Last year during our big snowstorm we lost power for several days and I bought a portable generator to use to keep freezer and fridge running. By the time I got home the power was on and I kept it in the box. I decided to keep the generator for emergencies, but have never removed it from the box. Is it better to take it out and run it or to keep it in a new condition? It has been a year now and I have been undecided which is best for the engine.

This is my opinion. It should be ran once a month for a couple reasons. First, you need to know if it even runs (maybe you got a lemon and dont even know it yet...dont want to find out during an emergency ). Second, all engines should have oil circulated on occasion to keep bearings lubed. I would also want to get any required break-in period completed and fresh oil/filter into it. If it was me, I would also use recreational fuel with a quality fuel stabilizer...I dont trust that rec fuel is 100 percent ethanol free. Again, just my opinion...

I have one that is 10 years old and never had gas in it. bought after a tornado and put it on a bench in shop.

I bought a Honda generator 15 years ago ! I asked the Dealer if I could just store it until needed. His answer was store it in a dry environment and it should be fine until you need to actually use it !

I think he is correct as by far the most common reason a motor needs to be brought to the shop revolves around dirty carburetor and crap gas from my understanding. I actually bought 2 gallons of the sealed fuel that is shelf stable and put it on the shelf with it.

We heat with an outside wood boiler. I bought one to run the damper and pumps on the boiler in the event we lose power.

I think midlander is right

I have had one for 20 plus years, use it in emergencies then run the carb dry, drain all gas and it’s always started right back up. I say leave it in the box until you need it.

Besides, when doing nothing is an option, it’s usually the best choice.

I would get some 91 no ethanol , check the oil set it up run it some , because figuring out it doesn't work when you really need and relied on it being your out it is a lot worse than finding out now and running to the hardware store for a missing bolt or minor thing.

treat it just like the Fire department , you only run the best gas and every month you take it out and run it under a load for 15-20 minutes, then shut off the fuel and let it run dry.

If it's never been used it probably should be OK. If it's been run, I would think you probably want to do the once a month maintenance runs.

I run aviation gas in my chain saws. Why? It has a 5 year shelf life no ethanol infact still has lead. Never have carb problems either. It's expensive yes but I don't use more than 10 to 15 gal a year. I also run them at 32 to 1 fuel mix vs 50 to 1. Never had a problem with carbs or starting issues been doing this 5 years.

May be good for generators that don't get used much.

I dont trust that any fuel is 100 percent ethanol free. My father in law talked to some oil/gas tycoon in Bozeman a couple years ago who said gas stations could call a gas ethanol free as long as it was under 10 percent ethanol.

Need to test and see if it works.

Imo, it should be run periodically, however, I don't think once a month is necessary. I have several outboards, three ATV's and a Honda generator that get run once a year, during the month of July.
I've been doing this with some of the same equipment for over 15 years. This is in a humid, marine environment, and I never have problems.

The trick is putting everything away properly; that means #1 (by far the most important) use only non-ethanol gas with fuel stabilizer, then fog the cylinders, I then spray corrosion blocker on any external mechanical parts, like throttle linkage.

I think the point made above about engine break-in is a very valid concern also.

i would leave it in the box

Once you open it and run it then you have to service it periodically. That same generator could still be in the box at the dealer or factory!

Surprises me how many on here would recommend waiting until a power emergency to see if your generator will actually start and run for the first time...

run that puppy...just a little gas then run it dry and put in some seafoam.....make sure the oil is at the top of the hash marks.

Run it a couple times a year.

and when you pull it out of the box needing it that day to find QA missed something , what do you do then?

a lot of 21st century QA is driven by customer complaint the term/acronym OTDIG out the door it goes
assembly happens and nothing is tested because of the time it would take to test and the shipping issues it would create having fuel in the boz

so the units in the past were made , shipped and you bought a lawnmower from dealer who unpacked it from the box or crate , put the wheels and handle on it , then filled the oil , added fuel and se the carburetor then delivered it to you.

with big box stores you get a box , you do the final assembly handles , wheels ect...

if there was an issue with a dealer he filed a claim and the manufacturer paid him to make it run or ship it back if the issue was too much.

if they produce 100 units and 1 has an issue they would have tested 100 units to find 1 issue this takes time
so you find that issue call them and they say take it to the store you bought it here is your return code they will give you a new one off the shelf. or they tell you a dealer to take it to for warrantee repair.

The gen set should be good if stored properly in the box for several years. Over time seals, gaskets and diaphrams will 'dry and take a set' from gravity, lack of motion and lubrication.

It's assumed a boxed unit is good, even factory tested; but, there is always unpredictable, infant morality component failures which is why manufacturers offer a limited warranty. Do you really want to find that out in an emergency? I would be taking the unit out of the box, setting it up, running good fuel and oil, testing for proper operation and then store the unit per the manufacture's directions with ongoing maintenance. Just my thoughts and experiences.