Best 36 Downdraft Vent
Description
The Best Cattura D49M36SB delivers powerful downdraft ventilation for 36-inch cooktop installations, featuring a sleek retracting design that rises 18 inches above the countertop surface when activated to capture cooking emissions at their source. This premium ventilation system is engineered for island and peninsula cooktop configurations where traditional overhead hoods would obstruct sightlines or conflict with architectural elements. The 36-inch width provides extended capture area for larger cooktops with 5-6 burners, ensuring effective ventilation across the entire cooking surface. For countertop fabricators, the installation requires precise execution of an elongated slot cutout that demands careful material selection, reinforcement strategies, and cutting techniques to ensure long-term structural integrity.
Dimensions
- Corner Radius
- 0.25"
Specifications
- Manufacturer
- Best
- Model Number
- D49M36SB
- Downloads
- 0
Related Templates
The Best Cattura D49M36SB delivers powerful downdraft ventilation for 36-inch cooktop installations, featuring a sleek retracting design that rises 18 inches above the countertop surface when activated to capture cooking emissions at their source. This premium ventilation system is engineered for island and peninsula cooktop configurations where traditional overhead hoods would obstruct sightlines or conflict with architectural elements. The 36-inch width provides extended capture area for larger cooktops with 5-6 burners, ensuring effective ventilation across the entire cooking surface. For countertop fabricators, the installation requires precise execution of an elongated slot cutout that demands careful material selection, reinforcement strategies, and cutting techniques to ensure long-term structural integrity.
Installation Overview
The Best D49M36SB requires a narrow slot cutout measuring 34.5 inches wide by 2.875 inches deep (2-7/8") with 0.25-inch corner radius at each end of the elongated opening. Position this slot behind and parallel to the cooktop cutout, maintaining 2-4 inches of solid material between the rear edge of the cooktop opening and the front edge of the downdraft slot. The 34.5-inch length creates thin retention strips of countertop material on both sides that bear significant stress during fabrication, transportation, installation, and thermal cycling during use. These retention strips typically measure 0.75 to 1.5 inches wide depending on the specific cooktop model and installation layout. The downdraft housing requires minimum 36 inches of vertical clearance below the countertop surface, necessitating coordination with base cabinet drawer configurations, pull-out shelving, plumbing lines, and electrical circuits. Verify adequate space for either 8-inch round duct (internal blower) or 10-inch round duct (external blower) routing to exterior termination points.
CNC Cutting Notes
The extended 34.5-inch slot length requires meticulous CNC programming and execution to prevent material failure during cutting operations. Use a 10mm or 12mm diamond router bit with continuous rim design to minimize lateral cutting forces on the narrow retention strips. Program multiple shallow passes with maximum 5mm depth increments for granite, 4mm for quartzite, and 3mm for quartz materials. Never attempt to cut the full 2.875-inch depth in a single pass, as the lateral forces will crack the retention strips. Begin the cut at one end of the slot rather than plunging in the center to reduce stress concentration points. For the 0.25-inch corner radii, use a ball-end router bit matching the specified radius to create smooth stress-free transitions. Maintain consistent feed rate throughout the cut to prevent chatter marks or uneven cutting forces. After completing the slot cut, immediately stabilize the retention strips before moving the slab by applying temporary support bars or leaving the waste material in place. Apply permanent reinforcement before any slab handling: epoxy 1/8-inch thick stainless steel or aluminum flat bar along the entire length of the slot on both sides of the underside, extending at least 3 inches beyond each end of the slot. For premium installations, consider routing shallow channels in the slab underside to embed the reinforcement bars flush rather than surface-mounting them.
Material Compatibility
The Best D49M36SB downdraft slot is compatible with granite, engineered quartz, quartzite, and ultra-compact surfaces when proper reinforcement techniques are applied. Select granite slabs with uniform tight grain structure and minimal veining that might intersect the slot path, avoiding exotic varieties with large crystal formations or pronounced fracture planes. Engineered quartz performs excellently for downdraft applications due to consistent composition and high flexural strength, though underside reinforcement remains mandatory regardless of material quality. Quartzite requires careful evaluation of the grain structure and natural fissures before committing to downdraft installation. Avoid marble, travertine, limestone, and other relatively soft or porous natural stones for downdraft applications, as they lack the structural integrity for narrow slot configurations subject to thermal cycling and mechanical stress. If clients insist on marble or softer stones, embed carbon fiber or fiberglass reinforcement mesh during fabrication and provide written disclaimers regarding increased cracking risk. Solid surface materials like Corian can accommodate downdraft slots only with continuous substrate support and substantial reinforcement. Ultra-compact surfaces (Dekton, Neolith, Lapitec) offer superior strength for demanding downdraft installations but require carbide or PCD tooling and slower cutting speeds due to extreme hardness.
Where to Buy
The Best Cattura D49M36SB 36-inch downdraft ventilation system is available through authorized Best retailers including AJ Madison, Abt Electronics, US Appliance, Yale Appliance, KAM Appliances, and local kitchen specialty dealers. Retail pricing ranges from $2,000 to $2,600 for the downdraft unit, with blower motors sold separately at $450-$900 depending on CFM rating and internal versus external mounting configuration. The system supports multiple blower options: 290 CFM, 390 CFM, 500 CFM, and 650 CFM maximum ratings, allowing customization based on cooking habits and cooktop BTU output. Professional installation is required for proper integration of ductwork, electrical connection (120V, 15A dedicated circuit), and synchronization with compatible cooktop controls. For fabricators coordinating multi-trade installations, obtain the complete appliance package specification from the client including downdraft unit model, blower model and CFM rating, and cooktop model to ensure all components are compatible and cutout dimensions are verified before cutting expensive countertop materials.