Power Outages and Life on 10 Acres

When we moved into our house on ten acres, we expected plenty of challenges—chopping wood, clearing trails, keeping up with all the maintenance that comes with a big piece of land. What we didn’t expect was how often we’d be plunged into complete darkness. Out here, power outages aren’t just an occasional inconvenience; they’re a regular part of life.

Living near Lake Erie means dealing with strong winds year-round, lake-effect snowstorms in the winter, and summer thunderstorms that bring severe gusts. When the weather turns rough, the power tends to go out. And in August 2024, we had our worst outage yet—a full three days without electricity.

When Everything Stopped

Losing power for a few hours is one thing, but three full days? That was something else entirely. My wife is a full-time jeweler, which means she relies on her equipment every single day. Without electricity, she couldn’t work at all. I work from home, too, and suddenly, everything was at a standstill. No internet, no lights, no way to keep food from spoiling. We managed, but it wasn’t fun. Our toddler, of course, was completely unfazed by the whole situation.

We had talked about getting a generator for months before that storm, but like a lot of things, it got pushed down the list. After those three days in August, we knew we had waited too long. So, we finally started looking at options. We checked out Menard’s, Bass Pro, and a few other stores before deciding on the Cabela’s Outdoorsman Series 5,000W/4,000W RV-Ready Dual-Fuel Portable Generator with Electric Start and CO Shield.

Putting the Generator to the Test

For something that looks pretty small, this generator pulled its weight. One fill powered everything we truly needed—our fridge, the internet, both laptops, two TVs, a small fan (because August humidity is no joke), and even made several rounds of coffee. It also kept our son’s Nintendo Switch charged, which, as any parent knows, is a survival essential.

We ran it well away from the house, and the built-in CO Shield gave us peace of mind. With a single fuel-up at 7 p.m., it ran all night long without issue. Safe to say, we were impressed.

Now that we’ve had time to put it through its paces, let’s break down the details for anyone considering a solid backup power option.

Cabela’s Outdoorsman Series Generator: What You Need to Know

Power and Fuel Flexibility

One of the best things about this generator is its dual-fuel capability—it runs on either gasoline or propane, which is great when fuel availability is unpredictable.

• On gasoline, it provides 5,000 starting watts and 4,000 running watts
• On propane, it delivers 4,500 starting watts and 3,600 running watts

This is enough power to keep essential household appliances running, including a RV air conditioner, which makes it a strong choice for both home backup and outdoor use.

Runtime and Efficiency

Long runtime is another big plus. At 50% load, the generator runs:

• Up to 14 hours on gasoline
• Up to 10.5 hours on propane

For extended outages, that kind of efficiency makes a real difference.

Cold Weather Performance and Portability

The electric start makes getting it up and running easy, and it includes Cold Start Technology, which helps in low temperatures. At 121 pounds, it’s not exactly light, but the foldaway U-shaped handle and never-flat tires make it much easier to move around.

Safety Features

Cabela’s built in several safety features that stand out:

• CO Shield technology prevents carbon monoxide buildup
• Low-oil shutoff sensor helps protect the engine from damage
• Built-in surge protector adds an extra layer of safety
• Intelligauge monitoring system tracks voltage, frequency, and runtime

These features make it a safer choice, especially if you’re using it for home backup power.

What Users Are Saying

Customer reviews highlight a mix of strengths and minor drawbacks:

Pros:
✅ Fuel-efficient with a long runtime
✅ Dual-fuel capability for flexibility
✅ Electric start makes it easy to use
✅ Portable despite its size

Cons:
🔈 It can be loud—about 74 decibels during operation
⚠️ Some components, like the gas cap and choke lever, are plastic, which raises concerns about durability
🛠️ A few users noted loose assembly issues out of the box that needed tightening

How It Compares to Other Generators

For a mid-range generator, the Cabela’s Outdoorsman Series holds up well against competitors.

• Westinghouse WGen9500DF: More powerful, better for whole-house backup, but pricier
• WEN DF360iX: Quieter and more compact, but with a shorter runtime and lower wattage
• Cabela’s Outdoorsman: Balances power, portability, and efficiency at a reasonable price

Its 14-hour runtime at 50% load on gasoline is especially impressive compared to similar models.

For us, getting a generator was a necessity, not just a convenience. The Cabela’s Outdoorsman Series has kept us running during outages, given us peace of mind, and made sure we never have to go days without power again. It’s not perfect—no generator is—but for the price, the dual-fuel capability, long runtime, and built-in safety features make it a solid choice if you’re on a budget.

If you live in an area where power outages happen more often than you’d like, having something reliable like this on hand makes all the difference.