Pop-Up Downdraft Vents

Often, the most practical way to vent an island or peninsula cooktop is with a downdraft vent. Downdraft vents that have intakes flush with the surface of the burners have been built into ranges and cooktops for years, but several manufacturers now make pop-up units that can be installed behind virtually any drop-in cooktop. Some are also made to fit behind drop-in ranges, and at least one manufacturer makes a line of cooking appliances with built-in pop-up ventilators. Features differ from manufacturer to manufacturer (see “Pop-Up Vent Specs and Features,” facing page), but the main idea is the same. A narrow intake housing, usually located at the rear of the cooktop and matching its width, sits flush with the