Can I Use Ethanol-Blended Gasoline in My Generator?
Ever stared at the servo pump wondering if E10 will kill your generator? You’re not alone. Yes, you can use ethanol-blended gasoline in many generators—but it depends on the model, storage habits, and maintenance. Keep reading to avoid costly mistakes (and ruined camping trips with a camping generator).
Not sure which generator is right for you?
Take the quiz!
Can I Use Ethanol-Blended Gasoline in My Generators? A Quick Guide
If you own a generator in Australia, you’ve probably seen E10 at every fuel stop and wondered: can I pour this stuff into my genny? It’s a fair question, especially with so many myths and mixed advice floating around. Ethanol-blended fuels like E10 are everywhere, but are they good news for your generator’s lifespan?
Let’s walk through what ethanol is, how it behaves in small engines, the tricks to storing it safely, and what to do if it all goes pear-shaped.
When Was 10% Ethanol Added to Gasoline?
Ethanol-blended fuel isn’t exactly new. In Australia, E10 (10% ethanol, 90% petrol) has been around since the mid-2000s. It was introduced as a way to cut emissions and give fossil fuels a greener edge.
While it works well for most modern cars, generators—especially older ones—can struggle. Ethanol attracts moisture and doesn’t play nice with older rubber or plastic parts.
The Disadvantages and Differences of Ethanol in Generators
Not all fuel is created equal when it comes to your generator.
Ethanol draws in water, which can lead to a problem called phase separation. That’s when water and ethanol sink to the bottom of the tank, causing corrosion, clogged filters, and all sorts of dramas—especially for petrol generators that sit unused.
Unlike straight petrol, ethanol-blended fuel has a shorter shelf life, especially in humid Aussie conditions. This means more upkeep and less forgiveness if your generator’s sitting idle for months.
Generator Fuel Storage and Maintenance with Stabilizer
If you’re going to run your genny on E10, storage is everything. That’s where fuel stabilisers come in—they keep things fresh and stop phase separation or gunky build-up.
Do You Need Fuel Stabilizer for a Generator?
Yep, you do. If your generator sits for a few weeks (or longer), stabiliser is your best mate. Ethanol starts to degrade within 30 days, and a stabiliser can help extend fuel life while protecting vital parts.
The Best Fuel Stabilizer for a Generator
Look for brands like STA-BIL or Penrite—both make stabilisers that work with ethanol. Just check the label for E10 compatibility. A little bit goes a long way, so measure it out and mix it in properly.
How Long Can You Store Gas in a Generator?
Even with stabiliser, don’t expect miracles. Ideally, you shouldn’t leave fuel sitting in your generator for more than 3 to 6 months.
Without a stabiliser? Try to use it up within 30 days. Always write the fill date on your container so you don’t lose track.
Troubleshooting and Removing Old Gas in Generators
Forgot to drain the tank or add stabiliser? Don’t stress—it’s fixable.
Old Gas in a Generator
Signs of stale fuel include rough starts, poor running, or the thing not starting at all. If it smells more like nail polish remover than fuel, it’s time to take action.
How to Remove Gas from a Generator
-
Switch off and let the generator cool.
-
Use a siphon pump or drain plug to empty the tank.
-
Dispose of old fuel safely—check your local council’s guidelines.
-
Clean or swap out the fuel filter.
-
Refill with fresh fuel (plus stabiliser), and run it to flush any gunk.
If things are still off, a quick carburettor clean may be in order.
How Often Should You Run a Gas Generator?
To keep your generator happy, run it once a month for 20–30 minutes. That keeps the fuel moving and prevents the system from clogging up.
Plug something in while it’s running—a fan, a kettle—just to simulate real use. It also helps top up the battery and keeps seals from drying out.
Final thought? Ethanol-blended fuel isn’t the villain it’s made out to be—it just needs a bit of respect. With the right know-how, stabilisers, and some basic upkeep, your generator can handle E10 without a hitch.
You might also like:
Generator Finder
Answer 5 quick questions & find your perfect generator
Top Generator Brands
Simple, Fast & Free
From Inverter to Welder Generators
Question 1 of 5
What will you mainly use it for?
This shapes everything — size, noise, start type.
