Hi Houzzers,

I am hoping you can advise me with my dilemma.

Some background:

I remolded my 12'x12' kitchen 16 years ago and purchased a Jenn-Air electric slide in downdraft range to fit into the peninsula. After a lot of deliberation, I chose electric; as the counter space in my kitchen is quite limited and the smooth glass top doubles as serve space at times, I didn't want to visually cut the space with an overhead vent hood (the kitchen is open to the dining room-via a 8' wide doorway), and I was used to cooking with electric. The design was difficult as the kitchen had 4 doorways, one on each wall.

The range, model #SVE47600 has worked well, although the read out on the electronic display doesn't function anymore.

I cook and entertain a lot, and use the oven frequently.

Current problem:

Most recently, I kept smelling a burning odor when using the oven, thought something had spilled on the bottom, so I ran the self cleaning function. It had been cleaned right before Thanksgiving. The next day, as I was wiping out the residue, I noticed something above the broiler unit...it was a jagged edge HOLE, near a steam vent, about 1.5" x 2", with exposed and SINGED insulation! That is what I was smelling...burning insulation. I am so glad I found this before my next homemade pizza night!

I fear this could have set my whole oven/kitchen/house on fire!

I called Jenn Air customer service, and of course, since the unit is considered "old", they no longer make the oven liner replacement part. Naturally, and ironically, the oven burner elements are working. I am just terrified of using it.

I am, however, using the rangetop, as they are plug in cartridge units.

So, I check out new downdraft slide in ranges, and guess what? There are only two brand choices-either Jenn Air or Kitchen Aid, (both owned by Whirlpool Corp.). Which is fine, except for the horrible reviews I find online about the Jenn Air brand. The Kichen Aid reviews are better (less of them), but newer (from dec-15) so the reliability is in question.

Both new Jenn Air and Kitchen Aid ranges are redesigned with a curved side edge, meaning there will be a gap between the range and counter top for crumbs and spills! A trim kit is available to fill in the gap, but no photos online to show the detail.

By the way, the sales rep at the appliance shop tells me the life expectancy of the Jenn Air, model #JES1750ES (2 year manufacturer warranty) is 10 to 12 years! And, the MSRP is $3099, with delivery, taxes and install, it's over $3700. That is not very satisfactory to me, at all.

I'm wondering if I could just put in a regular, more reliable , less expensive slide in range without the installation of an overhead vent. I have a 3' x 3' window over the sink, adjacent to the range.

Putting in an overhead ceiling mount vent is a design option, but would require a major redo of of my kitchen at great expense not currently in my budget.

Do I gamble on installation one of these two brands, that have bad and/or untested reliability?

I'm so uncertain...as my choices seem limited.

Anyone have some other ideas? Sometimes an outside viewpoint is most helpful.

Thanks for your input.