How to Replace a Down-Vent Cooktop

Disconnect the power cord for the existing cooktop from the outlet inside the cabinets or island, depending on your installation location.

Remove the screws holding the mounting brackets on the left and right sides below the cooktop. Take out the screws along the front and back edges to remove the retainer bar along each edge.

Extract the screws holding the vent inside the cabinet to the vent pipe under the cooktop.

Push upward on the underside of the appliance to raise the surface so you can get a grip on the edges. Lift and remove the old appliance with help from your assistant.

Clean the counter surface around the mounting hole with a putty knife, liqiud soap and paper towels to remove the old foam gasket, as well as grease and dirt.

Pull off the paper backing on the foam gasket supplied with the new appliance. Press the gasket onto the surface around the four edges of the mounting hole.

Ease the new appliance into the mounting hole with help from your assistant. The power cord must insert into the mounting hole. Lower the new cooktop in place while a second assistant checks underneath the cabinet or island to confirm that the cooktop's down vent aligns with and fits inside the existing vent. It may be necessary to pull the vent forward gently or push back to get the two sections to fit.

Secure the cooktop's down vent to the existing vent with screws.

Align a retainer bar over the row of holes on the rear bottom edge of the cooktop, and lock it in place with the supplied screws and washers. Repeat for the retainer bar along the front edge.

Tighten screws through the mounting bracket on the left and right sides of the cooktop bottom to finish locking the appliance in place.

Plug the power cord into the receptacle below the new cooktop, inside the cabinets or island.