Sorry for the delay. Yes some of the manufacturers will pair a countertop downdraft with an induction top. However, you may find that because of the much lower countertop temperature of the induction cooktop you don't need a downdraft. I am in the same position as you in that I have a granite countertop with a skylight above it and while I had a standard Jennair cooktop installed I am replacing it with a 36 inch induction cooktop without a downdraft.

We are evaluating the LG induction cooktop and would like to know how the bridging feasture works:  Is there heating across the entire area, e.g.does the space between the 2 burners provide heat?

When using induction cooktops, is it possible to place a large pan across 2 of the burners, e.g. a roasting pan when making gravey or an oval Dutch Oven when making stew?  What is the consistency and coverage of the heat that is produced?

The best thing to do is go to LG web site and download the owner manual from there. Than you can do research on how it acts. If you don't like what you read don't buy that range search another. I have found it a very good way to research appliances

I have a some questions related to Induction cooktops.  It looks like this forum hasn't had posts in a while, but I would appreciate feedback from those of you who have induction cooktops.

1.  If the burner size is 10" is that the maximum size pan you can use on that burner?  If you have a larger pan will it heat the food OK?

2.  I like the GE Profile 30" but saw in the specs that 12" of clearance is needed underneath the cooktop.  This seems like a lot of wasted space.  Not only can I not have a cabinet drawer, but my pull-out shelves in the cabinet would not work with this unit.  Any one have experience with this issue?

3.  Does anyone own the Kenmore Elite 4283?  Consumer reports rates it about the same as the GE Profie.  It has less power in the burners.  Is the cooking still superior to gas or about the same?

 

Thanks!

suzanne_boies:  "We are evaluating the LG induction cooktop and would like to know how the bridging feasture works:  Is there heating across the entire area, e.g.does the space between the 2 burners provide heat?"

The simple answer is "yes."  We own an LG induction cooktop.  There are actually three elements on the left side.  When the Power is on for the cooktop as a whole, either of the left side burners can be powered individually.  But if you touch the bridge control before powering either of those burners, after that the power control for either of the burners controls both burners, and a third small element between the two burners also is activated.  

Two other minor items of note about the bridge unit:  (1)  A slight software/logic anomaly in the LG cooktop -- at least ours -- is that if any metal object is left atop the bridge control when the cooktop is powered off, then the cooktop will "wake up" for the sole purpose of objecting and requiring the user to reset the cooktop by powering it on, then off, again.   (2) LG's included stainless griddle is made of very soft steel and will scratch cosmetically immediately, no matter what.  It functions well, but loses its cosmetic pristineness with the first use.  It is, however, exactly the width of a standard dishwasher's interior, and thus well suited to washing in a dishwasher. 

Marianne_Johnson:  " If the burner size is 10" is that the maximum size pan you can use on that burner?  If you have a larger pan will it heat the food OK? . . . I like the GE Profile 30" but saw in the specs that 12" of clearance is needed underneath the cooktop.  This seems like a lot of wasted space.  Not only can I not have a cabinet drawer, but my pull-out shelves in the cabinet would not work with this unit.  Any one have experience with this issue?"

Our former Jenn-Air induction cooktop had two 7" induction "burners."  We regularly used them with pans as large as 10".  The effect is similar to that of using a larger pot on a smaller gas or coil electric burner.  The area over the inverter heats fully, but the heating of the rest of the pan relies mainly on conduction through the material of the pot.   Pots that conduct evenly, such as cast iron pots or pots with thick disk bottoms, will see even heat throughout eventually, but thinner profile steel pots might have a temperature gradient around the edges.  The effect is less pronounced with induction than with gas or coil electric, because the magnetic field does "leak" a bit horizontally through ferrous pan material, but the area over the burner does get hotter sooner, just as with other forms of energy transfer.

Your issue as to undercounter depth was very poignant to us when we had to replace the Jenn-Air.  The Jenn-Air was only about 3.5" deep below the counter, and we had a utility drawer for stirring spoons and spatulas directly underneath the cooktop.  We found, as you have, that there is great variation in undercounter depth from brand to brand; the Electrolux is, if we recall correctly, even deeper than the GE, and either of those units would have required us to sacrifice at least that drawer, and perhaps the drawer beneath it.   The LG that we eventually purchased to replace the Jenn-Air is exceptionally thin under the counter, less than half as thick as our old Jenn-Air had been, se we kept our undercounter drawer.  Part of LG's means to achieve that thinness was to position the exhaust vents for the cooling fan at the rear of the cooktop, above -- not below -- the counter.  The vents are very inobtrusive, but you may wish to consider that factor if you are  looking at an LG cooktop, with regard to possible obstruction of the vents by the way your backsplash is designed, or the potential to spill liquid into the vents. 

Thank You for the very helpful information. 

Marianne

Thanks very much for sharing your experience.

The inexpensive variety of emerilware, the 10 piece, $200 set, works but when buying the heavier better quality pieces, the "magnet" won't stick to the bottom.  The non-stick pans of emerilware is not "inductionable" either.  The higher priced pans are excellent for conventional cooking methods though I hate to dispose of them.