Jenn-Air 30 JX3™ Gas Downdraft Cooktop

Love the gas cooktop and downdraft exhaust fan feature. One of the electronic igniter switches under the knob failed within 2 months but was replaced under warranty.

We did a LOT of homework before buying this model. We love this cooktop. Replaced a old GE cooktop. Compared to the KitchenAid model this one has a much better quality steel (scratch resistant), the knobs are also made of steel (v/s plastic which looks like steel on the KitchenAid) and brass burners (v/s alumunium on the Kitchen Aid). I like the automatic flame reigniter also but it see below. The grates and burner tops were discolored during the first week but customer care sent me a replacement set (note that cosmetic issues are only covered for the first 30 days). The replacement has been okay so far. The fan is VERY powerful and effective, even at low. The fan is more silent than my old GE but it's still loud. This has a few nuances you need to be aware of. 1. When using the flame at "low" AND the fan is on, the flame starts flicking and the this kicks on the automatic flame reigniter which things the flame is out. So you need to increase a flame past minimum when using the fan. 2. The flame on the FAR end of the burner (opposite end to the fan grate) burns brighter and the flame near the fan intake side of the burner burns lower. The designers apparently have accounted for the fan being on all the time in their design of the burners so, when the fan is on, it far end is sucked in and there's an even flame all around the pan. However when the fan is OFF, the far end of the flame on the burner is almost 2 times higher than the burner end closer to the fan. So this causes the pan to heat unevenly, infact with the largest burners it even goes all the way around the pan and can burn your hands if you aren't careful. Note this only seems to impact the cooking at high flame, at lower flames it tends to be equal on all sides. This design issue is why I've given it 4 stars, while I appreciate the thought into keeping the flame even with the fan on, it makes cooking on high flame impossible with the fan off due to uneven heating. But our GE cooktop never has this to with the fan on it was impossible to cook evenly. It's how you look at it :) We still prefer this since with the fan on you can use it as high flame, with the fan off you typically don't ever need high flame since the burners are so BIG so it works out fine. But something to be aware of depending on your cooking style. Otherwise we love our new cooktop and it's easy to clean.

Great except cannot get a very low fire to simmer. Great for high and medium heat.

I therefore am surprised for heightened Jennair interest to offer me extended warranties on a new unit. Should I be concerned? Unit works as specified - no extra value for money and I have two serious concerns: 1. the unit's gastop signage for each dial looks fragile, too light to read, and appears to be faded. 2. performance - I will only review a product after 6, 12 months, then 1 and 3 year.

Cooks wonderful, and fit our unique kitchen island perfectly. But two disappointments in light of the cost: the exhaust alters the flame significantly, which can result in uneven cooking; and the beautiful stainless surface scratches remarkably easily.