Electricity is the greatest invention that could ever exist, and we rely on it on a daily basis. However, when there is a blackout, the first thing that comes to mind is power alternatives. Generators are highly dependable whenever the power is out, or when you go camping, hiking, or on picnics.
There is no shortage of these products on the market, and some of the decent units come in various sizes, capacities, and with many features. If you are unsure of what to look for when scouting for the best dual fuel generator, here are reviews and a guide to the top rated portable fuel generators available.
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BEST PORTABLE DUAL FUEL GENERATOR 2024
Champion 3800-Watt Generator – Best Overall Dual Fuel Portable Generator
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The Champion 3800-Watt Portable Generator is among the best rated dual fuel generators available on the market. This particular unit is powered both by propane and gas.
It is a powerful machine with a starting power of 4750 watts, and the ability to run for a maximum of 9 hours with 3800 watts.
Being a dual fuel generator it is versatile, and to get the most out of it, you can switch the tank with a 20-pound propane tank. Hence, you can have it running for up to 10 hours or more. The machine is electric and it comes equipped with a touch start.
Measuring 22.3 by 22 by 30.7 inches, the unit incorporates a battery, and it is backed by a three-year warranty. One of its other selling points is its ability to be used on different 120V outlets. It weighs 122 pounds, making it machine good choice for RVs and households. This product is all you need to make your life even better.
It is made of steel, but with electronic components made of plastic. Equipped with a wheel kit, moving the generator around is easy. Also included are an instruction manual and a hose. It also features a volt guard and safety fuel select switch to ensure your safety. This feature protects you and the machine itself; starting it bone dry may cause the engine to fail for good.
One drawback is that you might think twice about buying the Champion 3800-Watt Generator because of its price as it is fairly expensive. Some dual fuel portable generator reviews also cite that the product tends to get loud.
Pros
- Comes with a powerful engine
- Can be used on two different types of outlets
- It has a battery
- Versatile for RVs and most household applications
- Backed by a 3 year warranty
Cons
- Some users claim it tends to get a bit noisy
- Some users report the unit has a risk of oil loss
- It is expensive
Westinghouse 4650 Peak Watt – Best Dual Fuel Generator with the Best Run Time
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If you are looking for an excellent generator for home and road use, the Westinghouse 4650 Peak Watt Portable Generator is a good match. The unit is user-friendly, easy to set up, and comes ready to use right out of the box. With a control panel that is conveniently laid out, this unit is very versatile. It is a good choice if you want a power unit for emergency purposes.
This particular generator runs on both propane and gas to make it even more convenient. With a power peak of 4650 watts and a rated wattage of 3600 on gasoline, it is sufficient for many appliances in your home or RV. The running wattage while using propane is 3240. The runtime is highly commended at 12 hours on 50 percent load on gas. This means that the generator is efficient and will save you lots of cash.
The generator measures 23.3 by 17.5 by 18.5 inches and weighs 109 pounds. This size might seem heavy to carry around, which is true, however it comes with a wheel kit that enables you to move it from one place to another. Also, a lot of this weight is from the strong steel frame that surrounds the generator. It gives it a long life and protects the internal components including the fuel tank. Starting it is also quite easy as it comes with an electric start.
It comes with several outlets including 5-20R 120V duplex outlets, an RV ready 30A outlet, and a 12V charging port. Moreover, these power outlets have rubber protection covers and circuit breakers. You can also switch the fuel mode with a simple large dial meant specifically for that task.
verall, the generator is solidly built. Apart from the few complaints about it failing to work for some individuals, it comes highly recommended. If it had more outlets, including the 240V, it would be a complete product. Nevertheless, it is good value for the money.
Pros
- It comes with adapters to use with your RV
- Comes with a plug and play kit and a manual for proper use
- It has a convenient control panel
- The run time is excellent
- The generator comes with wheels for easy movement
Cons
- Some users complain that it stopped working after a while
- Some users wish it had more outlets
Champion 3500-Watt Portable Inverter Generator – Best Dual Fuel Generator for Home Appliances
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In terms of versatility, nothing comes close to the Champion 3500-Watt Portable Generator. It is very convenient for use at home, in your RV, or whenever you are on the move. This dual fuel generator runs on gas and propane. It is a quiet choice for your camping trip and it makes the perfect generator to own in case of emergencies.
Starting this generator is very easy. It comes with a battery and it features a push button electric start, which is much better than the conventional pull start types. Also, the Champion 3500-Watt Portable Inverter Generator has a starting power of 3500 watts. Nevertheless, it can run continuously for 12 hours on a full tank. To increase its capacity, you can run it on 20 pounds of propane fuel for 14+ hours. Conveniently, it includes a safety fuel selector switch that ensures the machine runs only when it has sufficient fuel.
