What size generator to run a dishwasher?
Dishwasher sizing at a glance: it draws 1300 running watts, surging to 2600W at startup.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Running watts | 1300W |
| Starting (surge) watts | 2600W |
| Recommended class (this load + margin) | 3500W |
Why the startup surge matters
Because a dishwasher has a motor, it surges to about 2600W at startup — roughly 2× its running draw. If you size a generator only for the running watts, it can stall the instant the dishwasher switches on. Always size for the surge.
Sizing the whole system
The number above covers the dishwasher on its own with a safety margin. In a real outage you'll run other things too — and the right method is your total running load plus the single largest surge among everything, not the sum of every surge. Use the full calculator to size your actual setup:
Common questions
How many watts does a dishwasher use?
A typical dishwasher draws about 1300 running watts, but needs roughly 2600 watts at startup due to motor surge.
What size generator runs a dishwasher?
For the dishwasher alone plus a safety margin, a 3500W (≈3.5kW) class generator is appropriate. Add your other essential loads to size the full system.