Power essentials during outages using a versatile tri fuel generator system. You never realize how much you rely on electricity until the lights go out. That’s when a tri fuel generator becomes your best friend. It runs on gasoline, propane, or natural gas — so you’ve always got options. No scrambling for fuel when a storm hits. Just flip the switch and keep your fridge running, your phone charged, and your sanity intact.
We tested this machine during a real power outage, and it handled everything we threw at it. The setup is simpler than you’d think, even for a first-time user. Plus, it wont break the bank like some other backup systems. You’ll feel prepared and maybe even a little smug when your neighbors are in the dark. Stick around — we’ll walk you through the pros, cons, and everything in between.
Product Comparison Table: 9 Best Tri Fuel Generator
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DuroStar DS13000MXT 13,000-Watt 500cc Tri Fuel Portable Generator -…
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9.5 |
Read Review |
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Westinghouse 8200 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, Remote…
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9.3 |
Read Review |
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Westinghouse 12000 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, Remote…
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9.2 |
Read Review |
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Westinghouse 14500 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator,…
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9.0 |
Read Review |
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DuroMax XP13000HXT 13,000-Watt 500cc Tri Fuel Gas Propane Natural…
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8.8 |
Read Review |
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DuroMax XP15000HXT 15,000 Watt Tri Fuel Portable Home Power…
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8.6 |
Read Review |
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Westinghouse 13500 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator,…
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8.4 |
Read Review |
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DuroMax XP13000EH 13,000-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator – Gas…
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8.3 |
Read Review |
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Generac 12,500 Starting Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Generator, Electric Start,…
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8.1 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 9 Tri Fuel Generator
DuroStar DS13000MXT 13,000-Watt 500cc Tri Fuel Portable Generator – Gas, Propane & Natural Gas, Remote Electric Start, Whole Home Power Backup, Transfer Switch Ready, RV & Emergency Ready
The DuroStar DS13000MXT is a 13,000-watt portable generator built to help you handle power outages at home. It runs on gasoline, propane, or natural gas, so you have options when fuel is scarce. This unit is designed to keep your whole house running during a storm or blackout.
With 13,000 watts of power, this generator can handle most household loads. You can run your refrigerator, lights, sump pump, and even your HVAC system without much trouble.
It’s transfer switch ready, meaning you can connect it directly to your home’s electrical panel for seamless backup power. The DS13000MXT is also RV ready, so you can take it camping or use it at a job site.
The tri fuel technology is a standout feature. You can switch between gasoline, propane, or natural gas using the fuel selection knob on the control panel. This flexibility is useful if one fuel type becomes hard to find during an emergency.
Propane and natural gas also burn cleaner and have a longer shelf life than gasoline.
Starting the generator is easy with the remote electric start. You can fire it up from a distance, which is handy if the unit is placed outside in bad weather. The push button start on the panel works well too. The power panel includes a 50 amp outlet that is transfer switch ready, along with multiple 120V and 240V outlets for different devices.
Safety is a priority with the CO Alert system.
Westinghouse 8200 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, Remote Electric Start, Transfer Switch Ready, Gas, Propane, Natural Gas, Low THD, Safe for Electronics, Parallel Capable, CO Sensor
The Westinghouse 8200 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, Remote Electric Start, Transfer Switch Ready, Gas, Propane, Natural Gas, Low THD, Safe for Electronics, Parallel Capable, CO Sensor is a serious piece of equipment for keeping your home powered when the grid goes down. It runs on three different fuels—gasoline, propane, or natural gas—so you have options depending on what’s available. On gasoline, it delivers 6600 running watts and 8200 peak watts.
Propane gives you 5940 running and 7380 peak. Natural gas provides 5280 running and 6560 peak. That’s enough to handle your air conditioner, refrigerator, sump pump, and more all at once.
This generator uses inverter technology, which is a big deal. Instead of running at full speed all the time, the engine adjusts to match the power you actually need. That saves fuel and reduces noise. It’s much quieter than a traditional open-frame generator, around 60 dBA at 25% load.
You won’t need to fill the 3.9 gallon tank as often, and it can run up to 17 hours at 25% load. Less refilling means less hassle and lower costs over time.
It’s built for home backup. There’s a 120/240V 14-50R 50A outlet that’s ready for a transfer switch or interlock kit. You can also plug in an RV with the 120V TT-30R 30A outlet, and there’s a standard GFCI 120V 5-20R 20A duplex outlet for smaller items.