The Champion 3500-Watt Portable Inverter Generator measures 24.9 by 22.9 by 22.9 inches with a weight of 120.1 pounds. This makes it ideal for portability, a factor which is also enhanced by its included wheels. Like other models of its caliber, this unit comes with two 120V power outlets. For your RV, you can use the 30Amp outlet, while to power your household appliances, you can use the 20Amp outlet. It provides clean power and is safe to its immediate surroundings.
The purchase of this generator comes with Champion support: the 3-year limited warranty. Moreover, you get to enjoy free technical support for life! One of the reasons this product is loved is its convenient touch panel. It brings all the functional controls together for ease of operation. It runs smoothly without disturbing the neighbors.
Despite its benefits, it does have some drawbacks. For instance, to conveniently wheel it around, you need to hold it at a specific angle. If you don’t, the bottom part will scrape the ground, making mobility difficult. Similarly, it might not be the ideal option for individuals who power lots of appliances in their homes as it doesn’t provide sufficient power for that. Other than that, it is still one of the most versatile units you can find around.
Pros
- The generator comes with a built-in inverter, making it ideal for most electronics
- It can be used in an RV and for home use
- It runs smoothly and quietly
- It has a reliable engine
Cons
- Mobility is a bit of a challenge
- Doesn’t produce sufficient power for every appliance in the house
DuroMax XP12000EH – Best Generator for Versatility
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If you are looking for a high power unit adequate to fuel all your house, RV, business, tailgating, and camping needs, this is the generator to go with. It comes with a powerful engine that will last for years. The unit is a versatile machine with so much potential. It features a compact design that makes a statement the first time you set your eyes on it.
One of the biggest advantages of this generator is the option to choose the type of fuel you desire. It runs on gasoline and propane. It comes with a starting power of a massive 15000 watts, and a continuous power of 12000 watts. What this means is that it provides power for virtually anything in your home. At 50 percent load, it will run for 10 hours on gasoline. While running on propane, the hours double to 20 on a full tank.
This incredible generator has an electric start with a battery, and it measures 28 by 30 by 40 inches, and it weighs 269 pounds. It is very heavy, and some might argue about its portability. Were it not for its wheel kit, you would have a hard time moving this heavy generator from one place to another. It also features a metal frame that makes lifting or pushing it around easier.
Apart from the convenient control panel, the low-oil shutdown, noise mufflers, and other amazing features, it is equipped with several outlets. The DuroMax XP12000EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator has 2 regular 120V outlets, a 120V/240V outlet, and a 30A 120V outlet ready for RVs.
The only problem you might encounter with this particular generator is the noise. Although it comes with mufflers, the noise is still hard to ignore. It also isn’t CARB compliant, not to mention how heavy it is. Also worth noting is that the battery power fluctuates. Consequently, it isn’t very affordable, but its amazing features outweigh these disadvantages.
Pros
- The unit is highly durable
- It is very powerful and capable of powering most electronics. The generator can power up to 10 appliances at the same time
- Comes with all the necessary accessories
Cons
- Not CARB compliant
- It is very heavy
- It isn’t very affordable
- Some users complain of a leaking tank
WEN DF475T – Best Dual Fuel Generator for Those on a Budget
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The WEN DF475T Dual Fuel Electric Start Generator is an excellent choice for any emergency backup or camping situation. With its powerful 224cc air-cooled OHV engine, this generator is able to provide up to 4750 surge watts of power from gasoline and 4350 surge watts from propane.
Additionally, the electric start system makes it incredibly easy to get up and running, with the simple turn of a key. The integrated voltage selector allows you to switch between 120V and 240V depending on your needs, while the 4-gallon fuel tank provides up to 11 hours of half load run time. And with its wheel and handle kit plus 47-inch LPG hose, the DF475T is easily portable. Furthermore, this generator includes automatic voltage regulation and overload protection for enhanced safety. All in all, the WEN DF475T Dual Fuel Electric Start Generator is a great choice for any power needs.
On the negative side, the generator doesn’t come with an electric start. Being conventional, it features a pull start system. Another concern is that it doesn’t come with wheels, which restricts its portability.
Pros
- Electric start system for easy setup
- Multiple voltage options (120V, 240V and 12V DC)
- 4 gallon fuel tank provides up to 11 hours of half load run time
- Includes 47 inch LPG hose and wheel/handle kit for portability
- Automatic voltage regulator and overload protection for enhanced safety
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other models
Champion 8000-Watt Dual Fuel Generator – Best High Power Generator for RVs and Home Appliances
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If you are looking to have a comfortable home without worry of a power outage, the Champion 8000-Watt Dual Fuel Generator is ideal. The unit produces lots of power, enough for everything in your home, not to mention that its assembly is very easy. It is highly reliable, dependable, and user-friendly.
