What is that ? And are these bought separately from the stove unit or built into the stove ?

im trying to avoid buying all new and use existing if possible but it might not be possible to get what i need

@Stephanie Watson --- could you give us the model numbers for for your existing Thermador range and downdraft unit (also by Thermador?). Without those details, it is hard to give a specific response. Here's a general, generic response.

Most telescoping downdrafts are separate from ranges and you can replace the range without having to connect it [the range] to your existing ventilation system. That is what your response indicates you expect and that is mostly true. Mostly true of overhead venting, as well. IOW, the stove can be swapped out with touching the downdraft system. That certainly seemed to be the case when I looked up the installation instructions for Thermador's latest models of gas ranges and pop-up downdrafts.

However, older models might be different. Some years ago, some manufacturers did make venting that integrated with stoves in various ways. Sometimes, vent controls were tied to stove controls. Sometimes there were other kinds of integration. That's why it would help to have the model numbers for your downdraft and present range.

thanks for your response !

my Thermador is an older unit probably original to the house built in 1995. its model number is RDDS30VRS. no idea on the vent as it is completely encased in the island. but I’ll add a few photos for reference .

It’s not a cooktop, its an entire slide in oven/range. My main question is can i use the existing extraction vent with a new slide in oven/range?

Since there is an oven below, Im not certain a range without my current venting capabilities will accomodate. And I 100% prefer gas to induction. have never had sn issue with gas fumes. no issues what so ever really with this set up, its just dated and i want a new look. But sounds like its complicated to just buy a new slide in gas range .

Tracking down manuals for an almost 30-year old Thermador RDDDSS30 gas range is proving a challenge.

I did find manuals for Thermador electric and dual fuel models but haven't had any luck turning up a one for an all gas range. The one for the Thermador electric and dual fuel models ---- here is the link. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/170130/Thermador-Rdds30v.html?page=44#manual --- says the Cook-n-Vent was an accessory for these Thermador stoves. The unit's blower could be mounted in two ways.

One mounting set-up used a "remote blower" --- the blower was placed at the end of the ducting where it emerged from the roof or an exterior wall. If that is how your vent was set-up, you could probably just swap out the old stove and keep using the existing vent with a new slide-in range.

The other mounting was called "built in." It placed the blower in the bottom of the stove where the utility drawer would otherwise have gone. I couldn't tell how easy or hard it would be to convert that old set-up to work with a remote blower. An alternative would be replacing the in-kitchen part with a current model of telescoping downdraft that would connect to your existing ducting.

great information! thank you! Upon further inspection, i do believe i have the dual fuel model. looking at the bottom of the oven, the underneath utility drawer is where the connections are located so it must be the built in blower as you’ve described.

you have bern VERY helpful!

thank you very much!!