Should an "oven-less" MH (convection microwave with stove top burners) be a deal breaker for me?
It definitely was/is a deal breaker for us. In several motorhomes we gave up the extra space under the range to have a propane oven added. In each case it was installed by the factory because we didn't buy "off the lot." I use the propane oven all the time, as well as the others. I agree they do not bake as evenly as stick-and-brick ovens, but if you use double-thickness cookie sheets (sometimes called air bake) under your casserole dish, they cook more evenly.
I've tried using only the stovetop and microwave convection oven and don't like it at all. It simply does not suit our needs. We have a Sharp convection-microwave and I've attended many Sharp seminars to learn to use it. Sometimes I have something in the propane oven, something in the microwave and/or convection, and something on the stovetop burner. In other words I can and do use all three at the same time - just like I do at home.
We're not much for BBQing and don't even carry one anymore so that means we don't grilll outside. That in turn means we have to do all our cooking inside - which we happen to prefer anyway. We don't like meat cooked in the microwave alone, but the convection sensor cook does a wonderful job on things like a pork roast.
There are distinct advantages and disadvantages of each one. When we're boondocking, the generator has to be turned on to use the convection/microwave so I tend to use the propane oven when we're boondocking. In the winter when it's colder it's nice to use the propane oven for baking because it has the added bonus of getting some extra heat into motorhome. On the other hand, during the summer when it's really hot I tend to use the convection oven more. It puts out heat, but not as much as the propane oven.
There's another aspect to this question. I think the manufacturers believe (know?) that RVers like to eat out a lot so they figure they don't need more cooking facilities. To some extent this may be true, but not for everyone. We eat out a lot, but I cook equally as much in the motorhome, depending on where we are, who we're with, and what restaurants are nearby.
So, as you can see this is a very personal decision - just like everything else in RVing. If you think you need a propane oven, then you probably do and you should either get an RV that has one already installed or one that is propane-oven-ready.
Binary Bob - By the way, I probably use the convection and microwave parts of our combo somewhat equally. We use the microwave part for heating coffee and cooking some vegetables. We use the convection part for baking. I definitely would buy a combination unit and not just a plain microwave. In fact we did just that for the house. I got the same Sharp combo as in the motorhome so I could use them both in the same way.
ArdraF