Isn't that a downdraft (rising up out of the countertop from behind the cooktop)?

Downdrafts are not very good for venting and work, at best, for short pots on the back burners.

You're not going to like it, but I suggest a real range hood designed for an island.

Even if you do use a downdraft, do you lose all the drawer space? Wouldn't the drawers just be shallower (horizontally)?

Do you really need to put the cooktop in the island? It's really better on a wall where the air flow is less disruptive of the smoke/grease and where you can easily mount a decent range hood. It's also a lot safer. (If you have seating at the island be sure you have at least 24" b/w the back burners and the person seated at the island. You need to reduce the chances of grease splattering or steam scalding someone seated at the island. It's best to have a 21" overhang in this situation. If there is no seating, be sure there's enough room behind the cooktop (non-cooking side) for someone to walk by w/o being splattered or scalded.)

A sink is generally a better choice if one of them must be on an island.

We bought the Electrolux downdraft. The cooktop is induction so we think it will probably be fine. It rises out of the counter when it turns on.

The exhaust fan is quite large. It's rated at 1600CFM and uses a 10" duct. Have not turned it on yet but it's a big step forward from the Jenn-Air prototypes we all remember.

http://www.electroluxicon.com/node26.aspx?productID=30299

I can't help with your downdraft question but we have our cooktop in the island and truly enjoy it. I never liked the idea of cooking and having to stare at a wall while your back is to everyone in the room. We bought a hood insert and the contractor built the hood around it. It is actually quite attractive.

Paddy_99, do you have pictures? This is not the first time this question/issue has come up over the last few weeks. I think pictures might help the OP as well as others!

TIA!

paddy_09, I am like you. I don't like cooking with my back to people and that is where we spend alot of time....in the kitchen area. I also like being able to serve warm soups, dips, etc. when we have cookouts and holidays...by using the cooktop and the rest of the bar.

buehl, this will not be the primary seating area but I hope to have a couple of bar stools. I will keep in mind the distance from the cooktop or the arrangment of the bar stools.

We have down-sized and the kithen is a good size, but we have had to make some compromises. I do not want to use anything overhead. We have spent a great deal of time keeping our house open. My kitchen has a beautiful window and I am affraid the hood would block the view of the window in the kitchen and the fireplace in the great room.

I would love to see pictures! Thanks for the website too.

Thanks! Keep the suggestions coming!

With a 6 x 3 island you'll still have room for a pot drawer (or two) below the cooktop even with a downdraft. I'd guess you'll have room for around a 18-20 inch slide-out drawer. The downdraft unit (knockout box & internal blower) will take up less that 18 inches of your 3 foot width.

What type of drawer that's possible is largely a function of who is making your cabinets. If they are custom made...you have enough room for drawers. If you're doing semi-custom then it depends on what the cabinet supplier has available.

Will take some pics and post them tomorrow.