Best dual fuel in portable and inverter generators
A big dual-fuel generator with CO shutdown, an L14-30R and a 14-50R; loud and heavy, but it can run several 240 V circuits through a transfer switch.
Our score: 7.9/10 out of 10Researched, not lab-tested
- Running watts
- 9,500 W
- Fuel
- Gasoline or propane
- Starting watts
- 12,500 W
- Largest outlet
- 120/240 V 50 A (14-50R)
Is it right for you?
Pros
- CO sensor with automatic shutdown
- 9,500 running watts on gas, 8,500 on propane
- L14-30R and 14-50R outlets for a transfer switch
- Electric start with a key-fob remote (up to 99 ft)
Cons
- 74 dBA: loud next to a house
- 227 lb shipping weight: wheels only
- Open-frame design, not an inverter
- No Canadian safety mark stated by Westinghouse
- Best for
- Larger homes that want to power several 240 V circuits through a transfer switch and keep propane as a stored fuel that doesn't go stale.
- Not for
- Quiet neighbourhoods, small sites, or anyone who needs to lift a generator into a vehicle.
Our verdict
The WGen9500DFc is the dual-fuel pick for bigger homes that want to run several 240 V circuits through a transfer switch. Westinghouse rates it at 9,500 running and 12,500 peak watts on gasoline, and 8,500 and 11,200 on propane, from a 457 cc engine. Its CO sensor shuts the engine down automatically, and the panel carries both a 120/240 V L14-30R, the outlet a transfer switch expects, and a 120/240 V 14-50R, plus two GFCI duplexes.
Propane is the reason to choose it over a gas-only unit: a stored cylinder doesn’t go stale. Westinghouse quotes up to 12 hours on the 6.6 gallon gas tank and about 7 hours on a 20 lb cylinder. Electric start works from a key fob up to 99 ft away. The costs are noise and bulk: 74 dBA, a 227 lb shipping weight, and an open-frame design rather than an inverter. Westinghouse states no Canadian safety mark for it.
Setup and safety
Outdoors only. Run it at least 6 m (20 ft) from the house, with the exhaust pointed away from doors, windows and air intakes, never in a garage, shed, basement or carport, even with the door open (Health Canada, CPSC). The key fob means you never need to stand next to it to start it, and the CO sensor is a backstop, not a reason to run it closer. Keep battery-backed CO alarms inside, outside the bedrooms.
Connecting it to the house. Never plug it into a wall outlet or wire it straight to the panel: that backfeeds the grid and can kill line workers (how a transfer switch or interlock prevents it). Westinghouse’s manual says a transfer switch must be installed to code by a qualified electrician before the generator powers a building. In most places that also needs a permit or a notice to your utility, sometimes before you buy; rules differ by province and state (see the rules by province and state). Generac’s 6382 switch takes a 30 A generator cord through its L14-30 inlet.
Break-in and upkeep. Keep the load under half the rated running watts for the first five hours, and change the oil (1.16 qt of SAE 10W-30) after the first 25 hours or first month. After that the display prompts service with codes P50 and P100. Use 87 to 93 octane unleaded; the manual rules out E15 and E85. Run it now and then and treat stored gasoline with stabiliser, or rely on propane.
Specs
Westinghouse WGen9500DFc Dual Fuel Generator with CO Sensor
Generator output
| Running watts | 9,500 W |
|---|---|
| Starting watts | 12,500 W |
| Fuel | Gasoline or propane |
| Largest outlet | 120/240 V 50 A (14-50R) |
| Parallel capable | No |
| Running watts on propane | 8,500 W |
Fuel
| Runtime at 25% load | 12 h |
|---|---|
| Fuel tank | 6.6 gal |
Other details
| CO shutoff | Yes |
|---|---|
| Noise (maker's rating) | 74 dB(A) |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Maker’s figures, checked 3 Nov 2026.
WGen9500DFc questions
How long does it run on propane?
About 7 hours on a 20 lb cylinder, per Westinghouse, against up to 12 hours on a full 6.6 gallon gas tank. Run time depends on the load. For a long outage on propane, plan on several cylinders or a larger tank.
Which outlet do I use for a transfer switch?
The 120/240 V L14-30R twist-lock, which Westinghouse calls transfer switch ready. It feeds a 30 A inlet and manual transfer switch fitted by an electrician. The 14-50R is a 50 A outlet for larger switches or other 50 A uses. Never connect either to the house without a transfer switch.
Is it too loud for a suburban lot?
It can be. Westinghouse rates it at 74 dBA, much louder than the inverters in our comparison, which run in the 50s and low 60s. Because it must sit at least 6 m (20 ft) from your house, it may end up closer to a neighbour’s. Check local noise rules before an outage.
Can I use it in Canada?
Westinghouse states no Canadian safety mark for the WGen9500DFc. If you find one in Canada, look for a CSA or cUL mark on the rating label.