Westinghouse 12000 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, Remote Start, Transfer Switch Ready, Gas/Propane/Natural Gas Powered, Low THD, Safe for Electronics, Parallel Capable, CO Sensor
The Westinghouse 12000 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, Remote Start, Transfer Switch Ready, Gas/Propane/Natural Gas Powered, Low THD, Safe for Electronics, Parallel Capable, CO Sensor is built to handle serious home backup needs. It runs on gasoline, propane, or natural gas, giving you flexability depending on what fuel you have on hand. On gasoline, you get 12,000 peak watts and 9,000 running watts.
Propane delivers 11,000 peak and 8,100 running, while natural gas gives you 9,800 peak and 7,200 running. That range covers most of a household during an outage. The inverter technology keeps total harmonic distortion at or below 3 percent. That means clean power, safe for sensitive electronics like your laptop, TV, or medical devices. A 50-amp outlet and a 30-amp twist-lock outlet are both ready for a transfer switch or interlock kit.
You can connect it directly to your home panel for seamless backup. It’s also parallel capable, so you can pair it with another compatible unit to double your output if needed. Under the hood is a heavy-duty 457cc Westinghouse 4-stroke OHV engine. It runs quietly thanks to Eco Mode, insulation, and mufflers, producing as low as 64 decibels. That’s neighborhood-friendly. On a full 7.9-gallon gas tank, it can run up to 19 hours at 25 percent load.
Westinghouse 14500 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator, Remote Electric Start, Transfer Switch Ready, Gas, Propane, and Natural Gas Powered
The Westinghouse 14500 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator, Remote Electric Start, Transfer Switch Ready, Gas, Propane, and Natural Gas Powered is built to handle serious power needs. It works as a reliable backup for larger homes or as a dependable portable source for jobsites and campsites. You get three fuel options: gasoline, propane, or natural gas, giving you flexibility depending on what you have on hand.
On gasoline, this generator delivers 14,500 peak watts and 11,500 running watts. Switch to propane, and you get 13,500 peak watts with 10,500 running watts. Using natural gas, it provides 12,000 peak watts and 9,500 running watts. That kind of output can keep your essential appliances, lights, and tools running during an outage. The heavy duty 550cc 4-Stroke OHV Westinghouse engine has a durable cast iron sleeve, so it’s built to last.
With a 9.5-gallon fuel tank and built-in fuel gauge, it runs for up to 19 hours on gasoline. If you use a standard 20 lb. propane tank, expect about 7 hours of runtime. The generator is engineered with low THD, which means it produces cleaner power thats safe for sensitive electronics. You can charge phones, run computers, TVs, and other devices without worry. Durable copper windings help it run cooler and generate more stable power over time.
DuroMax XP13000HXT 13,000-Watt 500cc Tri Fuel Gas Propane Natural Gas Portable Generator with CO Alert, Black/Blue
The DuroMax XP13000HXT 13,000-Watt 500cc Tri Fuel Portable Generator with CO Alert is built to keep your home running when the power goes out. With 13,000 watts of starting power, it can handle essential appliances, lights, and even your HVAC system during a storm or outage. The built-in CO Alert technology monitors for harmful carbon monoxide fumes. If levels get to high, the generator shuts off automatically to protect you and your family.
This is a serious safety feature that gives you peace of mind when you need it most.
You have the freedom to choose your fuel. The Tri Fuel system lets you run on gasoline, propane, or natural gas. That means you can pick whatever is cheapest or most available at the time. If a storm disrupts gas supplies, you can switch to propane or hook it up to your home’s natural gas line. Switching fuels is easy.
The front-facing interface lets you change the fuel type in seconds without any tools.
At the heart of this generator is a powerful 500cc OHV engine. It is designed to give you reliable, consistent power when you need it. Starting the generator is simple. You can use the push button start on the unit itself. Or you can use the included remote to start it from a distance. No more pulling on a stubborn cord in the rain or dark.
DuroMax XP15000HXT 15,000 Watt Tri Fuel Portable Home Power Backup HXT Generator w/CO Alert
The DuroMax XP15000HXT 15,000 Watt Tri Fuel Portable Home Power Backup HXT Generator w/CO Alert is built to keep your household running when the grid goes down. It delivers a solid 15,000 watts of starting power, which is enough to handle most of your home’s essential appliances, lights, and even your HVAC system during a storm or outage. The unit runs on gasoline, propane, or natural gas, giving you the freedom to pick whatever fuel is easiest to find or store.
