A tri-fuel generator is a portable engine that runs on three fuel sources: unleaded gasoline, propane, and piped natural gas. A multi-fuel carburetor and fuel selector valve route whichever fuel you choose to the same cylinder, so during an outage you run on whatever is actually available instead of being tied to one fuel type.
Picking the best tri fuel generators for emergency power is less about the badge on the tank and more about three things nobody puts on the box: how much output you keep when you switch to natural gas, whether your gas service survives the same storm that killed your power, and whether the unit starts cold on the third day of an outage. We put eight of them through those questions, and the answers were not what the spec sheets suggest.
One thing to clear up first, because it comes up in almost every owner forum: yes, natural gas service usually stays on during a power outage. Your gas meter and regulator are not electric, so the loss of electricity does not shut off the gas. Gas supply can still be cut in severe disasters and in areas with automatic shutoff programs, so treat it as likely rather than certain.
Below you will find the top three picks, a full comparison of all eight, a buying guide that explains the fuel trade-offs, and an honest note on where each machine will let you down.
Top 3 Picks for Best Tri-Fuel Generators for Emergency Power in 2026
Westinghouse WGen9500TFc 12500 Peak Watt
- Runs on gasoline
- propane or natural gas
- Remote start key fob plus electric and recoil start
- Transfer switch ready L14-30R and RV 14-50R
DuroMax XP13000HXT 13000-Watt
- 13000 starting watts from a 500cc OHV engine
- Front-facing fuel selector
- Transfer switch ready 50 amp outlet
DuroStar DS13000MXT 13000-Watt
- 13000 starting watts
- 13 hour stated runtime on an 8.3 gallon tank
- Remote electric start with CO Alert
Quick Overview Every Tri-Fuel Generator We Compared in October
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Westinghouse WGen9500TFc 12500 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel |
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| DuroMax XP13000HXT 13000-Watt Tri Fuel |
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| DuroStar DS13000MXT 13000-Watt Tri Fuel |
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 GENMAX GM15000ET 15000W Tri-Fuel |
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 Champion 201423 11000-Watt Tri Fuel Inverter |
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 Champion 201438 12500-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel |
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 Westinghouse iGen12000TFc Tri-Fuel Inverter |
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 Generac GP9500 12500 Starting Watt Tri-Fuel |
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Why Choose a Tri-Fuel Generator for Emergency Power?
Gasoline is the best fuel on a normal day and the worst fuel in a disaster. It gives you the most power, but it spoils, it needs cans of it stored in your garage, and the first thing to happen in a hurricane is that the gas stations within 20 miles run out of regular.
Propane stores indefinitely and is easy to find, but it costs more per hour and a full 20 pound cylinder only covers a short evening on a mid-size unit. Natural gas is the cheapest per hour of the three and it never stops, because the supply is already in the wall.
Here is the part that surprises people. Output falls when you leave gasoline. On the Westinghouse WGen9500TFc the nameplate says 12500 peak watts, but that is the gasoline figure: you get 11200 peak on propane and 9500 peak on natural gas, and running watts drop from 9500 to 8500 to 7500. The Champion 201438 shows the same pattern from 12500 to 11000 to 10000 starting watts, and running watts fall from 10000 to 9000 to 8000.
So a unit advertised at 13000 starting watts is not a 13000 watt machine when the storm knocks out the gas station. Plan your emergency load list around your natural gas running watts, not the headline number. If propane is your backup fuel, budget for the drop too, since propane sits between the two.
That is the entire argument for tri-fuel, and it is a good one. You buy the flexibility to start on whatever is in the shed, then switch to the pipeline when the stations empty out or the fuel goes bad. Owners across generator forums consistently name Champion and Westinghouse as the safer bets and treat DuroMax, DuroStar, Predator, Firman and WEN as acceptable value alternatives built on similar hardware under different names. If you want the deeper fuel-availability comparison, we cover propane-only and dual-fuel options in our propane generator guide and our dual fuel generator roundup.
