“A totally separate rig only used during outages would require a lot of diligence to make sure that it runs when needed. ”
Probably true for a portable unit that uses liquid fuel, but I’ve been quite impressed with the reliability and minimal maintenance required on my home standby unit. I change the oil and filters once a year, and that’s it. The fuel (natural gas) is always fresh and available, and the fact that it’s totally automated is priceless. No extension cords, every critical circuit is powered by it, including the garage doors. We once came home from a long trip during a power outage and didn’t even realize the power was out until we got inside the house. :B
:):)