[Dave_n_Tenn]

Originally Posted by tonyp22

Can’t power a gas stovetop, or a house when power’s on the blink, with either of those, Dave.

Copy that... well aware. Never understood the need of gas/propane inside a home in Florida. That's what gas grills are for. Lol I think people from up north are stuck in their ways about cooking.

I have 3 grills and a smoker. Adding heat load inside a Florida home is undesirable.

As far as a generator is concerned... less than 10KW gasoline/propane dual fuel is fine, but after 10KW ... diesel/light oil is far more efficient.

[tonyp22]

Fair enough, Dave. Not being stuck so much, IMO, just uses what’s better. Just for the stovetop. Electric ovens are superior.

Maybe a 10KW dual fuel is worth considering, with manual cutover. It would certainly be cheaper than going a buried tank propane route. Only wondering how long things can be powered with the smaller fuel tanks on those things. Any recommendations?

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Originally Posted by tonyp22

Fair enough, Dave. Not being stuck so much, IMO, just uses what’s better. Just for the stovetop. Electric ovens are superior.

Maybe a 10KW dual fuel is worth considering, with manual cutover. It would certainly be cheaper than going a buried tank propane route. Only wondering how long things can be powered with the smaller fuel tanks on those things. Any recommendations?

You can get/buy two stand up 100 gal tanks. https://www.motorsnorkel.com/propane-consumption-rate

If you go with propane make sure your gas supplier will provide assurances of fuel delivery, when/ if the power is out. I have two generators. a 13KW PTO gen runs off my diesel tractor and a dual fuel 3.5KW inverter generator for sensitive electronics. The small one will run the 27' travel trailer. Newer electronics like clean power (perfect sine).

[markjames68]

I actually have 3 generators, acquired over the years.

My big one is a 11,400 continuous/14,000 surge that will power my house. Worked well in FL after Irma and I took it with me when moving. Start that one every month or so but haven’t needed it since Irma. For a non-inverter it still has a great gen head and produces clean power. Drinks about a gallon an hour.

My middle one is a 3000w Yamaha inverter that I lent out during Irma. Haven’t used it since. Need to change the oil and fire it up soon.

Then I have a 1000w Yamaha inverter that I’ve had for close to 10 years that will run a few things. Needs a carb clean out now. It was my “backup” unit that would power some chargers and a window AC.

A lot will depend on the frequency of use. If you don’t need it often a gas powered portable should do just fine.

[tonyp22]

Mark, what size tank did you have fueling the 11.4KW? Or does it have its own tank?

[Bamaman1]

We just moved, and the house had a big, ugly 500 gallon tank sitting behind it that was empty. The propane was just for two gas fireplaces that'd never properly heat such a large house.

In our state, LP Tanks are not to be within 10' of a house, and never in front of a vent into the crawlspace. No one told whoever installed my tank. I put it in the contract that that tank be removed.

We would like to have a gas stove, and would prefer a gas hot water heater. But our high line Kitchenaid electric cooktop and convection double ovens are great. And we've never run out of hot water with our two hot water heaters. Our heat is supplied by two brand new Carrier heat pumps, and they're sufficient.

I'm just happy as a lark not dealing with LP in any manner.

[tonyp22]

Yes, I was looking at the alternative of getting an induction stovetop (IMO next best thing to gas), and after reading here maybe a smaller gas generator for dealing with power outages. The only problem I have with that is I’d have to replace some of my workhorse non-ferrous bottomed cookware with stuff that will work on induction. Still, a small expense when compared to the cost for going big time propane.

[kibblenbitz]

Originally Posted by Dave_n_Tenn

Copy that... well aware. Never understood the need of gas/propane inside a home in Florida. That's what gas grills are for. Lol I think people from up north are stuck in their ways about cooking.

I have 3 grills and a smoker. Adding heat load inside a Florida home is undesirable.

As far as a generator is concerned... less than 10KW gasoline/propane dual fuel is fine, but after 10KW ... diesel/light oil is far more efficient.

Gas stove tops work MUCH better than electric... It’s why a LOT of restaurants use them as well, despite the added cost of running new gas lines through the building.

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Define "much better". In Florida there isn't as much NG so propane is the option. Propane is expensive compared to up north. $3.89 a gallon. One gallon of propane weighs a little over 4 lbs.


The difference between electric and natural gas costs may not be enough to convince a home chef to switch from an electric stove to a more expensive gas stove and pay for gas lines to be run to his or her home. After all, how many million BTU does the average home chef use in a month? However, that comparison shows a huge difference for a commercial kitchen.

https://www.katom.com/cat/restaurant...ena-katom.html

[tonyp22]

Originally Posted by kibblenbitz

Gas stove tops work MUCH better than electric... It’s why a LOT of restaurants use them as well, despite the added cost of running new gas lines through the building.

Agreed, but given the case that the neighborhood I’m moving into doesn’t have NG, I may just spring for an induction cooktop oven. Still not as good as gas, but close.