Cold air from outside enters the kitchen through the down draft vent.

I put a tea towel over the vent surface, also a piece of bubble wrap does the trick if used as insulation, and both can be removed quickly to use the surface.

This would be a bad idea. The problem would be that not all of the exhaust gases will leave the kitchen. (Thus it could make you ill or be fatal - it will not do be a problem for the blower.) For a very short run you can use 5" duct but not after any sections of 6" or 3 1/4" x 10" rectangular ducting. The maximum duct length can be 100'; however 5" round duct has a higher equivalence length than 6" round duct.

You would be better off putting the cooktop on an exterior wall and directly venting it to the outside with rectangular ducting.

The installation and owner's manual are available from GE. Go to http://www.geappliances.com/service_and_support/literature/. Then search for JP389.

I wish that I had better news.

Cindy Wells

Is this the part you are looking for http://cgi.ebay.com/Jenn-air-Range-Grill-Vent-Cover-Chrome-Down-Draft-Vent_W0QQitemZ220536707181QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item335903186d

Hi, first thing I would check is the point outside where the vent exits the building, look for a blockage or anything keeping the flap from opening. If that is clear, it could be a nest or spider webs in the ducting.  Good luck and I hope it's just snow or something easy.

1) turn off power at the breaker. 2) remove hold down screws 3) pop up cooktop out of counter top 4) remove knobs and downdraft grille 5) remove ceramic top (screws around outside and also in side grille opening) 6) unplug burners replace with new burner

You need to install a damper. It sounds like your vent now just vents into the attic and out the attic vents. If that is the case, or even if it vents directly to a roof vent, you can install a damper that only lets air flowe one direction.



Here is just one source of many that you can purchse dampers from.
http://www.rewci.com/416splobada.html

The damper would be installed in the exhaust duct. If your vent pipe is connected to a roofmounted vent, you can replace the vent with a dampered vent.

Someone suggested the flapper needs replacing.
Thanks for your help.

you definalty should feels air moving, providing hte unit is ON. when not in use there should be mo draft( minimal at best) if there is still a draft when unit is off, i would check where it exhausts outside, there should be flap tha closes when not inuse

the only way is to block off/check the flapper., if your not going to use for the winter you can disconnect the vent from under the cabinet temporaily and close off there till you can gain access to check outside grill

Please don't buy another one!!! This is the most poorly designed cooktop made. You would be much happier with another brand. If you really want a treat try Thermador. I had a Jenn Air installed on an outside wall and vented directly outside, It still set off the smoke detector constantly. Very hard to clean., Very poor burners both open coil and smooth top.