Can a Portable Power Station Run a Fridge in a Blackout?

When the power goes out, it’s a race against the clock before all of the food in your fridge goes bad. Finding a solution to a blackout will help you save all of the expensive groceries that are at risk of going bad. A gas generator is often an option, but with advancing technology, we have to ask ourselves if there’s a better way. Portable power stations have become more affordable and more powerful, but the question still stands: can a portable power station power your fridge during a blackout?

Can you run a refrigerator on a power station?

The short answer is yes, but it depends on the size of your fridge, the amount of power it draws, and the size of your portable power station.

The Type and Power Needs of the Refrigerator

Refrigerators come in all shapes and sizes and when it comes to power, size does matter. Mini fridges require much less power to run when compared to full-size refrigerators. The average mini fridge requires anywhere from 50 watts to 100 hundred watts to run effectively. This is no problem for the average power station which can output anywhere from 500 to 1000 watts.

Larger refrigerators require much more power. The typical refrigerator requires around 100 watts to 500 watts per hour while larger models may require anywhere from 500 watts to 800 watts per hour.

Full-size refrigerators also require enough power to start up before functioning. Start-up power usually requires around double the wattage needed to run the refrigerator.

How Long Will You Be Running the Fridge?

Power output is measured in Watt-hours which is the maximum amount of wattage a power station can produce over an hour. You can determine how long a portable power station can run a refrigerator by taking the watt-hour output and comparing it to the number of watts required per hour. In many cases, a portable power station will only be able to run a full-size fridge for around two hours.

For example, if a refrigerator requires 500 watts per hour and your power station is rated for 1000 watt-hours, you can run the fridge for two hours on the power station.

Power Output of Your Portable Power Station

Not all portable power stations are equal. While some are great for charging your cell phone and other small devices, others are built for much more. In order to run a full-size refrigerator for an extended period of time, you will need a power station that can accommodate a large power output. The more watt-hours your portable power station can produce, the longer it will be able to keep your refrigerator cold.

What are exterior conditions?

The weather surrounding your fridge can also influence how well it can run on a portable power station. The warmer the weather conditions, the more power the fridge may need to get to the temperature you need. Warmer exterior conditions can require almost 20% more power from your fridge.

How to power fridge with power station?

Once you have determined that your power station is capable of running your refrigerator, powering your appliance is easy. Simply plug in your fridge with a standard power chord into one of the outlets on the power station and you are good to go.

Pros and Cons of Powering Your Fridge With a Power Station

While running a refrigerator with a power station is not a sustainable option, it is a great solution for blackouts and other emergencies. Here are some of the pros and cons of powering your refrigerator with a power station instead of other alternative power methods.

Pros

· Ease of Use – Portable Power Stations are much easier to use than gas generators. They do not require a difficult starting process. All you have to do is plug in your fridge and you are good to go.  

· Portability – A portable power station can do more than just save you in a blackout. It can be used as a portable generator for fridge for camping trips and RVs.

· Cleaner Energy Options – Running a gas generator indoors can be dangerous and smelly. Portable power stations keep the gas smell out of your house while still keeping your fridge running.

· Quiet Operation – Portable power stations are silent. Which is a huge improvement over the loud rumbling of a traditional gas generator.

Cons

· Battery Size – One of the major downsides of using a portable power station to power a fridge through a blackout is the size of the battery. While the battery in the portable power station can have your refrigerator running for some time, it cannot be continuously used unlike a generator. You will need to continually charge the battery if you plan on running the refrigerator for an extended amount of time.

· Power Output – Portable power stations are capable of running your fridge, but they still have a limited power output especially when compared to gas-powered generators. In extreme conditions or with a large appliance, power stations may struggle to provide the power output you need to keep your fridge performing at high levels.  

· Cost – While power stations do not come with the additional cost of fuel, they are often more expensive than gas generators. This is because power stations often use lithium-ion batteries that are costly.

Be Prepared with a Power Station from Pisen

When an emergency strikes, you’d rather be safe than sorry. The Pisen Portable Power Station can give you peace of mind that even when the worst happens, you’ll have the power you need to see it through. The Pisen Portable Power Station is a great refrigerator backup power solution because it can run your fridge for long enough for power to be restored. Not only is the Pisen Portable Power Station a great portable power station for refrigerator backup, but it is also versatile enough for all of your power needs. From charging your devices while traveling to keeping your food safe to eat during a power outage, Pisen can help you be prepared for whatever life throws at you.