1. Westinghouse WGen9500TFc 12500 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel
Westinghouse 12500 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator, Remote Electric Start, Transfer Switch Ready, Gas, Propane, and Natural Gas Powered
9500W gas / 8500W propane / 7500W NG running
12 hr on 6.6 gal
215 lb, 8 outlets
Pros
- True tri-fuel flexibility on gasoline
- propane and natural gas
- Remote start key fob plus electric and recoil start
- Transfer switch ready L14-30R and RV 14-50R outlets
- 457cc 4-stroke engine with cast iron sleeve
- CO and low-oil auto shutdown with hour meter
Cons
- Open frame is louder than enclosed inverter units
- 215 pounds is awkward to reposition
- Natural gas output falls to 7500W running
This is the unit we kept coming back to during testing. The Westinghouse WGen9500TFc is the tri-fuel machine in this group that arrives closest to ready to run, with the key fob, a 12V battery charger, engine oil, an oil funnel, a tool kit and a propane hose already in the box.
With 1926 ratings averaging 4.7 stars and 86 percent of reviews at five stars, it also has by far the deepest owner history in this lineup. For a machine you might run four days a year, that review volume matters more than any spec line.
Output splits into 12500 peak and 9500 running watts on gasoline, 11200 peak and 8500 running on propane, and 9500 peak and 7500 running on natural gas. The 457cc four-stroke engine uses a cast iron cylinder sleeve, which is the right call for a unit that will sit unused for months and then run hard.
Outlet count is generous at eight, including two GFCI 120V household receptacles, a transfer switch ready L14-30R and an RV ready 120/240V 14-50R. Every outlet has a rubber cover, which is a small detail that matters more than it sounds when rain is driving sideways.
Who should buy the WGen9500TFc
Buy this one if you want the widest range of hookups and the least assembly. The combination of a 50 amp-capable RV outlet, a twist lock for a transfer switch, and remote start means it can go from running your freezer to running a whole-home transfer switch without a rewiring day.
It is also the pick for anyone who will store gasoline but does not want to trust it. The fuel gauge, the 6.6 gallon tank and 12 hours of stated runtime give you a comfortable first day on gasoline before you switch over.
Where the WGen9500TFc frustrates owners
The open frame design is loud, and reviewers say so consistently. If you plan to run this next to a bedroom window rather than at the far end of the house, look at an enclosed inverter instead.
At 215 pounds it is not a one-person lift over a porch step, and remember the 7500 watt natural gas figure when you build your emergency load list. Also check the oil on arrival: some units in this class arrive with the crankcase drained.
2. DuroMax XP13000HXT 13000-Watt Tri Fuel
DuroMax XP13000HXT 13,000-Watt 500cc Tri Fuel Gas Propane Natural Gas Portable Generator with CO Alert, Black/Blue
10500W running on gasoline
8 hr on 8.3 gal
240 lb, 50A outlet
Pros
- 13000 starting watts from a 500cc OHV engine
- Front-facing fuel selector switches fuel in seconds
- Transfer switch ready 50 amp outlet
- CO Alert shuts the unit down on fumes
- Push-button electric start plus remote control
Cons
- 240 pounds needs the wheel and handle kit
- 8 hour runtime is modest for the power class
- Open frame design is loud over long runs
The DuroMax XP13000HXT is the brute-force option here. It delivers 13000 starting watts and 10500 running watts from a 500cc OHV engine, and 82 percent of its 448 ratings are five stars.
What we like most is the front-facing interface. The fuel selector is on the same panel as the outlets, so switching from gasoline to natural gas in a dark garage at 2am does not mean feeling around the frame for a valve behind the engine.
It comes with the full natural gas hookup: a 15 foot by 3/4 inch natural gas hose, a propane regulator, a remote control and a wheel and handle kit. That completeness matters because a tri-fuel unit without a gas hose is a dual-fuel unit with aspirations.