🏕️ Camping & caravanning
🔧 Worksite / tradie
🏠 Home backup for blackouts
🌾 Remote property / farm
Question 2 of 5
What's the biggest thing you need to run?
Pick the hungriest appliance — that decides your kVA rating.
📱 Devices, lights & small appliances Under 2kW — phones, laptops, camp lights, small TV
❄️ Fridge or caravan aircon basics Around 2kW — 12V fridge, small caravan, basic power tools
⚡ Power tools or high-draw appliances Around 3–5kW — angle grinder, circular saw, kettle, microwave
🔌 Multiple big things running at once Around 5–8kW — tools + fridge + chargers all at the same time
🏗️ Air compressor, welder or full site setup 8kW+ — serious site gear, large shed, home standby
Question 3 of 5
How important is quiet operation?
Inverter generators are significantly quieter. Smart silent units like the Welling & Crossley range run at conversation level.
🤫 Very important — camping, neighbours, CPAP users Inverter or smart silent generator. Quieter, cleaner power
🔊 Not critical — open site, farm, doesn't matter Any generator works. Open frame gives more kVA per dollar
Question 4 of 5
Do you want electric or remote start?
Handy when the generator is hard to reach, tucked in a shed, or if yanking a cord isn't your thing.
🔑 Yes — electric or remote start
💪 No — pull start is fine
Question 5 of 5
What's your rough budget?
We'll show your best match, plus a cheaper and a step-up option.
Show me the best results →
Under $1,200
$1,200 – $2,000
$2,000 – $3,000
$3,000+
Last step
Where should we send your match?
We'll show your result now and email you a copy to compare later. No spam.
Pop your first name in so we can personalise your result.
Enter a valid email so we can send your result.
Yes
No
Let us know so we can confirm delivery for you.
Heads up — True Gear ships within Australia only. Pricing is in AUD and units come with AU plugs and local warranty. You're welcome to see your result, but we may not be able to deliver outside Australia.
We'll never share your details. Unsubscribe anytime.
Optional
Want a pro to double-check your result?
Tell us more about your setup and Tim will review your match and get back to you. Or skip straight to your result.
Tim | Owner, True Gear
Usually responds within a few hours
Usually responds within a few hours
⭐ 120+ verified Google reviews
🇦🇺 Australian owned & operated
🛡️ Price Beat Promise
🚚 Free delivery Australia-wide
Here's exactly how we size them
Two numbers decide everything — get these right and you'll never buy the wrong generator.
1. kVA = how much it can run at once
Add up the watts of everything you'll run at the same time — that's your minimum. Then multiply by 1.25 to leave headroom for start-up surge. A 2,000W load needs at least a 2.5kVA generator. Always size up, never down.
2. Surge watts = the hidden catch
Motors (fridges, air conditioners, compressors) spike hard on start-up — often 2–3x their running watts. A caravan aircon that runs at 1,000W can pull 2,500W+ for the first second. Check the surge rating, not just continuous output.
Inverter vs open frame — which do you need? ▾
Inverter generators produce clean, stable power — safe for laptops, CPAPs, TVs and any modern electronics. They're also significantly quieter. Open-frame generators are louder and produce slightly less stable power, but they're cheaper per kVA and perfectly fine for power tools, lights, and anything that isn't electronics-sensitive. The Welling & Crossley Smart Silent range sits in between — enclosed inverter design, very quiet, high kVA output, and priced well.
Do you actually need a generator, or would a power station do? ▾
If you're camping for a few nights and mainly running a fridge, CPAP and charging gear, a portable power station is often the better pick — no fuel, no fumes, near-silent, and you can top it up with solar panels. Generators shine when you need continuous high-output power for tools, aircon over multiple days, or remote properties where mains power isn't available. Not sure? Call us and we'll help you work it out. Or try our Power Station Finder here.
What does the runtime figure actually mean? ▾
Runtime is quoted at a specific load — usually 25% or 50% of rated output. Running at full capacity burns significantly more fuel and cuts runtime. The Welling & Crossley 6000W quotes 7 hours at 50% load — at full tilt, expect closer to 4. Always check the tank size and carry spare fuel if you're heading remote.