Its powerful engine is started by a convenient toggle switch, and with the included battery, it gets running right out of the box. Being a dual fuel generator, it uses propane and gasoline. Unlike the other generators above, the starting power is 10000 watts and the continuous running power is 8000 watts on gasoline. Running on propane, the starting watts is 9025 and the running watts 7250. The runtime is 8 hours on 50 percent load on a 6.1-gallon fuel tank, and on 20lbs of propane, it will run for 5 hours on a 50 percent load.
The Champion 8000-Watt Dual Fuel Generator measures 27.8 by 22 by 23.2 inches and it weighs 210 pounds. Without the included wheels, moving it around would be a big challenge. This dual fuel unit has lots of outlets. It comes with 30A locking outlets for 120V and 240V, and four 120V 20A outlets for use with your home appliances. Other additional features for the protection of the unit and most of your electronics include a Volt Guard and an Intellligauge. This feature monitors the voltage, the runtime, as well as the hertz together with maintenance levels.
Included with the purchase are an oil funnel, an LPG hose, engine oil, and a wheel kit. The 3-year warranty is a good deal, not to mention the technical support you get for a lifetime. The only problems you might encounter include its weight and the noise. It produces more noise than most generators on the market. This, however, is a trade-off, considering the amount of power it produces and how efficient it is.
Also, considering its amount of power, it is a bit pricey. Nevertheless, it makes a good investment that shouldn’t be passed.
Pros
- The generator is very powerful
- Features an easy to start electrical system
- Highly dependable for all household appliances as well as an RV
- It has a metal frame for protection
Cons
- It is heavy
- Noise is a bit of an issue
- Not very affordable
Buyer’s Guide
If you want one of the best dual fuel portable generators on the market, there are several considerations you need to pay attention to. It doesn’t matter whether you are looking for a generator for tailgating, camping, for your RV, or other needs, the following are some of the things you should look for.
Power Needs
One of the most important things to consider is your power needs. For instance, the type of electrical appliances you have greatly influences your choice of dual fuel generator. If you don’t have a refrigerator, a cooker, and a range of other power consuming products available, you don’t need a high power dual fuel unit. Choose one that is ideal for all your needs.
Is It Fuel Efficient?
The last thing you want to do is buy a machine that consumes more fuel than you can afford. If you spend a lot on gasoline or propane for your unit, it is not worth having. Choose one that is highly fuel efficient. It should be economical, energy saving, and with a consumption rate of 8 hours or more on a full tank with half the load. Anything less than this might cost you more than you can imagine, especially if you are planning to use it a lot.
Is It Durable?
Any generator termed ‘best dual fuel generator’ should last at least 6 years. The durability is determined by the overall structure and the engine. The amount of horsepower determines the load the unit will be able to carry. The most preferred types of engines are the OHV types. While considering durability, ensure that it comes with a metal frame that protects the tank and the unit itself.
Portability
While you are in the market to buy a generator, ensure that it doesn’t weigh so much that you are unable to lift it off the ground. It should have wheels to make movement more convenient. While you’re at it, consider the measurements. It shouldn’t be so bulky that you can’t place it anywhere you want.
Noise
Noise is annoying, if not for you then certainly for your neighbors. Consider the decibels the unit you are purchasing has. There are some that are considerably quiet. Aim for those types of generators.
User-Friendliness
The preferable type of generator is those with electric starts. Compared to the conventional pull types, the simple touch starter is best. It should be convenient for most of your household appliances. However, there are times when both start types come in handy. Should the electric start fail, the pull start is helpful.
FAQs
• Why choose this type of generator?
When facing the problem of a power outage, having an emergency power unit is the solution. According to Total Energy Solutions, this power unit can be used during emergencies and it is safe for the environment. Weather conditions like hurricanes, typhoons, and other kinds of storms regularly knock the power out. This is usually the main reason why most people buy these units. Sometimes, you may buy them for camping or tailgating, among other outdoor activities
Using Dual Fuel Generators
• Strive to ensure that the machine is kept in running order. Keep enough oil and filters and keep it properly maintained.
• Make use of the trigger valve. This feature offers you the control you desire when you are feeding fuel to the engine.
• Always inspect and ensure that the power unit is properly maintained. This way, it won’t disappoint you when you need it most.
• Use a heavy-duty power cord.
• Remember that safety is mandatory. Don’t start the generator when the fuel is low or when the tank is empty.
Conclusion
Dual fuel generators are becoming increasingly popular. They come in handy in many situations, and with the ability to use either propane or gasoline, which are readily available, you can be assured of having sufficient power when an emergency strikes. With these machines, flexibility and adaptability are no longer an issue.
Whichever the case, choose a dual fuel unit that fits all your power needs, one that can be easily moved around, and being budget-friendly goes a long way in ensuring that you save a lot on energy bills. One such product is the Westinghouse WGen3600DF. It is the best choice if you are torn between choices.
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