I have the Thermador 30 inch induction cooktop and the Thermador 14 inch tall retractable downdraft unit on order. I was never told anything about induction cooktops needing extra free space around them. My cooktop and vent will need to fit into a 30 inch wide and 25 inch deep cabinet in my center island. I had the install crew come out specifically to make sure I had the space to fit both units in. Other than needing to upgrade to a 40 amp circuit, they did not see any other installation issues. I would like to know more though about this need for more space around the induction units. I am planning to have the downdraft unit placed at the top of the cooktop and there won't be much additional space available.

Downdrafts do not suck that is the problem. Can you not put the cook top on an outside wall . In fact if I had to choose a window over my sink and a cooktop on an outside wall I would choose a sink in the island

Your design is very much driven by wishful thinking. I understand. I've been there before. You'd really want it to work this way, and it's frustrating that nobody makes the appliances you want. A downdraft hood is close to useless, with one noteworthy exception, all recirculating hoods are no more than expensive white-noise machines, and even if you could fit in that place, a wall oven really doesn't work well under a countertop let alone under a cooktop. Pretty much the only thing you have going for you is the induction cooktop. That's a solid choice. I suggest you go back to the drawing board and pick a more conventional set up. A induction cooktop, a vent-a-hood recirculating island hood, and a wall oven at countertop level should result in a much more functional kitchen.

We had an early 1980s downdraft electric cooktop, and once it caught fire, we decided it was time to replace it. :) There weren’t a lot of options that were the modern equivalent. We ended up installing an overhead vent hood and an induction cooktop. I loooove the induction cooktop because it’s SO easy to clean AND because it’s so responsive. I don’t think I’d ever prefer to cook with gas now.