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I have found sears parts direct has just about any part for an appliance. I have ordered glass shelves for a fridge before. It's not rocket science if you are handy you can probably repair it for a fraction of the cost of a service guy. I really only mention this since you bring up it costing a lot.
Thanks all, this is very helpful. I agree that overhead ventilation would be ideal, but this is an island with fairly tall ceilings so it would be super-awkward to have that in the current setup. Beyond a recently broken cooktop, the kitchen is otherwise quite nice and new so its definitely not something a buyer would gut. And to clarify - we are in far N Durham (Treyburn), so nowhere near as in-demand as other parts of the city. This section seems to be doing better as Durham as a whole has taken off, but things do tend to sit longer and without the premiums commanded in S Durham or downtown.
I think we're just going to bite the bullet and pay for the new downdraft since it seems likely to come up now or later esp. as it "may" be an inspection item here (which I didn't realize).
Downdraft isn’t ideal but they can work pretty well. Sometimes too well as I’ve seen a few that will seriously pull the flames when on high and easily blow them out when the burners are turned down.
The best kind have a pop-up section in the back which raises the intake point up closer to the tops of pots. Still not quite as good as a hood over the range but better than surface intake and far less likely to blow the flame out.
I have found sears parts direct has just about any part for an appliance. I have ordered glass shelves for a fridge before. It's not rocket science if you are handy you can probably repair it for a fraction of the cost of a service guy. I really only mention this since you bring up it costing a lot.
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Use the part number and search around. Also it helps to look up blow ups for your appliance, as often times the part will have multiple brands it's made under. I bought a new skin for my dishwasher, it was $150+ on Sears (we bought from Sears) but $90 or so from an online appliance store. Dishwasher was a "Kenmore" brand but the skin came with a KitchenAid emblem on it.
I just recently replaced a magnetron for my undercabinet microwave, $35 on eBay, Sears was $85.
Thank you for asking this question. I thought I was the only one with this problem! Ours had a downdraft on a island going into the crawl space. It will be very expensive to add a vent above and tear up the ceiling!
Sears was actually where we were looking...the expense is unfortunately the part and not the labor or I might try it myself (despite not being remotely handy). Sears wants $1600 for the part. Brand new cooktop is $1720. And no, there isn't an attached oven that is just the cooktop.
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