Is the grease filter clean and installed correctly?  Is the ventilation chamber clean?

Operate the downdraft ventilation system with the filter properly installed for optimal performance. Clean the filter often to avoid grease buildup.

Review Downdraft Ventilation Maintenance for more information on cleaning. 

Is there air movement/draft/restriction in the room?

Other air movement devices, such as ceiling fans, air conditioner registers, etc., can create air currents that interfere with downdraft ventilation.

Turn off or limit the device to create air currents to improve the performance of the downdraft vent system.

Make-up Air:

The air that is exhausted by the unit must be replaced.  If a room or house is too "tight", the unit may not vent properly.  If a house or room is too "tight", it will be necessary to introduce more air into the environment.  Some air conditioning and heating units do allow for make-up air.

Important: Observe all governing codes and ordinances.

Adjacent Cabinets:

Cabinets closer than the minimum distance allowed can create dead air pockets that impair performance.  For maximum performance, the recommended distance to adjacent cabinets or walls is 6". 

Refer to Installation Instructions for complete details.

Is the control set correctly?

Turn vent fan knob or rocker switch to LOW, MED(medium) or HIGH.  Turn vent fan knob or rocker switch to OFF when finished cooking or when the cooktop is not in use.

Clean or replace the grease filter

• Turn off the downdraft ventilation system before removing the filter.
• Remove the vent grate, then lift the filter out of the vent chamber.
• Clean the filter in the sink with warm water and detergent or in the dishwasher.
• Replace the filter. The filter should always be placed at an angle. If the filter is flat against the fan wall, ventilation effectiveness will be reduced.

Replacement parts can be purchased at Maytag Purchase Genuine Parts.