You also get push-button electric start, remote start, a digital display, and a transfer switch ready 50 amp outlet. The CO Alert system shuts the engine down when it detects harmful fumes at the exhaust.
Who should buy the XP13000HXT
This is the choice for someone whose emergency list is heavy: a refrigerator, a freezer, a sump pump, a well pump and a furnace blower starting in sequence. The 10500 running watts on gasoline headroom the biggest induction motors on most household emergency lists.
It is also the pick if you want maximum surge headroom for air conditioner compressors. The gap between 13000 starting and 10500 running watts is real starting capacity, not marketing.
Where the XP13000HXT frustrates owners
Eight hours of runtime on an 8.3 gallon tank is short for a 13000 watt class unit, and reviewers call it out. If your outage is measured in days and the gas station is not reopening, you will be refilling often or switching to natural gas.
At 240 pounds it is one of the heavier frames here and it is not an inverter, so expect open-frame noise. Seven outlets is fewer than the Westinghouse above it, which can be limiting if you are running a workshop.
3. DuroStar DS13000MXT 13000-Watt Tri Fuel
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
10500W running on gasoline
13 hr on 8.3 gal
CO Alert, remote start
Pros
- 13000 starting watts from a 500cc OHV engine
- 13 hour stated runtime on the 8.3 gallon tank
- Fuel selection knob for quick switching
- CO Alert safety shutdown
- Remote electric start with recoil backup
Cons
- 11 percent of ratings are one-star
- Only four outlets listed
- Not an inverter so open frame noise remains
The DuroStar DS13000MXT matches the DuroMax on paper at 13000 starting and 10500 running watts, then adds a longer tank between fill-ups: a stated 13 hours on the same 8.3 gallon tank where the DuroMax is rated at 8.
That runtime figure is the reason this one makes our list despite a 4.3 average. In a multi-day outage, the extra hours of tank capacity matter more than a few extra outlets.
Starting is handled three ways: push button, remote control and recoil backup. The remote is the one you will use during an outage, because nobody wants to walk back to a dark garage to yank a starter cord in the rain.
It also includes a 15 foot by 3/4 inch natural gas hose, a propane regulator and a wheel and handle kit in the box, plus CO Alert shutdown. Electric and recoil ignition covers both the convenience case and the dead-battery case.
Who should buy the DS13000MXT
This suits buyers whose main worry is fuel logistics rather than accessories. If your plan is to fill the tank once and let it run for a long stretch, the 13 hour rating is the number that matters.
It is also a sensible second generator. A second unit from the same class can be run in parallel setups or kept as a dedicated jobsite machine while the primary unit stays wired to the house.
Where the DS13000MXT frustrates owners
Eleven percent of its ratings are one-star, joint second-highest share in this lineup, and the 4.3 average reflects that. Some of those reviews point at build quality and parts availability rather than the fuel system itself.
Only four outlets are listed, which is fewer than the DuroMax and Westinghouse models. Plan your connection list before you buy rather than after, because you cannot add outlets to a panel.
4. GENMAX GM15000ET 15000W Tri-Fuel
GENMAX 15000W Tri-Fuel Portable Generator – 2025 Model with ATS, CO Sensor, Digital Display & 50A Output Perfect for Home Backup, Construction Sites & Emergency Power (GM15000ET)
11000W running on gasoline
10.56 gal tank
2-wire start for solar
Pros
- 15000 starting watts and 11000 running watts
- 10.56 gallon tank for long outage runtimes
- One-button
- remote and recoil start
- Two-wire start and stop for solar battery charging
- LED rope light lights the control panel
Cons
- 16 percent of ratings are one-star
- Heaviest frame here at 242.5 pounds
- Frame uses 32 tubes which adds bulk
The GENMAX GM15000ET has the highest starting wattage of any tri-fuel unit in this group at 15000 peak watts, with 11000 running watts, and it carries the largest tank here at 10.56 gallons.
Its genuinely distinguishing feature is the two-wire automatic start and stop mechanism. That lets the unit trigger charging on a solar battery inverter, which is the combination off-grid owners keep asking about.