What your gear actually draws
Rough figures. Add up everything running at once to get your minimum kVA — then size up for surge headroom.
| What you're running | Running watts | Surge / start-up |
|---|---|---|
| Phone & laptop charging | ~100W | Minimal |
| Camp lights / LED strip | ~50W | Minimal |
| 12V fridge / freezer | 60–150W | Up to 600W |
| Caravan reverse-cycle aircon | 1,000–1,500W | 2,000–3,000W |
| Circular saw / angle grinder | 1,200–2,000W | 2,500–4,000W |
| Drill / impact driver | 600–900W | 1,200–1,800W |
| Microwave | 1,000–1,200W | Minimal |
| Kettle | 1,500–2,400W | Minimal |
| Air compressor (small) | 1,500–2,000W | 3,000–5,000W |
| Welder (MIG/stick) | 3,000–6,000W | Varies |
| Full home (non-AC essentials) | 3,000–5,000W | 5,000–8,000W |
Or skip the quiz and shop by size
2–3kVA
Compact
- Camping & caravanning
- Devices, fridge & lights
- Portable & lightweight
From $999
Shop compact7–9kVA
Serious power
- Full worksite setup
- Multiple tools at once
- Home backup
From $2,399
Shop serious10–20kVA
Heavy-duty
- Welder & compressor
- Large shed or farm
- Full home standby
From $5,749
Shop heavy-dutyWhat other Aussies say
From our 120+ verified Google reviews, rated 4.98 out of 5.
★★★★★
"Tim was super helpful and answered all my questions about which generator I needed. Without doubt the cheapest prices in Australia on the same quality products as the bigger companies."
Greg Hunt
Verified Google review
★★★★★
"Tim returned my first call in 90 seconds and talked me through exactly what size generator to get. We ended up buying 2 units and we're super happy. Good price, good service = good company."
Rhys Alves
Verified Google review
★★★★★
"Got my generator at a lesser price than the local Aussie dealer. Delivery was fast and communication was top notch. Planning to get more gear for my van build."
Shane Fish
Verified Google review
★★★★★
"Ordered the Gentech Sunday night and it was at my door by Thursday. Outstanding service, and the generator is better than I expected. Will be back."
Lawrie Thorne
Verified Google review
Common questions
What size generator do I need for camping? ▾
For camping with a 12V fridge, lights and charging, a 2.5–3.2kVA inverter generator does the job. If you're running caravan reverse-cycle aircon, step up to at least 4.5kVA — aircon units surge hard on start-up. An inverter generator keeps things quiet around the campsite.
What's the difference between kVA and kW? ▾
kVA (kilovolt-amperes) is the total apparent power the generator can produce. kW (kilowatts) is the real usable power after accounting for the power factor (typically 0.8). A 2.5kVA generator delivers around 2kW of usable power. For most home and camping use, kVA is the number to focus on — just make sure your total load stays comfortably under it.
Can I run a generator indoors or in an enclosed space? ▾
No. Generators produce carbon monoxide and must only be run outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, away from doors and windows. Never run one inside a caravan, shed, or garage — CO poisoning is odourless and can be fatal. Keep at least 3 metres from any opening.
How long will it run on a tank of fuel? ▾
It depends on tank size and load. The Welling & Crossley 6000W has an 18L tank and runs around 7 hours at 50% load. The Gentech 8kVA has a 25L tank. Always carry spare fuel jerry cans if you're heading remote.
Are inverter generators safe for sensitive electronics? ▾
Yes. Inverter generators produce clean sine wave power — same as your wall socket — which is safe for laptops, TVs, CPAPs and modern electronics. Open-frame generators produce slightly less stable power, which is fine for tools and lighting but we'd recommend an inverter if you're running anything sensitive.
What's the warranty on True Gear generators? ▾
Warranty varies by brand. Welling & Crossley and Westinghouse come with a 2-year warranty. Gentech units with Honda engines carry up to a 5-year warranty option. Champion units carry a 3-year limited warranty. All are backed by Australian-based support. Call us if you have warranty questions on a specific model.
Still not sure? Give us a call
Talk it through with a real person — no hold music. Tell us what you need to run and we'll point you to the right generator.
📞 Call 03 7056 6732📞 Call now