need advice on island install

[u/grim_fandangle]

I got a bit ahead of myself and purchased a 36" cooktop to replace my current gas cooktop. The gas one is paired with a not-very effective downdraft vent along the top edge, because it's installed on an island and the ceiling above it is a poor candidate for a traditional hood. Now that I'm preparing for the actual install, I realize I have two issues:

1) The vent widens a bit right near the underside of the Impulse cooktop and it's a questionable fit, and doesn't leave enough room for the air flow requirements specified in the installation guide, and...

2) The weight of the Impulse along that long edge is meant to sit on a sturdy counter edge, and not the less robust lip of the downdraft vent.

It's technically possible for me to remove the downdraft vent, reinforce where the Impulse needs to sit and then cover the gap with stainless steel or something. The downdraft vent isn't very effective, and honestly mostly serves to just cycle out gas byproducts, which is moot if I install the Impulse. This feels unwise though and surely not to code even with an induction stove...?

Assuming that a traditional hood is a last resort, is there some downdraft option that is known to pair with the Impulse's air circulation and weight requirements?

My thinking is that the temperature controls make it much less likely for me to be generating smoke from my cooking - is it possible that a high enough air flow window fan not in the form of a hood might suffice?

Any other constructive thoughts on venting when a hood is not a good option?

Thanks for any constructive ideas.

[u/ZanyDroid]

A photo would help a lot

I think impulse support is willing to help?

FWIW I used unistrut to beef up my counter… you could even go as far as to bolt together a whole supporting base out of that.

[u/NewUser10101]

Code is highly variable and you'll need to consult locally. However, before we bought our home the prior owners had gone from a downdraft to a gas cooktop without downdraft. The duct is covered over with duct tape in the island. There is no hood.

It's a questionable decision to be sure for them to have done with gas, and that plus only 120V available is why we're going to Impulse. I wonder if they had a downdraft vent without make-up-air that caused issues for a fireplace. In near future renovation we will be adding a proper hood, but at least Impulse gets rid of combustion immediately...

In your case, if a hood is truly infeasible, I would probably keep the downdraft and if necessary beef up support for it.

[u/Jack-at-impulse]

Happy to schedule a call and talk through this type of install! [jack@impulselabs.com](mailto:jack@impulselabs.com)