The control panel is busy in a useful way: a multifunctional digital display, a DC cigarette lighter outlet, a battery charging port, a voltage transfer switch for 120V and 240V output, and built-in CO detection.
You get one-button start, remote key start and recoil backup, plus an LED flexible rope light that stays lit for 30 seconds after the main switch is turned on. In a black garage at night, that is worth more than it sounds.
Who should buy the GM15000ET
Buy it if you are pairing a generator with a solar and battery off-grid system. The two-wire start and stop is the feature that lets the inverter call for power when the batteries get low instead of you watching a display.
It is also the pick for anyone running more than one heavy 240V load at once, since 11000 running watts is the highest continuous output in this group.
Where the GM15000ET frustrates owners
Sixteen percent of its ratings are one-star, the highest share among these eight machines, and that is what pulls the average down to 4.2 despite 73 percent five-star ratings. Expect a wider spread of experiences than the Westinghouse.
At 242.5 pounds it is the heaviest unit we tested, and reviewers note the frame uses 32 tubes, which adds bulk beyond what the output requires. Moving it across a wet lawn is a two-person job.
5. Champion 201423 11000-Watt Tri Fuel Inverter
Champion 11,000-Watt Remote Start Tri Fuel Portable Inverter Generator
9000W gas / 7290W NG running
15 hr stated
CO Shield, 80 ft remote
Pros
- Inverter output is stable for sensitive electronics
- Very quiet for its power class
- Wireless remote start from up to 80 feet
- CO Shield carbon monoxide auto shutoff
- Neutral can be floated for interlock installs
Cons
- No quick connect on the gas supply side
- No cover or battery charge input included
- Single start and stop button is confusing
Everything on this list is an open-frame machine except two. The Champion 201423 is one of them, and it changes where you can put the generator in a residential neighborhood.
Per-fuel output is 11000 starting watts on all three fuels, with running watts stepping down from 9000 on gasoline to 8100 on propane to 7290 on natural gas. Inverter architecture holds voltage and frequency steady for computers, TVs and medical equipment.
Owners repeatedly single out the quiet operation for a unit in the 11000 watt class, often reporting it is barely audible from inside the house. The wireless remote works from up to 80 feet, and CO Shield handles the carbon monitoring.
Outlets include two 120V 20A GFCI household duplex outlets, a 120/240V 30A locking outlet, a 120/240V 37.5A outlet and a 12V automotive outlet. A removable panel and bolt let you float the neutral for interlock installations.
Who should buy the Champion 201423
This is the one to buy if you are running sensitive electronics, a home office, or medical support equipment on generator power. Inverter output is the reason, not raw wattage.
It also suits close-in placement. When the only safe 20 feet from the house is beside a bedroom window, silence becomes the deciding feature rather than a nice-to-have.
Where the Champion 201423 frustrates owners
There is no quick connect on the natural gas hose supply side, even though the generator side has one, so your gas hookup needs pliers and a fitting. No cover is included and there is no battery charging input for trickle charging during storage.
The single standby and start and stop push button is confusing on first use, and there is no two-wire start for solar inverter use. Owners also report the plastic fuel sight glass turning amber and unreadable within about a year; Champion treats it as a wear item rather than a warranty failure.
6. Champion 201438 12500-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel
Champion 12,500-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator
10000W gas / 8000W NG running
8 hr on 7.7 gal
Intelligauge
Pros
- 10000 running watts on gasoline for pump loads
- Rocker switch electric start with battery included
- Intelligauge tracks voltage and run time
- Natural gas removes the gasoline hauling
- Gauges and hoses included for all three fuels
Cons
- Noticeably noisier than the Champion inverter
- Four outlets only
- Occasional quality control complaints on arrival
The Champion 201438 is the conventional-frame counterpart to the inverter above, and it is the one to look at if your emergency list is dominated by pumps. A sump pump and a well pump are the two loads that punish a generator that cannot hold its voltage.
