Installing a Downdraft Cooktop

Measure the size of the area where the downdraft cooktop will be placed. Choose an area without any gas or electrical connections on the back wall where the cooktop will be placed (they could disrupt the downdraft). The electrical or gas connections can be on the sides. Buy a cooktop that will fit this space.

Place the cooktop onto the counter. Push it back toward the wall until there is as little as a .05-inch opening. There are four brackets that will help fasten the cooktop and downdraft to the counter. There are two on the downdraft (which sits up near the wall) that will come down underneath the counter and two on the sides of the cooktop to connect to the counter. These will need to be screwed into the cabinet from underneath.

Add two additional plywood brackets. These leveling brackets most of the time do not come with the cooktop. Measure from the top of the counter to the bottom. That will be length needed for the two brackets. Place one on each side under the downdraft and screw them into the wall. This will help brace the downdraft and keep it level.

Connect the control module. Drill three holes into the cabinet near the backdraft where the control module will be. It will have three thumb nuts that the three screws will need to engage. Go underneath the counter to finish them by hand (simply twist them together). This will keep control module in place.

Use caulking around the opening of the control module. If there are any openings from the counter to the control module, you will need to caulk them so that any liquids that drip through will not effect the wiring.

Plug the cooktop downdraft into its electrical connection to the side of the counter for it to start.