frazzledspice's Full Review: Jenn-Air JED8130 30 in. Electric Cooktop
We have lived in four different homes in three different states in the past fifteen years, and have had Jennair electric cooktops with grill and downdraft in two of them. And so, when the Thermador cooktop in my current home could not be repaired, I decided to replace it with a Jennair cooktop.
I thought this would be simple. The Thermador had a ventilation hood which came up at the push of a button. It was built into a center island, and all the ductwork to the rear wall of our house was intact. I thought it would be easy to replace the Thermador with a Jennair and attach it to the existing ductwork. What a mistake!
Problem #1: Different Size Cutout
After looking at many different sizes and brands of cooktops, I learned that cooktops have gotten smaller in depth (by about 1 to 2 inches) over the years. This meant that I would have to replace my center island countertop as well as the cooktop.
I decided to go to Home Depot so that I could purchase the new countertop and cooktop together.
I was able to match the formica on my existing countertops for the center island top I was replacing, and was able to purchase a Jennair JED8130 cooktop which was exactly like the cooktops I had loved in the other two homes I'd lived in.
The Jennair arrived in November. The countertop was replaced in late November. Home Depot does not install appliances but assured me it would be no problem. "Probably all you'll have to do it plug it in!" they said.
Problem #2: Getting the Cooktop Installed
Getting the cooktop installed electrically was a relatively simple process. I called an electrician, who had to change the existing line to the cooktop. The Jennair wasn't a 'plug-in' installation; it was wired directly to the connection. The electrician said I would have to find "someone else" to do the ductwork.
Since then, I have called:
The Maytag Store
Our local Maytag dealer advertises sales and installations of Jennairs. They said they had someone who could do the ductwork, but that he was so busy with new construction that he'd have to "fit me in." I called him about 5 times. He said he'd come to measure when he was "around my area." I waited one and a half months. He never came.
Sears
Sears sent out a cooktop repair person. He said that he doesn't know how to install the ductwork in Jennairs. He didn't know whether anyone in Sears did (although they also sell Jennairs.) He called up someone he thought could help him. That person told him that the ductwork I'd had for the Thermador would have to be completely redone to the outside wall because current code requires a circular pipe of a certain diameter and my existing pipe was rectangular. In addition, neither of the Sears repair persons knew who could do that kind of work.
"Maybe a sheet metal guy..." they said.
Furnace Repairmen
My furnace needed a repair, and the home warranty company sent out some furnace repairmen. While they were there, I asked them if THEY could do the ductwork.
They said that because of the way the Jennair was seated in the existing cabinet, and because there wasn't enough room to put an elbow in the pipe, it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to do new ductwork. They suggested I call Jennair.
I Called Jennair and Hit a Dead End
The Jennair Automated System referred me to a local repairman who repaired Jennairs. When I called him he said he no longer repaired Jennairs "and neither does anyone else in this city." He took my name and number and said he had a friend who worked with sheet metal and was very handy, and that, if this person thought he could help me, he would call me. I never heard back.
Home Depot
I returned to Home Depot, and the assistant manager assured me that they would find someone who could install the Jennair. The Kitchen Department gave me the name and number of someone who does a lot of work for them. He said he wouldn't or couldn't do the ductwork.
But, thank goodness, Home Depot agreed to let me bring back the Jennair for a full refund.
The Moral of This Story
I have since purchased an Amana cooktop with smooth glass burners and no downdraft vents!
I'm waiting for an installer to come and make the switch--unwire the Jennair so I can return it, and install the Amana.
Even though I have a George Foreman grill, I had really looked forward to having a Jennair again, but I have gone through four months of aggravation, only to find that it is impossible to install (perhaps, if I had continued pounding the pavement another four months, I could have found an installer, but it would have been extremely costly.)
I have come to the conclusion that Jennairs are only appropriate to purchase for new construction, or when embarking on complete kitchen renovations.
If you only want to replace an old cooktop that can't be repaired, buying a Jennair is a nightmare!
Specs on the Jennair I Was Never Able to Completely Use
The Jennair electric cooktop features two burners and a modular grill assembly that can be switched from grill to griddle. There is a downdraft in the center of the cooktop that eliminates smoke, steam and odors. Two indicator lights let you know which burners are being used. The product has a one year warranty.
Grill assembly with Excaliburï½® nonstick grill grate finish lets you grill any time of year. Removable, porcelain dishwasher-safe grill liner pan mak...More at AJ Madison
Grill assembly with Excalibur® nonstick grill grate finish lets you grill any time of year. Downdraft ventilation pulls smoke and cooking odors down ...More at US Appliance
Jenn-Air: JED8130ADB 30'' Modular Electric Downdraft Cooktop with 2 Fixed Coil Elements and Two-Speed Ventilation Fan (MODULES SOLD SEPERATELY): Black...More at Home Everything
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.