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 I've been gambling by not having a diesel generator. Need to push the trigger and get one. What brand do you recommend? I've heard Honda is good 
 Honestly my advice is only that it runs on the fuel that you can keep on hand and is moveable (as in lift into a truck) with two men. Several I looked at were odd shaped and too heavy to move for home use.  
Multi fuel might be a plus but I use diesel because its more stable, not a fire hazard and every 6mo i can empty it into my truck. 

As soon as you get it, use it so you know how.

Shut power off to the house and use it for a day. This may sound like overkill… but at my church, ive heard countless stories of people not being able to use their emergency generator for whatever reason and when I show up, it’s obvious its never been on before. 
Fire it up once or twice a year and make sure wife/kids watch you do it. 

Just put that chore on the calendar. 
🍻🧡👊🏻🥩 
 Really appreciate the advice 🫡 
 also could be pointed out that a big drum of potassium hydroxide, some smaller, sealed containers of sodium sulphate and a big separatory funnel makes it pretty easy to turn any available fat into diesel fuel, i mean literally anything, butter/cream, dripping, seed oils, coconut oil

probably these days some seed oils are so cheap you can actually save money doing this to keep a backup supply that you can convert into diesel ready to go within a few days 
 Good shit.  🤘
I like to keep it simple so folks actually get one but that’s great point.  
Just make sure your equipment is bio diesel compatible.