A generator is a lifesaving tool indeed. If you are living in an off-grid farmhouse or an area where blackout is common, you know how important the generator is! Moreover, if you are a camper or RVier, a generator is a must-have tool for you.
You can run the appliances in which starting wattage is less than 1000-watt with a 1000-watt portable generator. Small appliances like light, bulbs, 4-cup coffee maker, blender, laptop, mobile charger with a 1000 watt portable inverter generator.
If you have already a 1000 watt generator or planning to buy a 1000 watt generator, you should know what will a 1000 watt generator run. Here, you will get a precise idea of what can you run or what cant you run with a 1000 watt generator.
So, keep reading.

Understand The 1000-watt Generator Rating
You should have a clear idea of the generator rating. If you read the generator Manual, you will find starting watt/peak and running watt. Do you know what do they mean actually?
All of your appliances are not the same. Some appliances need more starting/peak/surge watt than their running watt. Actually, it depends on their motor. Tools with an inductive electric motor need more starting watt. The refrigerator, furnace, air conditioner, drills are running by the inductive electric motor.
That means, if you have appliances that need 1000 watts to run, you can not run those with a 1000 watt generator in most cases.
Let me clarify. Like the appliances, the generator also has a peak and running watt. At first, you must be clear what is the peak watt and running watt of your generator?
Peak watt is 20% more than the running watt usually. When you start your generator by turning off the economy mode, it will run 5-7 seconds in the peak watt. Then it will run in the running watt.
What Can A 1000-Watt Generator Run?
List of the Appliances to Run with 1000 watt Generator.
Home Appliances
Appliance | Running Watt | Additional Starting Watt |
---|---|---|
Light bulbs | 12-watt-60-watt | 0-watt |
LED lights | 3-watt-15-watt | 0-watt |
Laptop | 250-watt-500 watt | 0-watt |
Desktop | 600-watt-800-watt | 0-watt |
Mobile Phone Charger | 10-watt | 0-watt |
Laser Printer | 900-watt | 0-watt |
Fax Machine | 65-watt | 0-watt |
Portable fan 4 | 40-watts-120 watt | 0-watt |
Small halogen space heater | 400-Watt-800-Watt | 0-watt |
Security System | 500-Watt | 0-watt |
Kitchen Appliances
Appliance | Running Watt | Additional Starting Watt |
4-cup coffee maker | 600-watts | 0-watt |
Dishwasher | 500-watt-600-watt | 0-watt |
Blender | 400-watts | 850-watts |
Slow cooker | 170-watt-300-watt | 0-watt |
Toaster | 850-watts | 0-watt |
Food Processor | 400-watts | 0-watt |
Microwave Oven | 625-watts | 0-watt |
Entertainment
Appliance | Running Watt | Additional Starting Watt |
Flat-screen TV (20 and 46 inches) | 120-watt-150-watt | 0-watt |
Surround sound system | 150-Watt | 0-watt |
VCR | 100-Watt | 0-watt |
Stereo | 450-Watt | 0-watt |
Color TV – 27 inch | 500-Watt | 0-watt |
Video Game System | 40-Watt | 0-watt |
AM/FM Radio | 100-watt | 0-watt |

Tools
Appliance | Running Watt | Additional Starting Watt |
¼” drill | 250-Watt | 0-watt |
1/2” drill | 750-Watt | 0-watt |
Electric Drill – 3/8in. 4 Amps | 440-watt | 600-watt |
Electric Drill – 1/2in. 5.4 Amps | 600-watt | 900-watt |
Battery charger for cordless tools | 8-watt-15-watt | 0-watt |
Portable nail gun with built-in compressor | 450-watt-650-watt | 0-watt |
Basic Home Appliances
You can not run all types of home appliances with a 1000 watt generator. You can run only the selective tools like a 150 watt to 200 watt TV, 400 watts to 800-watt microvan, 10-watt to 30 watt light, 150 watts to 200-watt box fan, and similar tools that need low watts to run.
You should not use more than 75% of the running watt of your generator. It is a hazardous practice for your appliances during harmonic distortion. You can not save your sensitive electronics from harmonic distortion by even using the AVR (Automatic voltage regulator). For your safety, you should not run more than 50% of the running watt of your generator.
So, you could go for the 1000 watt inverter generator rather than the mainframe generator to run your small appliances like a laptop, mobile charging, etc. inverter generators are a fuel-saving and safe option for sensitive electronics. Learn more about the power consumption of home appliances.
Power Tools
You can use some selective power tools with a 1000-watt generator. Most of the power tools need more than 1000 watts to run. So, you have a limitation here.
You should run only one power tool at a time. Yes, you can run multiple tools at a time, if their summation of watts does not exceed 700 watts.
You can run a battery charger (7-watt-15-watt), quarter-inch drill(250watt), portable nail gun with built-in compressor (400-watt-650-watt), table saw, air compressor, and all the tools that come with less than 1000 watts.
What Can You Not Run With a 1000-watt Generator?
You can not run the Heavy kitchen and home appliances with a 1000 watt generator. Most of the washing machine, Well Pump, furnace, dry cleaner, refrigerator, and freezer comes with more than 1000 watts. So, you can not run them.
I have already mentioned that you should not use more than 75% running watts of your generator. This means the standard practice is using a maximum of 750 watts a time with a 1000-watt generator.
Summary
Don’t underestimate the power of a 1000 watt generator. Actually, a 1000 watt generator is best for portable use. Like going camping, living in RV, working in a garage or worksite, a 1000 watt generator is incredible.
If you want to run the sensitive device with a 1000 watt generator, you could go for an inverter generator. This handy tool is worthy indeed.
Recent Posts
Generators are essential equipment that provides backup power in case of power outages. However, during cold weather, generators can be prone to freezing, which can cause significant damage to their...
If you have an outdoor generator, you may have found that it can be a bit of an eyesore. In addition, the noise it produces can be a nuisance for you and your neighbors. Luckily, there are...