Propane vs Gas Generator: Which is best?
Fellow Patriots,
You may have noticed I have been posting a lot of information on different types of generators. I have had several readers asking and inquiring about which type to buy. Each purchase could be different based on location, need, and ability to effectively use the resource based on environment. So, here is another article discussing different types.
Propane vs Gas Generator: Which Is Best?
The Prepping Guide – Ben Brown - https://thepreppingguide.com/propane-vs-gas-generator-which-is-best/
Power generators can prove invaluable in times of crisis. Propane and gas generators are the most sought-after options, but which is better?
You probably live in a home powered by electricity. You rely on the electric company to power your lights, refrigeration, heat, and TV. While some things you can live without, like live football, other electricity-powered items are more essential. Having a generator on standby can be extremely useful if your primary electricity system fails. For preppers that live off the grid or have an established bug-out location, a generator is also crucial.
When shopping for generators, you’re likely to come across two main types: propane and gas. Here we’ll cover the pros and cons of each option to determine which is best.
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Propane Generators
Propane generators work much like any other type of generator by converting energy produced from the combustion of propane to create electricity. Propane is simply a by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. You can find propane generators in both standby and portable options which can be used to run a number of appliances and machinery if needed.
When used as fuel, propane can deliver a number of key benefits not found in other types of generator fuel. Propane is clean burning and has a relatively long shelf life. A propane tank with a 100-pound capacity or less has an average expiration date of 12 years from the manufacturer date. Once the tank has reached its expiration date, it will need to be replaced or inspected to determine if re-qualification is possible which can provide an additional five years of service.
Another major perk that comes with using a propane generator is that the supply of propane would not be disrupted if a natural disaster or similar emergency should occur. While you could expect the gas pumps to stop running after a short amount of time, the supply of propane should remain steady for much longer. Propane is stored in cylinders which not only makes it easy to access but also to store for the long-term.
While you can plan for the future, you never know how long or if you will ever need to use your generator. This means that your fuel could sit for many years untouched before you find a need to use it. What gives propane an advantage over other fuels like gasoline and diesel is that propane will not deteriorate. If kept in its original tank, it will also not become contaminated. This allows for the storage of larger volumes of the fuel without fear that it will deteriorate or become contaminated over time.
Propane is a clean and environmentally-friendly type of fuel that has low noise levels. The fuel burns cleanly, meaning it produces a low amount of carbon monoxide (CO) which in larger amounts can lead to suffocation. Carbon monoxide can also be harmful to plants and other living creatures. The very low amount of CO in propane makes the fuel far less harmful to humans and the environment.
Propane is generally stored in bulk cylinders or safe tanks which eliminates the risk of waste or spillage during storage and fill-ups. Unlike gasoline which is highly flammable and can be dangerous to store near a home, propane is a safer option. Of course, propane should never be stored indoors. Ideally, it should be stored on a flat, non-flammable surface, such as concrete, outdoors and away from any source of ignition.
While propane generators are one of the best options in terms of environmental safety and longevity, it does have its downfalls. Propane generators are more expensive than affordable gasoline generators. In addition, propane generators are known to put out as much as 30 percent less heat than gasoline-fueled machines. Propane generators also tend to be larger in size than gasoline generators, making them difficult to maneuver.
Gas Generators
Gasoline-powered generators remain one of the most popular types of generators due to their effectiveness and affordability. Gas generators work using an internal combustion engine that forces a rotating shaft to turn an armature. The armature is what creates the electromagnetic induction that helps make the gasoline generator work.