Bluestar. You will need to upgrade your ventilation by quite a bit to choose something more capable than the Samsung

The NXR Culinary series range you are interested in --- that is one of the "AK" model numbers such as the AK3001, right? I've had a 2d generation natural gas NXR (DRGB3001) for going on 12 years. While I have no hands on experience with NXR's current "Culinary" series ranges or the LP conversions, I can try to answer some of your questions.

>>>" If the power fails,the surface burners can be lighted manually if the power goes out?"<<<

Page 19 of the user guide says it can. It gives the following instruction: "Hold a lighted match near a burner and turn knob counterclockwise to 'HI'. After burner lights, turn knob to setting." (Good idea to find manuals online for any stove models you are considering and read the manuals.)

..." am concerned about it holding up ..."<<<

The NXR's are pretty basic as appliances. They have mostly been suitable for DIY repairs with generic replacement parts. That is good because their service network has been slim to non-existent. Whether you are interested in DIY repairing is another matter altogether. In past threads here on repairs/failures, the two most commonly reported problems with previous NXR models have been: (1) stovetop burner igniters that start clicking randomly and and (2) oven baking element igniters that wear out every few years. See, for example, this long running thread: susan-fixed-her-nxr-oven-ignitor-u-can-2.

>>>" How long does it take {for an NXR oven] to preheat to 400 or so? Is there a temperature guage, or can one be added?"<<<

As has often been explained here, most oven preheat indicators are often for bragging rights because they only measure oven air temperature rather than the heat radiating from the oven walls, Preheating the oven walls is the main factor in how steady the oven will be and is what takes time. On my older NXR, the oven temp sensor is positioned to give a pretty good read on wall temps instead of just air temps. My experience with that older NXR is that its oven takes a pretty standard 30 to 35 minutes to fully preheat to where it will hold a steady 400°F. FWIW, my NXR can also hold steady temperatures as low as 130°F. That's probably true for the AK3001 as the oven seems to be the same design.

There is no temperature gauge but you can add an inexpensive aftermarket oven thermometer. If you are into gadgets, you could look into digital probes made for grills and ovens. For example, the ThermoWorks company offers a digital "ChefAlarm" with a wired oven temp accessory that (at least IME) is pretty accurate for oven and bbq grill temps.

>>>Cleaning .... Drip trays<<<

There are no removable drip trays on my NXR model and I don't see references to any in the manual for the AK3001, either. As for general cleaning, I've found the deep wells around the top burners are deep enough that not much get baked on when spilled. I've found them mostly easy to clean with Windex and a microfiber cloth plus occasional resort to a blue scrubbie sponge and Barkeepers Friend. Once in a while, I use a stainless steel cleaner/polish like Weiman's. The stovetop has a number of seams which make it easy to take apart when needed but, on the other hand, those seams will collect gunk over time so you will have to take it apart from time to time to clean out the goo that eventually starts building up there.

>>>Five Star Ranges<<<

Five Star ranges have been pretty much the same for decades but their market share is small so there have been only a few threads on them here. I don't recall any discussion about LP models, but it would be worth trying a search if you haven't already done so. I last looked into Five Star's NG models (no LP, unfortunately) when I was stove shopping a decade and something ago. There was much to like but the aspects that I did not care for were the rather small oven size (around 3.5 cu. ft., IIRC) and having the broiler in a drawer below the oven. YMMV on how much those things matter.

DeWayne I have a Broan Elite that says 370 CFM. How much do I need? Please keep in mind that I would be get 30% less BTUS with LP than the NG versions of these stoves and that when I buy a Big Box range with a burner rated for 15,000 I get 12,000 and so on. So in the case of the NXR I only get a bit more than I would with Big Box on NG.

jwvideo Thank you so much for your very detailed response. Helps a lot! I would prefer the NXR and yes it is the AK3001LP. The price is much more in my budget and I just like the overall appearance and as you pointed out the oven size. I saw complaints elsewhere about the clicking and one person saying the burners were junk. I've seen various reviews talking about Pro Style as if they are so inferior. But they are comparing to Pro and I am comparing to Big Box.

Keep in mind that when I buy a Big Box range with a burner rated for 15,000 I get 12,000 and so on. So in the case of the NXR I only get a bit more than I would with Big Box on NG.