Generac GP3600 Review: Is It Good Enough? - Generator Decision (2024)

Discover in this review in what situations you can consider the Generac GP3600 and when it is better to turn to other generators.

Table of Contents

Generac GP3600 review in short

The Generac GP3600 is budget-friendly but its high THD power is not suited for sensitive electronics.

There are also a decent number of cases where customers have technical issues with this generator.

If you are on a really tight budget, don’t mind the high THD, and don’t like the WEN GN4500 which is better in certain areas, you could consider the Generac GP3600.

That being said, many people will prefer one of the good 4500 watt inverter generators instead.

Generac GP3600 Review: Is It Good Enough? - Generator Decision (1)

Pros

  • Budget-friendly generator
  • Long run time

Cons

  • Good number of customers with technical issues
  • Loud 4500 watt generator
  • High THD power is not suited for sensitive electronics

Some of the best uses for the Generac GP3600 include:

  • Powering a variety of devices through your own inverter
  • Running machines like certain central air conditioning systems that can handle dirty power
  • Running power tools that you don’t mind risking early wear and tear on

Generac GP3600 performance in important categories

The quick Generac GP3600 review, pros, cons, and uses should make the general message about this generator clear.

However, you can also see how the Generac GP3600 performs in specific areas in the table below.

Performance CategoryGenerac GP3600 Score*Performance CategoryGenerac GP3600 Score*
Power Capacity7Fuel Efficiency7
Run Time6Ease Of Use7
Quiet Operation7Portability7
THD5Price Category$
Reliability Reputation6Overall Expert Rating6.5
Current PriceCheck Price

Individual reviews compare the specific model to portable generators in general and sometimes scores are based on customer input

Generac GP3600 key features

If you are still willing to consider the Generac GP3600, the key features can help you understand whether this portable generator is suited for your situation and needs.

FeatureGenerac GP3600 Detail
Fuel TypeGasoline
Starting Watts4500 Starting Watts
Running Watts3600 Running Watts
Run Time @25% Load9.3 Hours
Noise LevelsNo Rating But Open Frame
Non-Inverter And
Reviews Mention Loud
Outlets(1) 120V 30A L5-30R Twist-Lock
Outlet, (2) Duplex Of 120V
20A 5-20R Outlets
THDNot Suited For
Sensitive Electronics
Warranty*3 Years Limited Residential And
2 Years (Or 1000 Hours)
Limited Commercial
Price Category**$
Check Current Price

*Warranties can vary from seller to seller

**Price category at the time of writing

What will the Generac GP3600 run?

It is easy to find that the Generac GP3600 offers 4500 starting watts, 3600 running watts, 30 amps, and 120 volts but it is not always clear what devices you can run with this.

You can say a lot about what a 4500 generator will run but there are some shorter general guidelines that can help you get a first impression.

If you only want to run certain bigger devices, it can be helpful to know that the Generac GP3600 could provide enough power for a table saw, 1 HP air compressor, or 1/2 HP furnace fan (separately and you likely still want an inverter).

You can also go a different direction and run multiple small to medium-sized devices with your Generac 7677 GP3600 (again if you have your own inverter).

An example of a combination would be a pressure cooker, vacuum cleaner, blender, and slow cooker.

When in doubt, you can research the power needs of your specific appliances and tools to see whether the Generac GP3600 would be strong enough for these.

Generac GP3600 customer reviews insights

Even if the Generac GP3600 can run what you want and the features look alright, you want to know that some models are not as good as their description implies.

To uncover cases like this, you also want to check the generator reviews of all the customers before you.

At the time of writing, there are a decent number of negative Generac GP3600 reviews.

These negative reviews often involve technical issues that make it so the generator does not work as desired.

Additionally, although this should not be too surprising in an open-frame non-inverter, customers do mention that this generator is relatively loud.

It is worth noting that there are also a nice amount of customers who are happy with the Generac GP3600.

These people are especially positive about being able to generate so much power at a relatively budget-friendly price.

Generac GP3600 alternatives

The Generac GP3600 can be decent if you don’t mind the high THD dirty power and want to keep things budget-friendly.

However, even in this subcategory, you may prefer something like the WEN GN4500 which is similar but more budget-friendly, has a longer run time, and has better fuel efficiency.

Additionally, if you don’t mind investing more in a more reliable generator with clean power, the Westinghouse iGen4500 tends to be a great choice.

Is the Generac GP3600 worth it?

If you are on a really tight budget and don’t mind the dirty power, the Generac GP3600 can still be worth it.

That being said, it is likely worth checking out the WEN GN4500 review since you may prefer this similar generator that is slightly better in a few valuable areas.

Additionally, it is possible that you want to run sensitive electronics and don’t have your own inverter or want a quiet 4500 watt generator.

In these cases, you likely want to save up for an inverter generator anyway since the Generac GP3600 won’t offer you what you want.

Generac GP3600 Review: Is It Good Enough? - Generator Decision (2)

Other Generac GP3600 specs

I started this Generac 7677 GP3600 review with the details that tend to be the most relevant when choosing a portable generator.

At the same time, you may also want to know about some of the Generac GP3600 specs I did not mention yet. You can find these in the table below.

There is also the Generac GP3600 user manual which can be helpful for things like figuring out how to do an oil change.

SpecificationGenerac GP3600 Detail
Voltage120 Volts
PortableYes
Fuel Tank Capacity3.7 Gallons
Fuel Efficiency
(kWh Per Gallon)
4.524
Outlet CoversYes
Oil Type10W-30 For -10°F to 40°F
SAE 30 For 32+°F
Or Synthetic 5W-30 After Break-In
Engine Displacement212cc
Recoil Pull StartYes
Electric StartYes
Low Oil ShutdownYes
Fully Enclosed DesignNo
AC Frequency60 Hz
Remote StartNo
Built-In
Digital Smart LCD
Hour Meter Only
Hour MeterYes
Fuel GaugeYes
Wattage MeterNo
Run Time RemainingNo
Engine Type4 Stroke
Remote
Generator Operation
No
Parallel ReadyNo
WheelsYes
CO-MinderNo
Country Of OriginNot Mentioned
Dimensions24″ L x 22.5″ W x 21.3″ H
Weight105 lbs (47.6 kg)
Check Current Price

Generac GP3600 FAQ

What is the run time of a Generac GP3600 generator?

A Generac GP3600 generator has a run time of 9.3 hours at 50% load on a full tank.

How much oil does a Generac GP3600 take?

The Generac GP3600 has an oil capacity of 20.29 fluid ounces or about 0.6 liters.

Related posts:

  • Generac GP6500 Generator Oil Type Guide
Generac GP3600 Review: Is It Good Enough? - Generator Decision (2024)

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