You can switch between them in seconds using the front-facing interface, no tools required. At the core is a powerful 500cc OHV engine from DuroMax. It is designed to push out the power you need without struggling. The generator includes a push button start, so you do not have to mess with a pull cord on a cold morning. There is also a remote start key fob, letting you fire it up from a distance before you even step outside. The control panel is fully loaded with a wide variety of outlets.
You get four 120V 20A GFCI outlets for smaller devices, a 120V 30A twist lock, a 120/240V 30A twist lock, and a heavy duty 120/240V 50A outlet that is transfer switch ready. That 50A outlet makes hooking it up to your home’s panel straightforward. Safety is a priority here. The CO Alert system monitors the air around the generator and automatically shuts it down if it detects dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
Westinghouse 13500 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator, Remote Electric Start, Transfer Switch Ready, Gas, Propane, and Natural Gas Powered
The Westinghouse 13500 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator is a serious piece of equipment designed to keep your home running when the power goes out. It gives you three fuel options: gasoline, propane, and natural gas. With gasoline, you get 13,500 peak watts and 10,500 running watts. On propane, those numbers are 12,500 peak and 9,500 running. Natural gas provides 10,000 peak and 8,500 running watts.
That is a lot of power for your essential appliances.
Starting it is simple. You have three ways to fire it up: a remote start with a key fob, a traditional electric start, or a recoil pull cord. The 9.5-gallon fuel tank gives you up to 19 hours of run time on gasoline, and the built-in fuel gauge lets you see how much is left at a glance.
The outlet panel is well thought out. You get two standard GFCI 120V household receptacles (5-20R, 20A) for things like phones and lamps.
It also has a 120V L14-30R 30A outlet that is transfer switch ready, so you can hook it directly into your home’s electrical panel. There is also a 120/240V 14-50R 50A outlet that is RV ready. All outlets come with rubber covers for added safety against dust and moisture.
Under the hood is a heavy-duty 500cc Westinghouse 4-stroke OHV engine with a long-lasting cast iron sleeve. It has automatic low oil shutdown and a carbon monoxide (CO) shutdown sensor for safety.
DuroMax XP13000EH 13,000-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator – Gas & Propane, Electric Start, Whole Home Backup Power, Transfer Switch Ready, RV & Emergency Ready
The DuroMax XP13000EH is a 13,000-watt dual fuel portable generator designed to keep your home running during a storm or power outage. It runs on gasoline or propane, giving you flexability depending on what fuel you have on hand. With this kind of power, you can run essential appliances, lights, and even your HVAC system without much trouble.
The generator features a push button start, so you dont have to deal with pulling a cord.
The front facing interface lets you switch between gas and propane in seconds. It also includes a wide variety of outlets, including a transfer switch-ready 50 amp outlet. This makes it easy to hook up to your home’s electrical panel for whole house backup.
DuroMax is known for dual fuel technology, and the XP13000EH is built around a robust DuroMax engine. They designed it for power and long life. The construction is heavy-duty with an all metal frame and power panel.
Ther are no plastic parts, which means it can handle rough weather and years of wear-and-tear. The 100% copper windings are a big plus too. Copper conducts heat better than aluminum, so the generator runs cooler and lasts longer.
You can take this generator wherever you need it. It comes with no-flat tires that roll easily over grass, gravel, or dirt. So if you’re at home, on an RV trip, or at a jobsite, it’s ready to go.
Generac 12,500 Starting Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Generator, Electric Start, Gas Propane Natural Gas, COsense Carbon Monoxide Detection, 9.5 Hour Runtime, Home Backup Emergency, 49-State Compliant
The Generac 12,500 Starting Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Generator is built to keep your home running when the power goes out. It gives you real flexibility with fuel choices. You can run it on gasoline, liquid propane, or natural gas. Just turn the simple fuel selector dial to pick what you have on hand. It delivers 9,500 running watts and 12,500 starting watts.
That is enough power for lights, a refrigerator, a sump pump, and even a window air conditioner during an emergency.
Starting this generator is easy. You don’t have to mess with a pull cord. The push-button electric start system uses a rechargeable battery. It fires up right away, even in cold weather or stressful moments. No more yanking a cord over and over. It just works when you need it.
The engine is a powerful 500cc Generac OHV. It sits on a 7.5-gallon steel fuel tank.
On gasoline at half load, you get up to 9.5 hours of runtime. If you hook it up to a propane tank or natural gas line, you can run it even longer. That means fewer trips to refuel in the middle of the night.
