What Size Generator Do You Need for a Refrigerator?
A modern refrigerator only draws a few hundred watts while running, but its compressor needs a short burst of 1,000–1,500 watts to start. Even a small inverter generator can keep a fridge and freezer cold, especially if you cycle them a few hours at a time.
| Appliance | Running / starting W | On its own | With fridge, lights and Wi-Fi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 300 / 1,500 | 2,000-watt 10 kW standby | 2,000-watt 10 kW standby |
| Freezer (chest or upright) | 200 / 1,000 | 2,000-watt 10 kW standby | 2,000-watt 10 kW standby |
Smallest portable (by starting watts) and smallest standby generator on natural gas, keeping about 20% headroom.
Tips
- Older refrigerators can draw 600–800 running watts and over 2,000 to start; check the label.
- Food stays safe about 4 hours in a closed fridge and 24–48 hours in a full freezer, so you can run them in shifts.
- An inverter generator is quieter and more fuel-efficient for small loads like this.
See also the appliance wattage chart and what each generator size can run.