Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 030741 generatorCheck best price → All photos, customer reviews and today's price →
CO shutoff · Gas · 8,000 W

Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 030741 review: our full analysis

Brand: Briggs & Stratton · Ranked 87th of 174 · Our methodology

7.1/10 Power8.6 Runtime8.1 Noise— Features6.9 Portability5.3 Watts per dollar7.5 Dotted line: average of the 174 models. Relative scores based on specs, no hands-on testing. Where to buy Today's best priceTypical price: $1,200–$1,800 Check best price Affiliate link: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Key takeaways. With 8,000 running watts (10,000 W starting), the Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 030741 is mostly aimed at home backup through a transfer switch or an interlock kit. It weighs 225.0 lb and runs about 9 hr at half load on a tank. Notable features: a CO shutoff sensor, electric start, a 240 V transfer-switch outlet.

Not clearly published by the manufacturer, take with caution: weight, fuel tank, noise level, CARB compliance.

Pros

  • 8,000 running and 10,000 starting watts from a 420cc Briggs & Stratton engine.
  • Four GFCI 120 V outlets and a 120/240 V 30 A locking outlet.
  • Key electric start, CO Guard shutdown and 12-inch never-flat wheels.

Cons

  • About 225 lb: it rolls, but lifting it into a truck bed takes two people.
  • Conventional alternator, not an inverter.
  • No USB or 12 V DC outlet.

Best for

  • Home backup through a transfer switch or an interlock kit

Specifications

TypeGas (open frame)
Running watts8,000 W gasoline
Starting watts10,000 W gasoline
FuelGasoline
Fuel tank7 gal
Runtime9 hr at 50% load
NoiseNot published
Weight225.0 lb
Outlets4 × 120 V household outlets (5-20R) · L14-30R 30 A 120/240 V twist-lock
Transfer switch readyYes
StartElectric push-button + recoil
CO shutoff sensorYes
Parallel capableNo
EmissionsNot stated
Engine420 cc
Warranty3 years
Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 0307418,000 running W · Gas · typical price $1,200–$1,800 Check price and availability

Who is it for?

The Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 030741 is mostly suited to:

  • Home backup through a transfer switch or an interlock kit.
1

8,000 running watts: what can it power?

The Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 030741 delivers 8,000 W continuously and up to 10,000 W for a few seconds to start motors. It handles 14 of the 14 loads on our typical list one at a time; add up the running watts of everything you run together, plus the extra starting watts of the biggest motor.

ApplianceRunning / starting wattsWill it run?
Wi-Fi router and modem20 W / 20 W✅ Yes
CPAP (no humidifier)50 W / 50 W✅ Yes
Laptop or TV150 W / 150 W✅ Yes
Full-size refrigerator700 W / 2,200 W✅ Yes
Chest freezer500 W / 1,500 W✅ Yes
Furnace blower (1/2 HP)800 W / 2,350 W✅ Yes
Sump pump (1/2 HP)1,050 W / 2,150 W✅ Yes
Microwave (1,000 W)1,000 W / 1,000 W✅ Yes
Space heater1,500 W / 1,500 W✅ Yes
Window AC (10,000 BTU)1,200 W / 3,600 W✅ Yes
RV roof AC (13,500 BTU)1,800 W / 2,800 W✅ Yes
Circular saw1,400 W / 2,300 W✅ Yes
Well pump (1 HP, 240 V)1,000 W / 4,000 W✅ Yes
Central AC (3-ton, soft start)3,800 W / 5,500 W✅ Yes

Typical figures; check the label of your own appliances. One load at a time: add up everything you run together.

Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 0307418,000 running W · Gas · typical price $1,200–$1,800 Check best price
2

How long does it run on a tank?

The fuel tank holds 7 gallons of gasoline. At half load, it runs about 9 hr on a full tank. That is about 0.78 gallon per hour at half load, or 19 gallons for a full day of running, so plan your fuel storage for a multi-day outage.

Fuel tank7 galgasoline
At 50% load9 hrmanufacturer figure
Fuel per day≈ 19 gal24 h at half load
3

Noise level

The manufacturer does not publish a noise figure for this model. Open-frame generators of this size typically run around 70 to 76 dB(A) at 23 feet; our noise score treats a missing figure as below average.

4

Outlets and home connection

Its panel offers 4 × 120 V household outlets (5-20R), L14-30R 30 A 120/240 V twist-lock. The L14-30R outlet supplies 120/240 V, which is what a manual transfer switch or an interlock kit with a power inlet box connects to, installed by a licensed electrician. Never backfeed the house through a wall outlet.

5

Start type, CO shutoff and warranty

It has electric push-button start, with a recoil cord as backup. A CO shutoff sensor stops the engine if carbon monoxide builds up around it; it does not replace distance (20 feet from the house) and CO alarms indoors. The warranty runs 3 years (residential use).

6

Typical price $1,200–$1,800: good value per watt?

Relative to its running watts, the Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 030741 scores 7.5/10 on value: an average result. Generator prices on Amazon move a lot, especially before hurricane season: check the current price before you buy.

Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 0307418,000 running W · Gas · typical price $1,200–$1,800 Check best price

Our verdict on the Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 030741

The Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 030741 scores 7.1/10 and ranks 87th out of 174 generators analyzed. Its strengths: 8,000 running and 10,000 starting watts from a 420cc Briggs & Stratton engine; four GFCI 120 V outlets and a 120/240 V 30 A locking outlet. It is best suited to home backup through a transfer switch or an interlock kit.

Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 0307418,000 running W · Gas · typical price $1,200–$1,800 Check best price

Featured in our rankings

Best gas generators (open frame)12th of 24Best portable generator for home backup59th of 68Best generator for a well pump55th of 62Best generator for construction and jobsites39th of 51Best generator with electric start67th of 92Best generator with a CO shutoff sensor73rd of 129Best 9500 watt generator and up46th of 50Best generator under $1,50064th of 142Briggs & Stratton generators: reviews and lineup comparison1st of 3

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Will the Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 030741 run a refrigerator?

Yes: its 8,000 running watts and 10,000 starting watts cover a full-size fridge, including the compressor's startup surge.

Can the Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 030741 power a house?

It can back up the essentials through a transfer switch or interlock kit connected to its L14-30R outlet.

How long does the Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 030741 run on a tank?

About 9 hr at half load according to the manufacturer.

Does the Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 030741 run on propane?

No, it runs on gasoline only.

Is the Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 030741 quiet?

The manufacturer does not publish a noise rating.

Briggs & Stratton 8000 Watt Elite Series 0307418,000 running W · Gas · typical price $1,200–$1,800 Check best price

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