Thank you. I know this is a caring community. You're right: I *do* love all my little purr-sonalities!
P.S. Sorry about the multiple comment post. Couldn't find a way to delete them.
I understand the concerns you've raised. I've tried various things to over the past 6 years to dissuade him - mostly because it is a definite safety issue. Foil doesn't frighten him and water is only temporary inconvenience as far as he's concerned. Tried noisemakers too.
Unfortunately, I didn't adopt him until he was 4 years old so I just watch him very carefully.
A water gun too. Mine go up on every surface in the house without exception, except the stove! They learned VERY early on that's the one place they NEVER go!
I agree. You should really discourage this behavior what ever it takes. One thing I've heard to diacourage cats from counters is aluminum foil. Lay some out every day when you're not using the stove so that if he jumps up there the noise scares him. You can keep reusing the same foil every day until he learns its is a scary place to be.