Well, You are more fortunate than I was drewem. When I designed my kitchen, (2005) I did not yet know about Garden Web-so- I did it completely "On my Own". I made TWO, "REALLY BIG GOOFS" Things worked out great, except for a very fancy, 36" semi circle electric cook top I bought and had installed into the granite, (at great expense too, due to the exacting cuts needed for a flush fit for the 36" semi circle). The Granite folks did a terrific job,and it looked great! They did try to get me to reconsider the cook top) but I wanted that fancy cooktop!--but wait-- There's More!!! Goof 1 In less than 2 years that fancy cook top died and the company that made it was out of business! Nobody else made a 36" semi circle cook top--so had to re do the granite!!!! Goof 2 (more related to what You "almost did") Being a "Techie" (Electronic Engineer), The same company that made that fancy cooktop made a popup down draft fan for it. The controls for the popup were built right into the cooktop, fan speed, lighting, etc. How Kewl is that?? Well, 1st I asked the cabinet guy will the popup fit OK in the granite (the cooktop is in a corner at a 45 degree angle). Cabinet guy said , no problem, I asked my handiman that was helping build the kitchen, again "No Problem". I even asked the Granite folks and receive the same reply, "No Problem"! Wife looks at the popup, she says "That Ain't gonna fit". I said I had 3 different people check it and they all say it will fit-----IT DID NOT FIT. The company that made it took it back but gave me "Pennies on the dollar for it, even though they needed it to complete another order near Seattle I shipped it there, myself! So a "Long winded way" to show the value of Garden Webb and the folks that participate here. I'm sure they would have warned me about cutting a 36" semi circle in my granite and to only have one option for a cooktop to fit "Said hole". Second they would have probably pointed out the "shortcomings" of a popout vent, There was no reason to do one, cept I thought it was Kinda "Kewl" and I knew nothing about the performance of pop up vents. Anyway all has ended well, All the other decisions made in the kitchen have been good ones, appliances, lighting, cabinets, granite, etc etc etc. Thanks to the folks on GW the story has a "Happy Ending". They introduced us to Induction, The fancy cooktop was replaced with an Elux Icon Induction Cooktop and wife Luv's it! I'm glad the folks were able to "SAve Ya" before ya made the mess I did!!!! Gary

If you can't repair/replace your vent motor(?), the next cheapest solution may be to get a new model Jenn Air cooktop, including a downdraft vent. I believe Jenn Air still makes these. One difficulty with other downdraft vents is that they are placed just outside the perimeter of the cooktop, rather than within the cooktop (as in your photo). A vent's efficiency deteriorates sharply the farther away suction is from the effluent source, so vents set beside a cooktop tend to work best for the one or two hobs closest to them. The best solution may be a vent that sits directly above the cooktop, but obviously this is more expensive. Moving the cooktop to an exterior wall adds other expenses, but may simplify exhausting the vapors. In general, venting from a corner (or a wall) works better than from the middle of a room, as you have things now. Of course, what and how you cook, and your local ordinance regulation, may also influence your decisions here.

yeah, I can see it how it gets tight. I like space on both sides when cooking. As far as priorities I would say 1. kitchen should have a great center focus whether its the sink/window or stove/hood. Everything should line up and be proper. 2.Proper space for all pots/pans/garbage/cups and glasses. So good mix of drawers and cabinets. Not too crazy with so many top cabinets. 3. Fit all appliance sizes 36 fridge at min, 36 stove, 24 dish, i could do away with double ovens. Microwave for sure, and if possible wine cooler smallest size. 4. Counter space is important. might be #2 priority really. 5. Lighting natural and otherwise. 6. Island seating for 4, but then I also remember most of my friend's islands and they just put stools where the island is, no space for knees, I don't want to sacrifice the dining room like we discussed earlier. Everything is important! However also consider ikea cabinets vs custom. The kitchenkraft is about the same price, but the custom is about 3x as much in the original design.

1a. You originally wrote "stove". I guess you meant "cooktop". Here are two Frigidaire induction cooktops that are about the same size as your current ones. You'd have to measure the size of the cutout to be sure. Any downdraft vent is not built into the cooktop. Frigidaire FFIC3026TB 30 Inch Induction Smoothtop Cooktop Frigidaire FGIC3066TB Gallery Series 30 Inch Induction Smoothtop Cooktop 1b. Downdraft electric cooktop: GE Profile PP9830DJBB 30 Inch Electric Smoothtop Cooktop (not induction) 2. If you really meant "stove", then there is ONE downdraft electric range but it is NOT induction: KitchenAid KSEG950ESS 6.4 cu. ft. Downdraft Slide-In Electric Range with Self-Cleaning Convection Oven in Stainless Steel