What size generator to run a gas dryer (electric controls)?
Gas dryer (electric controls) sizing at a glance: it draws 700 running watts, surging to 1400W at startup.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Running watts | 700W |
| Starting (surge) watts | 1400W |
| Recommended class (this load + margin) | 2000W |
Why the startup surge matters
Because a gas dryer (electric controls) has a motor, it surges to about 1400W at startup — roughly 2× its running draw. If you size a generator only for the running watts, it can stall the instant the gas dryer (electric controls) switches on. Always size for the surge.
Sizing the whole system
The number above covers the gas dryer (electric controls) 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 gas dryer (electric controls) use?
A typical gas dryer (electric controls) draws about 700 running watts, but needs roughly 1400 watts at startup due to motor surge.
What size generator runs a gas dryer (electric controls)?
For the gas dryer (electric controls) alone plus a safety margin, a 2000W (≈2.0kW) class generator is appropriate. Add your other essential loads to size the full system.