We dropped a heavy cutting board on our glass gas cooktop and it formed a large star-crack that extended to the edges like little pie wedges. I glued them together. That worked for a couple of years, but constant cleaning has pulled them apart. I just pat them back into place. I thought about buying a replacement, but just haven't done it. I like the glass but no one seems to make them anymore. I think you can live with it until you decide what you want to do. I think mine is going on 10 years.

Keep it until it bothers you then buy the induction. Other than being unsightly I don’t see any harm coming from the cracked glass.

" Is it a good excuse to get induction, even before our kitchen remodel which we have not even begun to plan and set a budget for?"

I wouldn't do that unless you are absolutely sure that the replacement would fit in the existing cutout. Have you measured its length and width?

I'd do it. Induction is such a performance speed upgrade. That would be the main benefit. Besides the ease of cleaning. You can also consider a unit that requires a larger cut-out. Extra effort, but doable.

Hmm, I hadn’t thought about the cutout. I wonder if the installer would handle or manage that? We would use Abt, they are in our area, and they did slightly enlarge the cutout for our wall oven (though they clearly are not carpenters).

I recently replaced an old radiant electric cooktop with a new induction. I fortunately had the specs for the old one and my contractor compared those with the specs for the new one and determined the new one would fit in the cutout. He was right - worked out great - no problem. I would find a good tradesperson with experience doing this kind of thing and would not rely on Abt.