Not many people appreciate the value of a portable generator. If you are looking to get one, you are one of a select few.
You are even rarer if you have a specific taste for natural gas-powered generators — it is reflective of a conscious effort to preserve the environment. Of course, natural gas portable generators have other personal benefits as well, with less risk of poisoning from inhaling dangerous gases.
And portable generators can be applied to several tricky situations. Like when you are at risk of losing electric power to storms when you can’t risk blackouts for medical reasons or just for fun outings in your RV, these machines are what you turn to.
Best Natural Gas Portable Generator – Top 5 Products to Buy on Amazon
DuroMax XP10000E Gas Powered Portable Generator
Available in either blue or black colour, the DuroMax XP10000E is a powerhouse. The body is made entirely out of metal, with two solid wheels to ease transportation once it is attached. It has an engine powered by natural gas.
It is capable of carrying a maximum power load of 10000 starting watts and 8000 running watts. This is enough to run power-hungry devices like air conditioners, pumps, medical equipment, refrigerators, and amperage power tools.
This DuroMax model has multiple outlets, four in total. While all four can supply 120V of power independently, two can also supply 240V of power — specifically for heavy-duty appliances. The XP10000E has an electric current supply range from 20-50A, making it a very versatile machine that can be used for almost every need you can think of.
Each outlet has a different model design which receives plugs from most appliances. Two of the outlets have a twist lock that provides additional physical security for 30A appliances. And that is in addition to the circuit breaker protection on each outlet.
The running time is a bit of a complex topic. While it is marketed as having 20 hours run time at the full tank (8.3 Gal), the running time goes significantly lower with more power. Therefore, when you power a load close to 8000W, you won’t be getting more than 10 hours out of it. 10 hours, however, is still a significant running time, especially for that much load.
Pros:
- Versatile usage
- Long-running time
- Sturdy build
- Durable materials with electrical protections
- Surge arrest protection
- Electric start with battery
- Easier transportation on wheels
Cons:
- It lacks a noise muffler
Generac GP17500E Portable Generator
Generac touches all the base factors needed in a portable generator in the model. And they have done an excellent job of it. The exterior has a minimal frame with interconnected rods forming the engine and the gas tank frame. These tubes are made of hardened steel that supports the generator for easy transport and gives shape to the machine’s internal parts.
It is fitted with a customized version of the OHV engine from Generac called the OHVI. In addition to providing a tremendous amount of power — 17500W (and 26250 starting watts) — this engine is also one of the most durable engines you will find in a portable generator.
The generator has a tank capacity of 16 gallons, which provides the large fuel reserve needed to power the heavy 992cc OHVI engine. When you run the generator at half the maximum load capacity, you can get 10 solid hours out of your portable generator. This duration reduces with increasing load.
The OVHI engine also reduces the overall noise made by the heavy-duty engine. This is further amplified when you use the idle control feature, though nothing near the quiet you will get from a muffler-fitted generator.
The idle control feature is one of the in-built contingencies. Another is the low-oil shutdown and the hour meter. Together they help maximize the lifespan of the engine and conserve fuel consumption.
There is another issue of weight. As should be expected, an engine this powerful holds its own under gravity. Thankfully it has robust wheels that can help you move it when you need to.
Pros:
- High load capacity
- Durable engine
- In-built engine protections
- Sturdy frame and quality materials
- Versatile application
- Large fuel tank
Cons:
- Difficult to transport
- It consumes a lot of fuel
- Mediocre running time
- Noisy operation
DuroMax XP8500E Gas Powered Portable Generator
When you don’t need to power multiple heavy wattage devices but want to make sure you have enough juice, the XP8500E is the generator you need. It is available in either blue or black like the XP10000E above.
This model supplies a maximum starting power of 8500 watts and a running power that adds up to 7000 watts.
Here’s more, it is capable of powering both household devices and construction tools. It is relatively lightweight, weighing just 129 pounds. It is equipped with sturdy wheels for transport. It makes it most effective when you are moving around a lot like camping or for service providers.
It runs on a 420cc OHV engine with spark ignition for quick start-up. Like its predecessors, this model has 4 outlets, each of which supplies 120V of power at 20A. An additional outlet is capable of generating 240V or 120V of power at 30A. It is also the outlet with the twist lock to secure plugs in its socket.
Surge control keeps the voltage under check to protect delicate devices like your phones and your TV. It features modern protocols that help you prolong the engine life, including idle control, reducing fuel consumption. Its tank can hold 7.9 gallons of fuel, which gives a maximum run time of 11.5 hours.
