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What We Covered
While fuel-powered generators don’t provide renewable energy independence, they do have their place. And they can be a great first step for anyone beginning their journey off the power grid.
Whether you are on the grid and looking for a backup generator to power your entire home during short blackouts, or you’re off the grid with a solar system and need a backup generator to supplement those times when it’s really cloudy for days on end, a generator could be a useful tool.
In this episode, we are drilling down into generators with some tips to help you choose the right one and avoid a costly mistake on a cheapo generator that dies quickly (best case) or that ruins a bunch of electronics in your home (worst case).
Chapters
00:00 – Intro
02:31 – What do you need a generator for?
07:51 – What size should your generator be?
15:40 – Which fuel type is best for a generator? (gasoline, diesel, or propane)
24:01 – What are some good generator brands?
29:15 – Techie Tip: Neutral & ground bonding
33:04 – Don’t forget a transfer switch!
34:32 – Fuel storage
35:13 – Generator maintenance
36:53 – Why we went with our current generator
Important Links
- Access a Generator Size Calculator
- Sustainable Preparedness – details on how to make your homestead systems (water, power, heat, etc) more independent
Transcript
Don’t Cheap Out on a Generator—Here’s Why
I remember this one story—there was a family who had picked up a generator for an incredible deal. I mean, it was a steal. They were feeling great about it, ready to go. Then the night came when the power went out.
They fired up the generator, and everything in the house lit up like a Christmas tree. It was working perfectly… until the wife came home and hit the garage door opener.
Something happened. To this day, I’m not sure exactly what—but a voltage spike shot through the house and fried thousands of dollars’ worth of electronics and appliances. All those savings went up in smoke, literally.
So, here’s the point: don’t go the cheap route on a generator if you can help it. It’s not just about getting power—it’s about protecting what that power is connected to.
Welcome Back to the Ready Life Podcast
Hi there, I’m Nick Meissner.
And I’m Lisa—his wife.
Welcome back to The Ready Life Podcast, where we help you make your home and family as independent as possible when it comes to life’s essentials—water, food, heat, and power.
Today, we’re tackling one of the most common questions we get:
What kind of fuel-powered generator should I buy as a backup power source?
Now, let’s be upfront—we’re not big fans of generators as your primary power solution. If you’re running a generator full-time, you’re dependent on fuel, putting heavy wear on the engine, and burning through your budget.
But for backup power? They can play a vital role—if you choose the right one.
What Do You Actually Need a Generator For?
Before picking a generator, you need to ask: What are you trying to power?
Use Case #1: Powering Your Whole Grid-Tied Home
Some folks want their generator to make it feel like the grid never went down. Everything just keeps humming—appliances, lights, heat, AC.
If that’s you, be prepared. You’ll likely need a massive generator—especially if you have a fully electric home. We’re talking 20 to 30 kW or more, depending on the size of your house and how many of your “Big Four” are electric:
- Water heater
- Oven/range
- Clothes dryer
- Central HVAC
Use Case #2: Powering Just the Essentials
A more common and budget-friendly option is to just power key appliances:
- Freezers and fridges
- A water pump
- A few lights
In this setup, your generator can be much smaller—maybe 8 to 12 kW, depending on what you’re running. We’ve included a generator sizing calculator in the show notes to help you get specific numbers. You can find it at:
Use Case #3: Backup for an Off-Grid Solar System
This is our situation. We’re off-grid with a solar setup, but in winter when the skies are gray for weeks, our generator steps in.
You can save thousands by sizing your solar system for average use—and using a generator to fill in the gaps. In our case, we run a Honda EU7000 inverter generator to top off our batteries.
If that’s your setup, you’ll likely need a generator in the 5–8 kW range, though some people manage with 2–3 kW if they’re only charging batteries.
Which Fuel Type is Best? (Gasoline vs Diesel vs Propane)
Gasoline
- Pros: Affordable, easy to find, portable
- Cons: Fuel goes bad quickly, not ideal for long-term storage
We went with a gas generator because we don’t run it much—just during cloudy spells in winter.
Diesel
- Pros: Built for heavy use, especially 1800 RPM industrial models
- Cons: Expensive, heavy, harder to move, cold-weather starting issues
Great for people running generators regularly or full-time.
Propane
- Pros: Fuel doesn’t go bad, cleaner burning, great for occasional use
- Cons: You’re tethered to a tank, commercial-grade models can be pricey
Many people choose propane for backup setups because the fuel stores indefinitely and doesn’t gum up the engine.
Brands That We Trust
We recommend staying away from the big-box store generators. They may seem like a good deal, but you’re often getting low-quality electronics and engines that can lead to issues—like the voltage spike story we shared earlier.
For gasoline generators, we’ve had great experiences with Honda.
For diesel, look at Kubota, Onan, Isuzu, or high-end Generac models.
For propane, Onan and Generac both make solid options.
And yes—some gasoline generators (like our Honda EU7000) can be converted to run on propane if you’re comfortable with modifications.
Tech Tip: Neutral-Ground Bonding
This one’s for the techies out there. Many portable generators come with neutral and ground bonded together—especially job-site models.
That’s fine if you’re running tools directly from the generator. But if you’re tying it into your home’s electrical panel, this setup is not safe or code-compliant.
Quick test:
Use a multimeter in continuity mode.
- One probe in the neutral slot
- One in the ground
If it beeps, the neutral and ground are bonded—and you’ll need to correct that if hooking it up to your house.
Don’t Skip the Transfer Switch
If you’re connecting a generator to your home, you MUST use a transfer switch.
This keeps power from backfeeding into the utility lines and endangering linemen. It also ensures you’re only ever connected to one power source at a time.
It’s a legal and safety must. Have a qualified electrician install it.
Fuel Storage & Maintenance Tips
- Gasoline and diesel go bad—especially without stabilizers.
- We cover long-term fuel storage in Episode 18: TheReadyLife.com/sl18
- Run your generator regularly—even if you’re not using it often.
- For carbureted models, turn off the fuel and run it dry if storing for more than a week.
Maintenance is key. That generator may be your family’s lifeline during a blackout.
Why We Chose Our Generator
We use a Honda EU7000 inverter generator. Here’s why:
- It idles down during low loads, saving fuel
- It’s portable enough to move around with a come-along and a trailer
- It’s quiet, efficient, and reliable
- We trust the brand—it’s served us well for years
It’s not the right choice for everyone, but for our low-hour use in an off-grid backup role, it’s been a great fit.
Final Thoughts
If you found this helpful, be sure to:
✅ Give the podcast a rating or review
✅ Leave a comment below or email us at questions@TheReadyLife.com
✅ Use the generator sizing calculator at TheReadyLife.com/21
Let us know if you’d like an episode diving deeper into transfer switches or another off-grid power topic.
Until next time—stay ready.
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