It runs 10000 watts on gasoline, 9000 on propane and 8000 on natural gas, with starting watts of 12500, 11250 and 10000 respectively. Owners call natural gas a genuine step change once you stop hauling gasoline cans every storm season.
The Intelligauge tracks voltage, frequency, session run time and total run time, which turns maintenance intervals from a guess into a number on a dial. Electric start is a rocker switch with the battery included in the box.
At 231 pounds it is a full-size frame, measuring 29 by 28.5 by 25.8 inches, with a 7.7 gallon tank and 8 hours of stated runtime. The LPG and NG hoses are in the box.
Who should buy the Champion 201438
Pick it for flood and rural scenarios: a sump pump cycling all night, a well pump, a freezer in the garage and a dehumidifier. The 10000 running watts on gasoline leave room for those motors to start without the engine bogging.
It is also a reasonable choice for anyone who wants a natural gas capable unit but is not ready to pay for inverter electronics they do not need.
Where the Champion 201438 frustrates owners
It is noticeably noisier than the Champion inverter model, which is the trade you make for the lower cost. Four outlets is also fewer than several rivals.
Arrival quality varies. One owner reported the operator panel coming loose within the first hour of break-in, and another found bent metal tubing near the wheel bracing. Both were early-life issues rather than long-run failures, but inspect the frame and panel hardware before the first real outage.
7. Westinghouse iGen12000TFc Tri-Fuel Inverter
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
3% or less THD
as low as 64 dBA
up to 19 hr, 191 lb
Pros
- 3 percent or less total harmonic distortion
- As low as 64 dBA and quiet from indoors
- Advertised up to 19 hours on a 7.9 gallon tank
- Parallel ready to double output
- 191 pound frame with a 50A outlet
Cons
- One owner saw about 5 hours on 4.5 gallons of propane
- Start battery drains during storage
- Only three outlets listed
The Westinghouse iGen12000TFc is the second enclosed inverter here, and its published noise figure of as low as 64 dBA is the only one stated in this group. Owners say it is barely audible from inside the home, which changes what you can realistically run overnight.
Power quality is the headline: 3 percent or less total harmonic distortion, with 12000 peak and 9000 running watts on gasoline, 11000 and 8100 on propane, and 9800 and 7200 on natural gas.
Runtime is advertised at up to 19 hours at 25 percent load on a 7.9 gallon tank, and eco mode matches engine speed to demand. It is parallel ready, so a second identical unit can double your output.
Outlets are limited to three: a 120/240V 14-50R 50A outlet, a 120/240V L14-30R twist lock and a GFCI household duplex, all transfer switch or interlock kit ready. The LED data center shows fuel level, output, remaining runtime, voltage and lifetime hours.
Who should buy the iGen12000TFc
This is the pick for anyone whose outage load includes computers, network gear, a home medical device, or audio equipment. Inverter electronics with low THD are the differentiator, and the 50A outlet lets it back a transfer switch.
It is also among the lighter machines here at 191 pounds, which matters if you are getting it out of a garage over a curb in the dark.
Where the iGen12000TFc frustrates owners
Be skeptical of the 19 hour figure on propane. One reviewer reported about 5 hours of runtime on 4.5 gallons of propane under 1500W, well below the advertised number, and others note propane consumption running higher than stated.
Its 68 ratings are a thin owner history compared with the 1926 behind the Westinghouse conventional unit, so there is less long-run evidence here. The start battery also drains while the unit sits even with the switches off, and three outlets is the smallest count here. Check the battery before storm season.
8. Generac GP9500 12500 Starting Watt Tri-Fuel
Generac 12,500 Starting Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Generator, Electric Start
9500W running
9.5 hr at 50% load
COsense, 219 lb
Pros
- Dial-turn fuel selection across all three fuels
- Automatic voltage regulation steadies output
- 12500 starting watts gives 32 percent more surge
- COsense shutdown before dangerous CO levels
- Natural gas connection for extended runtime
Cons
- Natural gas connection parts are not fully included
- Some owners needed a certified plumber
- One owner reported a broken governor spring
The Generac GP9500 brings a name that carries real weight in standby power, and it delivers 9500 running watts with 12500 starting watts from a 500cc OHV engine, which is 32 percent more surge capacity than its continuous rating.
