What a helpful bunch, hey? I had loads of questions too at first and sometimes still do, and no one here ever says anything to make me feel bad about writing in so frequently. So, no worries.
I do have the stove top cover, but find it tinny and unattractive and a bit of a pain to fold and unfold. I currently have a wood board on top of the stove top cover, which I find more useful and attractive. It's just an old top I had from one of those wood folding tv tables. The stove top cover does act as a protection for the wall when it's up, so that's a good thing. I use the solid surface sink covers leaning up against the back wall as a wall protector, for now until I put up some tiles or something. And I read a post where someone had the sink covers slip and knock a burning pot off the stove, so be careful with that idea.
That said, maybe I'll try doing without the tin stove top cover altogether. It lifts off easily. One less thing to clean. I can see where it would be a good idea to have it there if there's a chance that someone will accidentally turn on the burners before removing everything from the top. But I'd never do that, or would I??
now, Lorna, what did your mother teach you? never say never!! Oh, and perhaps there's a good reason to have the stove top cover when you're travelling?
Just noticed, as with almost everything, if you do a search you'll learn more than anyone needs to know about stove top covers or range covers.
Take good care - Lorna