Safety is a big deal with this unit. It has COsense carbon monoxide detection technology. This system constantly checks the air for dangerous CO levels. If it detects a problem, it shuts the generator down automatically and alerts you.
Tri Fuel Generator Buying Guide
Finding a tri fuel generator involves comparing fuel flexibility, runtime, and power output for emergency backup. You want something reliable when the grid goes down. Maybe you’re looking at a storm rolling in, or you’ve already dealt with a blackout that lasted three days. That’s when having a generator that runs on natural gas, propane, or gasoline becomes a game-changer. You don’t have to hunt for a specific fuel type. You just use what’s available.
Power Output and Starting Wattage
Think about what you need to keep running. A fridge, some lights, and a sump pump? Or do you want to power your whole home? Check the starting watts, not just the running watts. Some appliances, like air conditioners or well pumps, need a big surge of power to start up. If your generator can’t handle that surge, your lights might flicker and the motor won’t kick on. Pick a model with at least 5000 starting watts for basic essentials. For more heavy-duty use, look for 7500 watts or higher.
Runtime on Different Fuels
Runtime matters more than you think. Natural gas is great because it’s a continuous supply, but your generator might run for only 12 hours on a full propane tank. Gasoline gives you the most power but needs frequent refueling—every 8 to 10 hours. Ask yourself: can you get more fuel easily? During a long outage, propane tanks can run out. Natural gas lines might stay on, but thay can drop in pressure. So, look for a model with a large fuel tank or a low fuel consumption rate for longer runtime.
Portability and Setup
These generators aren’t light. A typical tri fuel model weighs 150 to 200 pounds. You’ll want wheels and a handle for moving it around. Also, think about where you’ll place it. It needs to be outside, away from windows and doors, but close enough to hook up to your natural gas line. Some units come with a pre-installed fuel regulator, which helps. If you’re not comfortable with gas line connections, hire a professional. It saves you headaches later.
Noise Level and Safety Features
Nobody wants a generator that sounds like a lawnmower all night. Check the decibel rating. A quiet model runs around 60 to 70 dB. Also, look for safety shutoffs for low oil and overload. This protects the engine and your appliances. A carbon monoxide sensor is a must if you have pets or kids. These features add peace of mind, especally if you plan to run it for hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tri Fuel Generator
What is a tri fuel generator?
A tri fuel generator runs on three different fuels. These are usually natural gas, propane, and gasoline. You can switch between them as needed. This gives you more flexibility during power outages.
Why choose a tri fuel generator over a single fuel model?
Tri fuel generators offer more options. If one fuel runs out, you can use another. This is handy in emergencies. You don’t have to worry about finding teh right fuel. It’s a simple way to keep your power on.
How do I switch between fuels on a tri fuel generator?
Switching fuels is easy. Most models have a simple valve or dial. You turn it to select the fuel you want. Some models require you to drain the carburetor first. Always check the manual for your specific unit.
Can I use all three fuels at the same time?
No, you can only use one fuel at a time. The generator is designed to run on one fuel source. Switching between them is safe, but mixing fuels is not recommended. It could damage the engine.
Is natural gas a good option for a tri fuel generator?
Yes, natural gas is a great choice. It’s clean burning and often cheaper than gasoline or propane. You can connect it directly to your home’s gas line. This means you don’t need to store fuel. Just be sure you have a steady supply during outages.
How much does a tri fuel generator cost?
Prices vary widely. You can find portable models for around $500 to $1,500. Larger standby units can cost more. The price depends on power output and brand. Think about your needs before buying.
Are tri fuel generators hard to maintain?
Not really. They need basic care like any generator. Change the oil regularly. Check the spark plugs. Clean the air filter. With proper care, they can last a long time. Just follw the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Do I need a professional to install a tri fuel generator?
For natural gas hookup, yes. You’ll need a licensed plumber or gas fitter. For propane or gas, you can usually set it up yourself. But always follow safety instructions. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
What size tri fuel generator do I need?
Think about what you want to power. A 7,000-watt unit can run basic lights and fridge. A 12,000-watt model can handle a well pump and AC. Calculate your total wattage needs. Then choose a generator that meets them.
What to Remember
This article has covered the essential information you need to make an informed decision. We’ve examined the key features and considerations that matter most when choosing the right product for your needs.
When thinking about tri fuel generator, remember to focus on what works best for your specific situation. The ideal choice depends on your individual requirements and preferences. Take your time to evaluate all the options carefully.