I have a Honda EU2000 and a Wen 3500. The Wen was purchased for the RV trailer but it's used very little.
I had a Champion 1800 but gifted it to the neighbor during last year's freeze. It was too small for my purposes and I used it just for lights while fishing/camping on the beach - I only bought it ($189) to keep from exposing the Honda to the salt water environment.
Whole house generators are great, but require lots of fuel. Natural gas may not continue to flow in a long-term scenario.
The Honda will run for a full 12 hours on a gallon of fuel and power a freezer and refrigerator (by alternating between appliances). Yep, it was a pain in the arse, but doable. I accomplished this for over two weeks after Harvey. By the time I ran out of fuel the freezer and refrigerator were empty.
When the fuel runs low, I'll transition to a dorm-sized fridge and run it just enough to keep a small amount of perishable food from spoiling- if I am able to scavage any fuel.
I keep about 50 gallons of treated fuel, plus what is in the truck. And, the EU 2000 will run a 6,000BTU window unit at night to air condition one room for sleeping.
My sister chose the whole-house generator route for her urban home, but she is a bit "high-maintenance", and can't imagine a time when the natural gas and city water could possibly cease to flow. She also thinks "long-term food storage" means living close to HEB.
Then again, she thinks I'm a nut-job...
I had a Champion 1800 but gifted it to the neighbor during last year's freeze. It was too small for my purposes and I used it just for lights while fishing/camping on the beach - I only bought it ($189) to keep from exposing the Honda to the salt water environment.
Whole house generators are great, but require lots of fuel. Natural gas may not continue to flow in a long-term scenario.
The Honda will run for a full 12 hours on a gallon of fuel and power a freezer and refrigerator (by alternating between appliances). Yep, it was a pain in the arse, but doable. I accomplished this for over two weeks after Harvey. By the time I ran out of fuel the freezer and refrigerator were empty.
When the fuel runs low, I'll transition to a dorm-sized fridge and run it just enough to keep a small amount of perishable food from spoiling- if I am able to scavage any fuel.
I keep about 50 gallons of treated fuel, plus what is in the truck. And, the EU 2000 will run a 6,000BTU window unit at night to air condition one room for sleeping.
My sister chose the whole-house generator route for her urban home, but she is a bit "high-maintenance", and can't imagine a time when the natural gas and city water could possibly cease to flow. She also thinks "long-term food storage" means living close to HEB.
Then again, she thinks I'm a nut-job...