When it comes to the classic propane vs gasoline generator debate, I’m often asked which I choose. Generators make for great electricity providers, especially during times of crisis. With power being one of the first utilities lost during a sudden disaster, how will you replace yours when it’s gone?
Disasters strike with little or no warning and when they do, they often leave a wake of damage in their path that many people struggle to survive. Preppers often find ingenious ways to keep life relatively normal during such an event, by preparing for the situation well in advance.
Although electricity isn’t at the top of many people’s lists, it may come as a shock when you suddenly lose the supply, leaving you with few alternatives.
Making sure you have an alternative source of power will ensure none of your valuable appliances stop working. Some people have a far greater reliance on electricity than others and not just to watch the weekend sports.
Why You Need Power During a Crisis
There’s so much more to electricity than just television. While the old box may provide a great source of entertainment, many other reasons exist to keep the power on.
One of the more important reasons might be medical equipment. If you or someone you love has a reliance on specific medical devices, a blackout could mean a life-and-death situation may arise.
There are also food storage appliances that you may have installed. Whilst refrigerators won’t take long to lose their cool, freezers will also quickly be unable to keep the food within them cold for very long. Freezers are great ways to store food and extend their shelf lives, but if the power supply stops, so does the freezing process.
There’s also the need for keeping communication channels open. HAM radios, chargers for cell phones and 2-way radios maybe just a few examples.
Having no up-to-date information may mean you miss out on vital directives which forewarn of further events. Imagine if you survive the earthquake, but have no idea about the tsunami that’s quickly closing in on your location.
Propane vs Gasoline Generator
Generators are a great option to consider for when the power cuts off. It’s like having your very own power plant, right there in your own backyard.
But when it comes to power generators, there are some hard choices to make when buying one, because they are not the same. While they may look the same, there are some pretty big differences to consider and you don’t want to choose the wrong type.
The 2 main options people generally consider are gasoline-powered generators and propane-powered ones. Whichever you choose, they are both worthy of your attention, but there may be a couple of differences that will see you prefer one over the other. Let me take you through a couple of those differences so you understand what you intend to buy.
Differences to Help with the Propane vs Gasoline Generator Debate
Difference #1: Price
Unfortunately, price always seems to factor in to these types of decisions and generators are no different. While it does come down to which type of model you choose, gasoline generators are cheaper than propane ones. But don’t just look at the different models and choose something you think you can afford.
First, make sure you understand what power output the generator has. It’s pointless choosing one that’s within your budget if it only has half the output capacity for what you require. Do your research and calculate your power needs based on what you intend to run off the generator.
Difference #2: Fuel
Propane and gasoline are 2 very different fuels. Each has its own pros and cons and this is another area you’ll need to think about when deciding which model to purchase.
Gasoline is much cheaper, but while the cost may be better, the shelf-life of gasoline isn’t. To keep your generator in top shape, any unused fuel needs removing every six months as the gas will go bad, where propane doesn’t.
You’ll be able to keep a much bigger supply of propane than gasoline, unless you keep a tank somewhere. Plus, if an event strikes, the chances that gas stations will stop operating are very high. Then there are the environmental effects of the fuel. Gas burns much dirtier than propane.
Difference #3: Portability
While propane generators generally get hooked up to a propane tank, gasoline generators are much more portable, holding their fuel tank internally. This means if the emergency forces you from your home or bug out location, your gas generator is easily transported in the back of your truck.
Final Thought
Whichever tank you choose, make sure it suits your specific situation. Buy one because that’s the one that ticks more boxes than the other. Don’t buy because of aesthetic appeal, sales pitches, or price alone.
