# Downdraft Cooktops in Kitchens

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downdraft-cooktops-in-kitchens/247220>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 26, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downdraft-cooktops-in-kitchens/247220 "2004-05-26T18:49:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mbelly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@mbelly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbelly)\
**Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downdraft-cooktops-in-kitchens/247220/1 "2004-05-26T18:49:42Z")

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I have a 1700 sq foot apartment and I am putting in a new kitchen. Can I install a downdraft cooktop without a microwave above it (for venting) or a hood above it?

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**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\
**Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downdraft-cooktops-in-kitchens/247220/2 "2004-05-26T20:04:13Z")

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A downdraft cooktop, Jennaire for example, vent by pulling air down into the unit. So a vent above would be counterproductive as the two airstreams would be interfearing with each other.