"Should I get a separate stovetop and oven so I can replace it more easily if it breaks?"

No. First, it's much more expensive to buy a cooktop and oven and a cabinet to contain them than it is to purchase a range. Second, it's much easier to find a range replacement than it is a cooktop because cooktop cutouts vary substantially in size while range width are standard (e.g., 30"). Third, replacing a range is easy: basically pulling out the old one followed by plugging in and shoving in the new one. Finally, an under-counter oven will be very low to the floor, much lower than a typical range oven.

In CR's subscriber surveys, Frigidaire induction ranges were found to be most reliable. They're also inexpensive so you won't be out a lot of $$$ if you have to replace.

• FRIGIDAIRE GALLERY 30 in. 4 Element Freestanding Induction Range in Stainless Steel
• Frigidaire 30 in. 5.3 cu. ft. 4-Element Slide-In Front Control Induction Range

If you're concerned about repairs, you might contact service center(s) recommended by the manfacturer to MAKE SURE that service is actually available in your area before buying.

The freestanding Frigidaire gets fewer positive reviews than the slide-in for the induction usability. Bosch has two 30" models at a higher price point that are popular on this forum.

An added vote for surge protection for your service. Check with your utility company on their help with recommendations. They are likely to have the relevant experience. Solar and batteries are getting lots of YouTube action these days.

Thanks for the very informative replies. However, we do have a whole-house surge suppressor. Second, I checked on Frigidaire and their contracted repair shop will not come to my village.

@wdccruise, your info on ranges vs stovetops was very helpful.

On another discussion, I found Yale Appliances' blog and it was super helpful. Based on it, I will probably not get an induction stovetop, Although I love my portable induction cooker, it's not worth the hassle due to higher repair frequencies.

What brand of appliances can you get serviced where you live? I don't know about cooktops but so far I haven't needed any more frequent repairs for my Electrolux induction range than any other range I've had. I've had the E'lux for seven years - no problems so far. I did buy a relatively inexpensive one because I wasn't sure of the longevity and I figured any repairs would be expensive enough that replacement may be warranted.

I recently had a gas range repaired at my lake cabin and the cause of the problem was power surge - we have a lot of outages. I do now have a whole house surge suppressor and a whole house generator.

The technical meaning of reliability is that given a probability distribution of equipment failure times, what is the mean (average) time before failure of the ensemble (MTBF). Any particular unit might fail in a short time, or last nearly forever. The MTBF values for different systems can be calculated based on the individual failure rates of the components.

It should not be a surprise that induction cooktops (induction ranges are induction cooktops plus conventional ovens) have many more electrical components than coil, radiant, or gas cooktops. In principle, by choosing long lifetime parts and understressing them, the induction cooktop can have a long lifetime (high MTBF).

My initial induction cooktop (36-inch Electrolux Kenmore Elite) lasted about 7 years. My replacement (36-inch Electrolux Frigidaire Gallery) has so far lasted about 8 years. The Frigidaire price was about the same as the boards needed to repair the Kenmore. I think the US branches of the induction cooktop industry have found their pace and have reached a reasonable level of longevity.

Transient and surge suppression can theoretically help, but the myriad ways that voltage spikes can enter buildings (not to mention being generated within buildings) makes thorough suppression difficult. So, I would argue every approach helps, but may not guarantee complete removal of the risk. My protection is augmented intermittently, but I have no doubt that complete suppression would require prohibitive cost and time to achieve.

See example layout figure at: https://residential.tpssurge.com/applications/home-automation-landscape-lighting-controls/

I wonder if the standalone induction may be more reliable because it won't have a 500 degree box under it's electronics?

Thanks for the replies. According to the blog at Yale Appliance, the induction cooktops have higher reliability than a range with an induction cooktop. For example, the GE profile range has a failure rate of 12.6% annually. https://blog.yaleappliance.com/most-reliable-induction-ranges

I will be talking to an appliance dealer in our area who is recommended by my kitchen designer about which appliances they will service.

Note @wdccruise's comment up-thread. Once one cuts stone for a particular induction cooktop, one either has to stick with similar sized units (maybe only the same manufacturer's will fit), cut a bigger hole if applicable (some dust involved), or have a "picture-frame" like sheet metal assembly fabricated to put a smaller cooktop in place of the failed larger one.

In the interest of planning ahead, the OP may want to construct an updated version of the 2015 era table I built when trying to decide on a replacement for the failed Kenmore cooktop. This was done using the manufacturers' installation guides, generally downloadable, but limited to those that might fit. Note in particular the cut-out sizes of the selected units. The Bosch had about the same surface size, but the cut-out requirement was smaller leading one to wonder if it would be supported in the Kenmore cut-out or some (hidden is possible in this case) added support would be required. (Click to expand.)

Also of interest w.r.t. the heat source under the cooktop when a range is used, my cabinet space under my cooktop (and also under my Cooktek induction wok) is open, with metal pull-out racks for pot and pan storage, thus making the entire air volume available for cooktop cooling if needed.

" For example, the GE profile range has a failure rate of 12.6% annually. https://blog.yaleappliance.com/most-reliable-induction-ranges"

No, you are misinterpreting the data. The figures are for the first year only and only for appliances sold and serviced by Yale. The data do not predict long-term reliability. Also Yale does not sell (or service) popular brands such as Frigidaire or Samsung, making it data less useful.

Thanks for the clarification.