Common kitchen feature in Indy area (Hamilton: house, new construction, living)

[ImmerLernen]

I know this is more of a "house" type question, but I'm hoping to get feedback from locals since this could have a geographical influence...

We're house-hunting mainly in Hamilton County. We're considering a house that has a cooktop with a down draft (as opposed to a hood over the cooktop/range that vents to the outside). We've never used one of these and don't know how well they work. Also, where does the "draft" go if it doesn't go outside? There's a basement below the kitchen, some of it finished living space.

Now that I'm kinda *tuned in* to how this particular kitchen is arranged, I'm noticing a lot of the kitchens we're seeing have either a down draft or a micro-hood that recirculates (again, does not vent to the outside).

Is this common? Is there some reason homes in the area are set up like this? Most of the homes we've looked at are late-1980's to maybe 2010, not brand new construction.

[MortonR]

Down draft cooktops, primarily made by the local manufacturer, Jenn-Air, are probably not as common as you might think. They're relatively expensive compared to a standard setup with a cooktop and range hood. Also, a range hood doesn't typically vent outdoors, it usually just blows the air out into the living space after pulling it through a metal screen for catching particulates.

I've owned both, and found the down draft ventilators to be quite effective but somewhat louder than a range hood. That being said, the question then begs as to how often to you need to use it?

If your cooktop is not a Jenn-Air, I can't comment as to the exit point of the blower. If it is a Jenn-Air, the outlet of the blower is ducted outside.

RM