What Size Generator Do You Need to Run a Dishwasher?
By the Generator Size Calculator Team · Updated · 5 min read
Quick answer: Honda lists a dishwasher at 1,450 running watts and 1,800 starting watts. That is above what a typical 2,000-watt inverter can run at the 80% rule, so a 2,500-watt generator is the minimum for the dishwasher alone, and a 3,500-watt generator runs it with a refrigerator and a few lights. The heating cycle is the big draw, so running it once a day is a sensible habit.
Dishwasher watts
| Appliance | Running watts | Starting watts |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | 1,450 | 1,800 |
| Refrigerator or freezer | 700 | 2,200 |
| Automatic clothes washer | 1,150 | 2,300 |
Honda lists the dishwasher at 1,450 running and 1,800 starting watts. Most of that is the heating element and the pump during the wash and dry cycles, so the load is not constant. Models differ, and a "heated dry" option adds to the draw, so check the rating plate.
Which generator size to choose
| Setup | Running load | Generator |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher alone | 1,450 W | 2,500 W |
| Dishwasher and refrigerator | 2,150 W | 3,500 W |
| Dishwasher, refrigerator and lights | 2,325 W | 3,500 W |
A typical 2,000-watt inverter delivers about 1,600 running watts, so its 80% mark of about 1,280 watts is below the dishwasher's 1,450. Sizes use the 80% rule and a starting capacity about 25% above the rating. For the full kitchen, see what size generator runs kitchen appliances.
Example: dishwasher, fridge and lights
| Load | Running watts |
|---|---|
| Dishwasher | 1,450 |
| Refrigerator | 700 |
| Lights, chargers, Wi-Fi | 175 |
| Running total | 2,325 |
The fridge compressor adds about 1,500 watts when it starts, more than the dishwasher's 350, so the peak is about 3,825 watts. A 3,500-watt generator carries 2,325 running watts under its 80% mark (2,800 watts), and its approximate 4,375-watt starting capacity covers the peak.
Add the dishwasher, fridge and everything else.
Tips to use less power
- Run it once, full, and at off-peak moments for the generator, such as when no other big appliance is on.
- Skip the heated dry. Open the door at the end of the cycle and let the dishes air dry.
- Wash by hand during a short outage. It saves the generator for the fridge.
- Check the water supply. A dishwasher needs running water, which a well pump may not provide in an outage. See well pump generator sizes.
Run the generator outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents. Never in a garage or shed, even with the door open. See how far a generator should be from your house.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a dishwasher use?
Honda lists a dishwasher at about 1,450 running and 1,800 starting watts.
Can a 2000-watt generator run a dishwasher?
Not comfortably. At 1,450 running watts it is above the roughly 1,280-watt 80% mark of a typical 2,000-watt inverter, so a 2,500-watt generator is the safer size.
Can a 3500-watt generator run a dishwasher and a fridge?
Yes. A dishwasher, a refrigerator and lights total about 2,325 running watts and a peak near 3,825 watts.
Does a dishwasher have a starting surge?
A small one, about 350 watts above running. The heating cycle is the main draw.
Is it worth running a dishwasher on a generator?
For a short outage, hand washing saves fuel. For a long one, running it once a day is reasonable.
Related calculators
Sources: Running and starting watts from the Honda generator wattage guide (dishwasher, refrigerator, automatic clothes washer). Generator sizes apply the 80% running rule and an assumed starting capacity about 25% above the running rating. The lights and chargers in the example are assumed values.