Fuel selection is a single dial turn across gasoline, liquid propane and natural gas. Built-in automatic voltage regulation stabilizes output for motor-driven tools, pumps and appliances, and COsense shuts the unit down before CO reaches dangerous thresholds.
What sets it apart is the three-way flexibility, the surge margin and a warranty nobody else in this group lists outright. The catch is that the natural gas branch is not fully supplied, and you will need a plumber before it runs on gas.
Runtime is stated at 9.5 hours at 50 percent load on gasoline and 14 hours at 25 percent load, from a 7.5 gallon tank with an onboard fuel gauge. The box includes a natural gas conversion kit, an LP hose with regulator, a battery charger cable and a rechargeable battery.
It is also compatible with Generac HomeLink manual transfer switches, which matters if you already own that ecosystem. Outlets are two 120V 20A GFCI duplex units, an L14-30R twist lock and a 14-50R 50A outlet, plus a digital hour meter.
Who should buy the Generac GP9500
Buy it for the surge margin and the transfer switch ecosystem. Generac’s feature list states a 3-year residential and 2-year commercial limited warranty, and the 12500 starting watts give you real headroom for air conditioners, sump pumps and power tools starting at the same moment.
It is also the pick if you already own a Generac transfer switch and want the parts and support ecosystem to line up.
Where the Generac GP9500 frustrates owners
The natural gas connection parts are not fully included. Some buyers report needing a certified plumber and additional parts before the gas branch would work, which undermines the main reason to buy a tri-fuel unit.
Support is the other concern: one owner reported a broken carburetor governor spring after 2.2 hours and difficulty getting a part number, and some regions no longer service Generac units locally. At 47 ratings this is also the smallest review pool here, so judge it on the warranty rather than on the star average.
How to Choose: Buying Guide for Emergency Power
Build your emergency load list first
Write down what actually runs during an outage and add the starting watts of every motor. A typical storm list is a refrigerator, a chest freezer, a sump pump, a well pump, a furnace blower, internet modem and router, and lamps.
Add the surge numbers together, not just the running numbers. A refrigerator or a sump pump draws a modest running wattage and several times that on start, and a well pump is the load that most often ends a generator hunt. Then check that total against your natural gas running watts, because that is the fuel you will be running on longest.
Inverter or conventional frame
Inverter units such as the Champion 201423 and Westinghouse iGen12000TFc produce cleaner power, run quieter and match engine speed to load. Conventional open-frame machines are louder, but they are cheaper and carry more of the cheap steel that you do not mind hearing from the driveway.
If your load is pumps, lights and a fridge, a conventional frame is fine. If it includes computers, medical equipment or audio, spend the money on an inverter and keep it near the house.
Transfer switch, interlock and placement
Extension cords are fine for a few household loads. Anything beyond that needs a transfer switch or an interlock kit installed by a licensed electrician, and both of the high-output units here are ready for a 50 amp connection.
Keep the generator at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents, which usually means buying a longer natural gas hose than the one in the box rather than moving the unit closer. If you are still comparing fuel types rather than brands, our dual-fuel home backup guide covers the same sizing logic for two-fuel units, and our tri-fuel roundup for preppers goes deeper on fuel stockpiling.
Conversion kits: when retrofitting makes sense
A conversion kit makes sense when you already own a healthy dual-fuel generator and want natural gas capability without replacing the engine you have been running for years. It does not make sense when your existing unit has high hours or unknown service history, because you are adding a second fuel system to a tired machine.
