KitchenAid 30" Retractable Downdraft System with Interior Blower Motor Use & Care Manual

The retractable downdraft vent system is designed to remove 

smoke, cooking vapors, and odors from the cooktop area.

 

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For best results, the vent should be operating before cooking 

is started.

 

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If you use large or tall utensils, place them on the large rear 

element or burner surface.

 

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A higher heat setting than normally used may be needed 

when the downdraft vent is operating.

 

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For gas cooktops, the downdraft vent system may affect 

the flame stability and cooking performance. To improve 

the burner performance, either decrease the downdraft vent 

blower speed or increase the cooktop burner flame setting.

 

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For gas cooktops with flame-sensing ignitions, the downdraft 

vent system may disperse the flame away from the spark 

igniter and may cause it to continually spark while trying to 

reignite a burner that is already lit. To resolve the issue of the 

cooktop igniter continuously sparking, either decrease the 

downdraft vent blower speed or increase the cooktop flame 

setting for that burner.

1.  Push and hold the button on top of downdraft vent for a few 

seconds. (This slight delay helps avoid unintentional raising 

of the vent during cleaning of the cooktop area.) Retractable 

section of downdraft vent will rise. Blower will begin to vent 

immediately if blower control knob slider is set to an On 

position.

2.  Slide the control slider on the right-hand side of the 

downdraft vent to adjust the blower motor speed.

1.  Push the button on top of the retractable downdraft vent. 

The blower will turn off and the retractable section of the 

vent will return to the closed position.

NOTE: If a spill occurs on the cooktop that allows liquids to seep 

inside the downdraft vent, you must turn the downdraft vent off 

immediately. It is possible to cause damage to the downdraft 

vent if water is allowed inside the downdraft vent while it is 

operating.
2.  Immediately turn off the downdraft vent at the speed control 

located on the right-hand side of the downdraft vent.

3.  Turn off the power supply to the downdraft vent at the circuit 

breaker box or fuse box.

4.  Allow plenty of time for the downdraft vent to dry naturally. 

Do not open the downdraft vent to remove the water.

To avoid damaging the finish, clean downdraft vent with soap 

and water. Do not use scouring powder or abrasive solutions.

To avoid damage to the exterior surface, do not use steel wool 

or soap-filled scouring pads.
Always wipe dry to avoid water marks.

 

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Liquid detergent soap and water or all-purpose cleanser.

 

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Wipe with damp soft cloth or nonabrasive sponge, and then 

rinse with clean water and wipe dry.

NOTE: To avoid damage, do not soak cloth or sponge.

Frequently remove and clean the filter(s) in the retractable section 

of the downdraft vent. This will improve the operating efficiency of 

the downdraft vent system.

1.  Remove each filter by pulling the spring release handle and 

then pulling down the filter.

2.  Wash metal filters as needed in dishwasher or hot detergent 

solution.

3.  Reinstall the filter by making sure the spring release handles 

are toward the front. Insert metal grease filter into upper 

track.

4.  Pull the spring release handle down.
5.  Push up on metal filter and release handle to latch into place.
6.  Repeat steps 1-5 for the other filter.

1.  Remove the filter(s) and clean them in a dishwasher or in a 

hot detergent solution. The downdraft vent will not operate 

when the filters are not in place.

2.  Dry the clean filter(s) and reinstall, making sure that they lock 

into place.

Push the filter in as far as it will go. When the filter is removed, 

the microswitch behind the filter is deactivated. This feature will 

not allow the vent system to operate until the filter is properly 

installed.