Clarabelled - I don't know why you said you can only find 2 ranges that can be converted to LP. I did a search on the ajmadison website, and sorted for 30" range, slide-in, and then checked the box for "LP conversion". I came up with 15 all-gas ranges, all but 2 of which were in the $2000 price or lower. And there are 10 dual fuel choices, with 3 in your budget. I don't recommend a dual fuel. You get much more bang for the buck with an all-gas range, and you have a $2000 budget. Plus the idea that electric ovens are superior to gas is an old holdover from pre-1990's technology. That idea has been debunked with current all-gas ovens, with their electronic ignitors and better insulation. Also, I agree with previous poster's opinion on OTRs. Ditch the OTR. Here is a link that might be useful: 30-inch slide-in ranges LP-convertible on ajmadison website This post was edited by shannonplus2 on Sat, Sep 28, 13 at 17:07

Hi, thanks for all your replies, the mw is a GE JVM1790. It works well to dissipate the steam from the stovetop and keeps it from condensing on the bottom of the MW, but it is so loud. As far as asking the "contractor", that would be my husband and he is not happy when I discuss this problem, however, I did have someone out recently to look at the cooktop (it "clicks" continually on one burner) and he is the one who told me it would be significantly quieter to have it vented outside. Cambro5: it sounds like our mw's are in the same exact spot and we also took out our soffits above the cabinets, I am considering using some kind of decorative covering over the vent duct so it doesn't take over the space, I think the ducting only needs to be 6" in diameter... hhhmmm....what to do...will keep you posted. thanks again for your input...

tednv, we have this combo and it's on our "get rid of" list. Now, your situation may be much different than ours, but here's why we want things to change here: This kitchen was originally (when we moved in in December of 2006) on an over-booked electric box. We decided that taking some strain off of the box by splicing from the fireplace gas line was a great idea (which it was!). We even spliced again a few weeks ago to have permanent gas line for an outdoor grill because of it. But when keeping a small OTR hood/micro combo over gas? Probably not a good idea. See that window? Yeah, about that...it's the only window out of 29 in the house that was never replaced by the previous owners (not that there's anything wrong with that, we knew what we were getting into with this older home, but I digress...). That's an original 1930-at-some-point-painted-onto-the-window-frame window. It offers no other ventilation to the kitchen. Here's another thing: we cook. A lot. Stinky stuff. Things that would make your mother cringe (I KID!) We do, however, cook chili and Low Country Boils often for crowds (they, to put it delicately, stink to high heaven for days afterward). Oh, and yes, our OTR is vented to the outdoors. If ventilation is what you are looking for, then look into other alternatives. I (half-jokingly) said in another thread the other day that the OTR was good for two things: melting butter and keeping the time, and I kinda mean it. Hey, we had a combo in our townhouse and never had issues (of course, everything was on an electric system there). Personally, I wouldn't recommend it if you're remodeling or starting from scratch. I'd much rather keep the gas range and spend some extra dollars on a decent range hood that can handle the grease, heat and odors that come from a stove (especially a gas range), but that's just me. Everyone and every locale is different, though. What works for you and your bank account is what matters, ultimately. Here's my lovely OTR combo and (non-working) window:

Any ideas on how to extend the original ceramic tile black splash to cover up the 6 inch space created by using the low profile OTR microwave? I have extra tile, but it was cut on a diagonal and I think it would be very difficult to match the split tile. Perhaps a small rectangular border in the same color as the tile (white)? It would serve as a transition between old tile and new. Ideas?