I have a Kitchenaid Superba KESC307 ceramic top slide-in range
(convection, digital oven controls).

Our family originally used it for 3-4 years and then it ended up in a
rental unit. The first renter had no problems for 2 years (related to
the stove anyway) and the second renter has now broken 2 of the
ceramic tops in less than 2 years (kudos to the renter for replacing
it the first time). Also one of the heating elements is burned out.

A repairman said it was possible the bezel around the ceramic top was
too tight and during heating/expansion it caused the glass to crack.
Is this possible after 8 years that the bezel has become too tight? As
it is a slide-in range, it is sliding into a "just big enough" space
between two tile counter tops. The same repairman said it was ok to
use iron skillets on ceramic tops, but I have heard otherwise. It is
possible the renter used iron skillets, but they gave me a somewhat
obscure answer to that question.

My main question are,
Do you have suggestion for finding a lower-cost replacement for the
ceramic top - perhaps a cross-reference to a "lower-end" brand than
Kitchenaid that uses the same top.

And should I replace the bezel too?

I would hate to take the $1200 stove to the dump, but I don't want to
spend $300+ to fix something that will just break again in a few
months. I realize there are no guarantees.

Thank you,
Christopher

PS: I posted a question on AR speakers back in 2007, and I never
replied to the posts. So, a very belated thank you to William, Ross
and Greg.