Pros:
- Relatively cheaper
- Fuel efficient
- Versatile usage
- Spark start
- Easy continuous transportation
- Surge arrest technology
- Durable build
Cons:
- Limited load capacity
- Noisy operation
Durostar DS10000E Gas Powered Portable Generator
You can think of the DS10000E as a more silent version of the Duromax XP10000E. It has a compact build with a neat design. It carries an 8.3-gallon fuel tank that gives 10 hours of run time on a 50% load.
On top of that, this best natural gas portable generator feels lighter and can be easily moved around by a single person, using the two front wheels and handles. These wheels are designed to handle multiple terrains conveniently if you need them on a camping trip or for RVs.
Its 440cc,18HP engine is capable of handling a wide variety of equipment and appliances. It is designed to be used as a mobile workhouse, so you won’t have any trouble running refrigerators or other power-hungry devices, as well as heavy-duty tools. It features 5 power outlets, with a maximum electric current of 50A and a voltage of 120/240V, that allows you to power working tools just as well as home appliances.
You will find its surge protection feature needs insurance against unexpected changes in voltage that could damage your appliances. You also get the idle control that reduces the engine’s speed when it is not running at full capacity, simultaneously cutting down the fuel usage.
Pros:
- Durable build
- Reliable engine
- Fuel-efficient operation
- In-built engine protections
- Versatile usage
Cons:
- Limited load capacity
Generac GP5500 Gas Powered Portable Generator
This is cheaper than the other machine we have gone through so far, with a similar run time of about 10 hours at 50% of the load. The tank has a capacity of 6.7 gallons. Unfortunately, this is not much given how little power it generates in the first place, and also considering that this number goes down significantly with a mounting load.
This light generator features a proportional engine that can only handle so much load at once. While it can handle many home appliances and will be a suitable partner for an RV trip, it is not built to handle high-powered tools.
It has a solid build, with a network of tube cradles made of hardened steel that holds the fuel tank at the top, giving it a box-like appearance. It features a multi-terrain wheel capable of grinding through most surfaces with ease. On the opposite end of the wheels are foldable handles used to generate the pushing force to move it.
Its 389cc OHV engine has splash lubrication that ensures it lasts years of active usage. The electronics are covered with a circuit breaker for safeguarding. Its lack of CARB certification means it can’t be used in California.
Pros:
- Light and easy transportation
- Durable build
- Reliable engine
- Efficient fuel consumption
- In-built engine protection
Cons:
- Limited fuel tank capacity
- Limited load capacity
- Mediocre run time
- It cannot be used in California
Key Factors to Consider When Shopping for the Best Natural Gas Portable Generators
Here’s a list of factors to be checked when you are looking to buy a natural gas portable generator:
Runtime
The question is, how long will the generator run uninterrupted? The answer is a combination of many different factors in the generator itself. The fuel capacity is the first component implicated, as a larger tank will provide a longer run time.
But this is not always a precise measure, as the huge load can significantly reduce the operation duration. Regardless, a good benchmark for portable generators is 10-hours.
Load Capacity
Generators have different maximum wattage they can carry at once. What you need will depend on what you need to power. You should take note of the required wattage required by your heaviest appliances and add them together.
It should be noted that there are usually two different wattages needed for heavy-duty appliances and tools, that is the starting wattage (which is generally higher) and the running wattage. The load capacity also directly impacts the overall weight of the generator, other than the added cost.
Transportation
A crucial component of “portable generators” is the ease at which they can be moved from one place to another. The ease of transportation is affected by the generator’s weight, which in turn is proportional to the maximum load capacity. Strong wheels with a multi-terrain design will ease transportation and provide additional support to the generator.
Durability
Since portable generators are significant investments that are not constantly in use, they should last long. This starts with the engine with protective features like low-oil shutdown to protect it from damage. It is worth investing in overhead valve (OHV) engines for their rugged durability.
Additional Features
Features like alternators, power surge protection, and multiple outlets will make your life easy. They give the generator versatility that gives it a wider range of use. Surge protection protects smaller devices like phones or television sets from damage in case of a surge in the voltage.
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Conclusion
Unlike diesel or petrol-powered generators, the best natural gas portable generators will require you to have a standby gas tank for easy refuelling.
It also requires more care; tanks can quickly freeze in cold temperatures making it impossible to use its fuel. Larger fuel tanks are less susceptible to acting out under low temperatures, not to mention they provide your generators running for longer.
Every product reviewed here has been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Your locality may require additional certification, which you should confirm before making purchases.
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