The downdraft on this model works very well, so well that it will re-direct the flame, but if you want fumes to go OUT, this unit will do it effectively. I would prefer individual burners as we had in our older model but it's not a huge problem this way. This unit seems to confuse installers, so make sure that the installer understands how to handle this unit. We bought this in black because the unit isn't made in slate yet and we found that it matches the slate appliances very well.