Hi Bill, we have a propane 3 burner counter top with a Sharp microwave, convection, broiler combination. We carry 1 30 lb gas can and 1 20 lb back-up we usually get 6 month on the 30lb one. As we run every load off the battery bank we never have to worry about starting the genset for a load. It happens automatically when the bank voltage drops top 12.0 volts the genset starts. We also use a pressure cooker which makes lots of meals take only a few minutes on gas. Plus the electric slow cooker which is a great aid. Toss food into it and 4-5 hours later its ready to eat. I couldn't tell you which is more efficient at which task only that Nancy uses what she thinks is the easiest to make a given meal. I'd rather she be happy than for me to worry about how to save power. Besides the dishwasher eats as much power as does the cooking ;-) Then we have to make that water......and keep the food cold...... Damn Bill now you've got me worrying about how much power, in joules, it takes to keep the food cold, prepare it, cook it, clean up the mess and start over in a few hours........wow that's to green for me ;-) As always YMMV.... Dave & Nancy Swan Song Roughwater 58 Limin in Honolulu