What is a Dual Fuel Generator?
We live in an energy-filled world. You need electricity to do just about everything, from cooking food to communicating with friends and family. While you can generally rely on service providers and power grids for your electricity, you may find yourself at a time or place without the necessary for your electronics. You may be camping, working onsite, dealing with a power outage, or experiencing bad weather.
That’s where a portable generator comes in, providing you with peace of mind knowing that you have power wherever you go. When choosing the right type of generator, it’s important to know if you’re looking for home backup generators, recreational generators, or a jobsite generators.
You have a wide range of options and factors to consider, and DuroMax Dual Fuel generators may be a great option for your needs. What is a Dual Fuel Generator, exactly? Read on to learn more.
Understanding Dual Fuel Generators
Dual Fuel generators are versatile power units that can run on two different types of fuel – gasoline and propane. This dual capability offers significant advantages, such as increased flexibility in fuel choice and extended run times, since users can switch to the most available or cost-effective fuel option.
These generators are designed to provide a reliable power source during emergencies, outdoor activities, or in areas where access to a single type of fuel may be limited.
DuroMax Dual Fuel Generators allow you to switch between the two fuel types with a simple turn of a knob.
Propane or Gas?
Propane and gasoline each have their own advantages and disadvantages. While there is nothing necessarily wrong with a single fuel gasoline or propane generator, a Dual Fuel generator allows you to make use of both fuel types depending on the situation. This gives you the best of both worlds:
Power Output
Gasoline gives you more power than propane. This generally means that you will get more electrical power output from gas than you would the same amount of propane.
Climate and Temperature
Gasoline is believed to burn better in colder climates, performing better in freezing temperatures, whereas propane performs better in hotter temperatures.
Storage
One of the biggest drawbacks to gasoline is that it’s difficult to store. Gasoline will degrade within just a few months, so if you do have gasoline stored, you need to use it sooner rather than later to get the most out of it.
For long-term storage, you may need to add stabilizers, which typically adds costs to usage. Gasoline is also more dangerous to store. Most cities have codes that limit the total amount of gas that you can store as high amounts can make for a fire hazard. Most fire codes restrict the amount of gas you can store at home to less than 25 gallons.
In contrast, regarding their fuel tank and shelf life, propane is more stable as a fuel source. It has a longer shelf life that is closer to a few decades without degradation and a propane tank generally allows for greater safety.
Clean Burning
As anyone who owns a car knows, gasoline doesn’t burn particularly clean. It contributes to fumes, pollutions, toxins, and carbon monoxide. While it isn’t completely free of emissions, propane does release less pollution and carbon monoxide into the air because it naturally has a lower carbon content. This allows for cleaner burning.
Price
Gasoline prices continue to rise. Keep in mind that gas burns faster, and it is less stable than propane. Propane burns slower, and its long shelf life means that you don’t have to pay to refuel as often.
Maintenance
Gasoline tends to leave carbon deposits in your generator. If the gas has been sitting in your generator for a few weeks, it can also turn gummy and produce residue throughout the system, making it harder to clean out. Propane generally does not contribute to these types of issues.
Why Buy a Dual Fuel Generator?
The main advantage of a Dual Fuel generator is the ability to use two different fuel sources. That adds peace of mind, along with more flexibility with using your generator.
Preparedness
When you’re dealing with a sudden power outage or natural disaster, you may not always have enough of a singular fuel to maintain your generator. With a Dual Fuel generator, you have more options, ensuring that you are prepared even if you haven’t been stockpiling gas or propane.
This becomes even more important in areas that commonly experience inclement weather. Natural disasters can block roads and make it harder to access fuel sources. You may not be able to drive to the corner gas station.
Longer Runtime
The flexibility of two different fuel sources naturally means you can keep the generator running for longer periods of time. When you run out of gas, you can simply switch to propane to keep your power going, or vice versa.
Peace of Mind
Even if you are normally someone who operates their generator with just one fuel type, a Dual Fuel generator gives you peace of mind. For example, you can make propane your main fuel, but if you do run out of propane, you can switch to gas. You essentially always have a backup option that can keep your electricity running.
DuroMax Dual Fuel Generators
At DuroMax, we have a variety of portable dual fuel generators for all of your needs. Are you ready to use your generator during a power outage? Our generators are reliable and ready for any emergency!
