Are you sure it's a drop in and not a slide in? There are barely any drop-in ranges being manufactured anymore.

If you need downdraft your options are extremely limited. There's KitchenAid/JennAir (same thing) which has a built-in downdraft and then there are the Dacor slide ins which are compatible with pop up downdrafts.

Since you listed downdraft, I'm assuming you don't already have an island hood. In that case, I'm surprised you put it at the bottom of your list, since ventilation is very important! Does your current Thermador have downdraft?

I'm pretty sure it's a drop-in; that's what it says on the manual. It is 14 years old. Maybe they were more common then. Will it be a problem to replace it with a slide-in? (I'm not even 100% clear on the difference.)

So change that to my #1 criterion: must fit in the space in the island, which has a granite countertop I don't want to replace.

Yes, it does have a downdraft. I don't have to have to have to have a downdraft in my next stove, because (I hope) I can do what I did in my last house, which worked great (although it's probably not up to code): just put a good exhaust fan in the ceiling. There's no second story there and the roof is flat. The downdraft doesn't work so well, although I think that has more to do with what's outside than the stove. I don't want to put in a hanging hood.

Could you post a picture of your installation just so we're clear on what you have? There are no longer any drop-in dual fuel ranges being manufactured. Only electric. A drop in range sits on top of cabinetry. A slide in range sits directly on the floor and, underneath the oven, will have either a storage/warming/baking drawer, or a compartment to house downdraft components.

So, if you actually do have a drop-in, you would either have to replace with an electric range, or change your cabinetry to accommodate a dual fuel slide in.

An exhaust fan directly above the range is a fire hazard, because unlike a hood there is no filtration of the air. Grease will build up in the duct. An island hood is the best option. Downdraft isn't very effective but it's still better than nothing.

They don't make all-gas drop-ins either.

You'd need to get rid of the cabinetry under the range so the slide-in could sit on the floor. I think the depth of the cutout should be good as is, but don't quote me on that. You would need to do some measuring and dimension-checking.

If you like the range, repair is a good option. However, it's getting to that age where key parts are starting to be discontinued. The part you need may be gone. Or, you may be be able to repair for the remainder of the time you're in the house, but if this is your forever home, expect to convert to a slide-in at some point in the future if not now.

I suggest taking a really good picture of what you have and then maybe post the model # and let folks "go to town" looking for replacements for ya. ;) Just a suggestion. a few pictures go a LONG way to getting everyone's head wrapped around the needs.

Russ

You all are GREAT!!! Thank you so much for your time and help. Here are some photos:

So how hard would it be to replace it with a slide-in if necessary? The stove is on the island and faces the sink, not the rest of the room, so I'm not as worried about aesthetics as I might otherwise be. Like, I didn't even remember whether there was cabinetry at the base. You just are never far back enough to really see it (unless you're sitting on the floor cleaning up because the dog got into the trash -- see above).

You will need to have cabinet work done to remove the cabinet piece. You will need to have ductwork done and select an island hood. Then you can select a freestanding range. You can only go dual fuel if you have both the gas and the 240 electrical outlet available. And you'll pay a premium for it. You're looking at about 10K + to go back with something of the same level and the associated components to support it.

You will need to have ductwork done and select an island hood.

In an ideal world this would be done, but not an absolute requirement.

Then you can select a freestanding range.

Slide-in would be a better choice since this is an island application.

You can only go dual fuel if you have both the gas and the 240 electrical outlet available.

The existing range is dual fuel so this should not be an issue.

Fix what's there for now and plan to completely renovate that island/and/or kitchen to get rid of the useless downdraft.

BTW, better check the amperage of that breaker for your current electrical dual fuel. Most newer dual fuel ranges need 30 amps, not the older 20 amps. That may need to be addressed during the remodel as well.

It looks like my only choice for a slide-in with downdraft is the Jenn-Air JDS1750EB. Pricey, but less than putting in a hood (which would look bad in our kitchen anyway) and certainly less than a remodel of the island or the whole kitchen! Is it a good stove?

If I simply must, are there any island hoods that would be fire-safe but that don't hang down very far? They all tout their sleek, modern, stainless style -- but that won't harmonize well with our kitchen. (Click link to see it on the Finished Kitchens Blog.)

So, back to my question: when I can no longer get repairs and do need to replace, will I be able to replace the range I have with a slide-in?

It looks like my only choice for a slide-in with downdraft is the Jenn-Air JDS1750EB

There is also a KitchenAid version of that range, which you may like the look and price of better. Your other option would be a Dacor slide in. They don't have an integrated downdraft, but instead they are compatible with pop-up downdrafts, which are definitely more effective ventilators than the integrated ones. I haven't seen any reviews on Dacor ranges lately, though.

Is it a good stove?

It came out pretty recently, so there aren't many reviews yet. There have been some reviews of the all gas and dual fuel non-downdraft versions here, which overall have been positive. http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2812795/early-review-new-jenn-air-slide-in-gas-range

So, back to my question: when I can no longer get repairs and do need to replace, will I be able to replace the range I have with a slide-in?

As said earlier, yes, you will, after cabinet modification. The bottom piece your range is sitting on needs to go.