Cooktop
Model #: (KCED600GSS)
Shop KitchenAid 30" Electric Downdraft Cooktop
This premium KitchenAid cooktop, equipped with a central downdraft to effectively handle steam, grease, and odors, offers easy-to-use knob controls and a minimalist aesthetic. EvenHeat™ electric elements reduce hot spikes and cold spots for more precise cooking.
Three-speed fan control can handle high heat from a busy cooktop, and this downdraft cooktop can be converted to a duct-free design. The ceramic glass surface provides fast and easy clean-up, while this convenient cooktop also includes:
- Hot surface indicator light for safety
- Dual stacked burners for powerful heat
- Scratch resistant ceramic glass surface with CookShield
Downdraft Cooktop Buying Guide
A downdraft cooktop can change the design of your kitchen and your cooking experience, but each model offers different features. Consider your needs before selecting a cooktop, including:
- Fuel Source: While some homeowners have their choice of gas, electric, or induction cooktops, some customers are limited by gas availability in their area.
- Cooktop Size: A vital detail if you are replacing an old cooktop with an established cut-out is that the width of your new cooktop will need to match your old one. If cooktop design is new to your home, consider your family's frequency of use and size before deciding between 30-, 36-, and 40-inch models.
- Number of Burners: If you often have multiple dishes on the go at once, a cooktop with various burner sizes will be a good fit for your needs. For home cooks with large cookware, wide electric elements or edge-to-edge gas grates will allow you to cook easily.
- Brand: Your downdraft cooktop creates intense heat for great cooking results and deals with all kitchen nasties. However, selecting a reliable brand with a reputation for quality is an important factor for long-lasting results.
Upgrade Your Kitchen with a Stylish and Flexible Downdraft Cooktop
Enhance your kitchen's style and flexibility with a downdraft cooktop, eliminating the need for an overhead hood. The built-in downdraft efficiently removes smoke, steam, and odors, keeping the air free from unwanted toxins.
With electric, gas, and induction options available, John's can help you select the perfect model for your home. Matching our neighbors with their ideal appliances for over 40 years, explore one of our 4 locations to see how much you can save on your next premium cooktop.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about downdraft cooktops:
Can you get an induction cooktop with a downdraft?
A premium cooktop style due to its immediate direct heat transfer and energy efficiency, some luxury induction cooktops offer downdraft cooktop options, often at a premium price for serious home cooks.
Where do you vent a downdraft cooktop?
A downdraft cooktop offers flexible venting options. You can vent your cooktop outside through your wall, floor, or ceiling, whichever works best for your kitchen's layout. Some downdraft models even have kits available for ductless conversion, eliminating the need for outside venting.
Can you put a wall oven under a downdraft cooktop?
Some downdraft cooktop models are designed specifically for installation over a built-in wall oven. When you start shopping, let your sales expert know if you would like your downdraft cooktop to be compatible with your wall oven.
How much space is needed for a downdraft vent?
The average downdraft cooktop needs a cabinet depth of at least 24 inches, or 61cm, for safe and successful installation.
Why Trust John’s Appliance & Bedding?
Our family-owned and operated store started with a pick-up truck and a dream. When John Hinton Jr. first opened his storefront in 1972, he never envisioned that over the next 50 years, he would outgrow his flagship location and need to open several other locations. However, that’s just what he did.
Thanks to John and his team, John’s Appliance & Bedding has provided our customers with the best appliances, mattresses, and cabinet solutions in South Florida. We view our customers as an extension of our family and seek to provide the best service and expertise that we always have.
Shop Downdraft Cooktops at John’s Appliance & Bedding
At John’s Appliance & Bedding, we provide high-quality, name-brand products at the best possible price. Shop cooktops online or visit one of our four South Florida showrooms and experience world-class customer service. Our friendly product experts are always happy to help you find the best downdraft cooktop for your kitchen—whether you call us, use our online chat feature, or visit us in person.