How to Make a Downdraft Cooktop More Efficient
The downdraft vent on your kitchen's cook top eliminates food odors and smoke while cooking, and requires regular maintenance to ensure both the cook top and downdraft are operating as efficiently as possible. Speed configuration, cleaning and cook top care are all helpful ways to keep your cook top's performance at its highest capability and extend the life of the appliance. In addition to caring for your cook top, have your gas supply line checked annually to verify there are no leaks or blockage. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
-
1
Turn the downdraft vent's control knob on while cooking. Leave the vent on for at least five to 10 minutes after cooking to remove food odors or smoke from the area. The level of the vent's fan speed depends on the amount of smoke produced while cooking and the food's pungency.
-
2
Lower the vent's speed when the cook top's flames are diminished during the cooking process. A low flame in combination with a high vent speed disrupts the cook top's ability to properly heat the cookware.
-
-
3
Clean the vent filter every week or two. Routine cleaning with hot water and a little dish soap keeps the vent free of accumulated food oils, dust and debris. The vent filter is beneath the grille on top of the cook top, and can be cleaned under hot running water.
-
4
Wash burner heads in the sink with hot, soapy water to keep them free of burned on food and spilled liquids. The burner heads are removable by pulling the grate and burner head off when they have cooled off after use. Wipe off excess water with a soft cloth and set them back on the cook top to resume use.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Do not attempt to remove the cook top's grates or burner heads immediately after cooking, as the burner heads and grates are extremely hot and can cause burns.
Always dry the vent filter with a soft, lint-free cloth after cleaning it before inserting it back into the cook top's vent filter compartment.