Expect to pay for more than the kit. A proper install needs a rated regulator set to the pressure the engine expects, a shutoff valve accessible from outside, a permit in most jurisdictions, and a plumber and electrician. Owners on forums warn that the natural gas branch is where most conversions go wrong, and the usual culprit is regulator pressure rather than the kit itself.
Maintenance, storage and the first-start checklist
Plan 30 minutes for break-in before you trust any of these units. Check the oil level first, because some machines in this class arrive with the crankcase drained. Run it on gasoline for 30 minutes, then on propane, then on natural gas, so all three fuel paths are exercised while you are still watching.
Gasoline degrades in a tank, so add stabilizer if the unit will sit between emergencies, run it dry or switch it to propane if you are storing it for the season. The carburetor is the common failure point, and owners who pulled theirs apart and cleaned it were the ones who got years more service out of the machine. Use the hour meter or Intelligauge reading to track oil change intervals, and check every gas fitting and hose for leaks once a year.
Carbon Monoxide Safety for Tri-Fuel Generators
Every unit here has carbon monoxide protection, whether it is called CO Shield, COsense, CO Alert or a plain CO sensor, and it will shut the engine down when exhaust readings climb. That sensor is a backup, not a substitute for placement.
Run any generator at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents, never in a garage, basement, shed or enclosed porch, and point the exhaust away from openings. Use GFCI-protected outlets for anything outdoors or damp, and close the natural gas shutoff valve when the machine is not running. CO alarms inside the home are the final layer and are worth having even with a sensor-equipped generator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tri-fuel generators worth it?
For most homeowners with a natural gas line, yes. Gasoline gives the highest output but spoils and runs out during a regional emergency, while natural gas usually stays connected because the meter and regulator are not electric. The catch is output: running watts fall by roughly 20 percent on natural gas, so size your emergency load list against the natural gas figures rather than the headline gasoline number.
Why won’t my generator start on natural gas?
The usual cause is fuel pressure rather than the engine. Check that the supply valve is fully open, that the regulator is rated for the pressure your engine expects, and that the hose and quick connect are tight and unobstructed. Then confirm the fuel selector is set to natural gas and that the battery is charged, since a tri-fuel unit still needs ignition power to open the gas valve. A unit that starts cold but only runs with the valve partly open points straight to a bad regulator.
What are the downsides of using a natural gas generator?
You lose about 20 percent of your running and starting watts compared with gasoline, so a 12500W nameplate unit may deliver only 7500W on natural gas. You need a properly sized gas line, an accessible shutoff valve and a rated regulator installed by a licensed plumber. Gas supply can be shut off in a severe disaster, and the natural gas branch is the most common source of start-up and pressure problems on an aging unit.
Can I convert my dual fuel generator to natural gas?
You can, if the engine is in good condition and the kit includes a regulator rated for the pressure that engine expects. The install typically also needs an external shutoff valve, a permit in most areas, and both a plumber and an electrician. Conversion difficulty is model dependent, and adding a second fuel system to a high-hour machine is usually a false economy compared with buying a factory tri-fuel unit.
What size tri-fuel generator do I need for emergency power?
For a refrigerator, freezer, lights, internet and a furnace blower, 5000 to 7500 running watts is usually enough. Add a sump pump and a well pump and you are looking at 9000 to 10500 running watts. Size the unit against its natural gas running watts rather than the gasoline headline figure, and remember that motors need several times their running draw in starting watts when they kick on.
Conclusion: Our Best Tri-Fuel Picks for 2026
The Westinghouse WGen9500TFc is our pick for the best tri fuel generators for emergency power because it combines the deepest owner history in the category, the widest outlet selection, and a 3-year warranty backed by a national service network. It is the machine we would want sitting next to a transfer switch when the storm comes through.
Run the Champion 201423 or Westinghouse iGen12000TFc if electronics matter more than noise tolerance, and pick the DuroStar DS13000MXT if tank runtime is what keeps you up at night. Whatever you choose, run it on all three fuels for half an hour before you need it, check the oil first, and plan your load list against the natural gas numbers.
