The Ultimate Champion 10011 12000-Watt Gasoline Portable Generator Review

Depending on where you live, blackouts can last for hours, days, or even weeks. The longer they last, the more costly they can be if you’re not prepared. They’re also unpredictable — they can be triggered by inclement weather, human error, animals, and automobile accidents. 

That’s why you should consider getting a generator for backup energy. The right generator can keep your appliances, A/C systems, lighting, and stove running during a power outage. You can also use your generator for DIY projects, RVing, camping, tailgating, and operating food trucks. 

However, choosing the best generator for you can be difficult, especially if you’ve never bought one before. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of brands and models on the internet.

Luckily, we’re here to help. We’ve researched the top generator brands and sifted through thousands of Champion generator reviews, sites, and guides to find the best generators of 2022.

One of our favorites is the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator, a rugged yet portable Champion generator that can handle multiple large appliances and power tools. Equipped with a formidable 717cc V-Twin Champion OHV engine, this generator has what it takes to power your home or business during an outage. It also boasts a broad range of cutting-edge features, such as Cold Start Technology, a foldable U-shaped handle, a lift hook, a voltage monitor, and much more.

Read on for our review of the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator. We’ll cover this Champion portable generator’s description and specifications, common issues, price range, additional features, and what customers are saying about it. By the end of this guide, you’ll also learn how to determine whether the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator is the right one for you.

Champion 100111 12000-Watt Gas Portable Generator Review

Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator Description and Specifications

The Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator has many features, including:

Fuel Tank Capacity and Fuel Consumption

This Champion power generator has a fuel capacity of 10.9 gallons and consumes around 1.21 gallons per hour (GPH), which is rather high compared to similar models. For comparison, the Honda EU2800i has a fuel consumption of around 0.18 GPH.

In other words, the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator can quickly eat up a lot of fuel. If you have limited access to gasoline, consider getting a model with a lower GPH consumption.

Durable Steel Frame

Equipped with a sturdy steel frame, the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator is designed for outdoor use and tough environments. Its open-frame design also allows you to lift it above ground level.

Run-time Hours

The Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator has a maximum run time of nine hours at half load with a full tank.

Built-in Cold Start Technology

Another feature you’ll appreciate is Cold Start Technology, which ensures a quick start even during the coldest of winter nights. 

Custom Outlet Panel and Household Outlets

Control panel of the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator

The Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator features an impressive control panel. Here’s a breakdown of what it includes:

Seven Outlets

This generator offers a grand total of seven outlets for your appliances, including:

• A 120/240V 50A (14-50R)
• A 120/240V 30A Locking (L14-30R)
• A 120V 30A Locking (L5-30R)
• Two GFCI 120V 20A Duplex (5-20R)

This model isn’t exactly RV-ready, but you can use an L5-30P to TT-30R adaptor to allow a simple RV connection through the L5-30R receptacle. It also has a twist-lock L14-30R receptacle, making it transfer-switch ready. As such, you can easily connect it to a breaker box and power your home in case of a blackout.

All of these outlets have covers for protection.

Five-Mode Intelligauge Meter

The Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator also features a five-mode Intelligauge meter, which displays session and total runtime, voltage, and frequency. Use this meter to monitor output and track maintenance intervals.

Ignition Switch

This model has a handy ignition switch that you can just press to turn on.

Ground Terminal

The ground terminal protects your generator from lightning. 

Circuit Breakers

The product also offers a circuit breaker for overload protection, giving you peace of mind. 

Choke

Use the choke to provide more fuel to the engine during a cold start. The choke provides more fuel by limiting the amount of air flowing into the engine. This creates a mixture that has less air and more fuel.

You can turn the choke off once the generator has been running for a few minutes. At that point, the engine has reached the temperature required to run lean — with less fuel and more air in the mixture.

Dimensions and Weight

With a weight of 329.26 lbs. and dimensions of 33.9″ x 31.1″ x 33″, this model is incredibly sturdy. It’s ideal for all working environments, including workshops and the outdoors.

Noise Levels

This generator has a noise rating of 78 dBA from 23 feet, which is similar to what you would hear on a busy street.

Wheel Kit

The Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator also comes with a heavy-duty 12-inch wheel kit for portability. Once you’ve placed the generator on the ground, just push or pull the unit to get it moving.

Type of Fuel and Fuel Gauge

As a single fuel generator, the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator only runs on gasoline. It doesn’t have a fuel gauge, but it does have an Intelligauge meter on its control panel.

Certifications

This model boasts the following certifications:

• California Air Resources Board (CARB): This product is CARB-compliant, which means it can be sold and purchased in all 50 states, including California. It also emits fewer toxic fumes and burns fuel more efficiently than non-CARB-compliant generators.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA has tested this product and found that it meets EPA standards for protecting the environment.

Safety Features

Besides overload protection, the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator offers automatic low oil shut-off. It also comes with Volt Guard™, a built-in surge protector that protects your appliances and equipment from voltage spikes.

Warranty and Customer Service

Like many other Champion products, the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator includes a 3-year limited warranty with free lifetime support from Champion’s dedicated experts.

Maximum Portability of the Champion 100111

Last but not least, the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator is built for optimal portability. Although the generator is over 300 lbs., it comes with powerful wheels and a folding handle for portability. It also has a lift hook at the top of the frame for transporting, loading, and unloading the device.

Common Issues With the Champion 100111

Although the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator has many great features, it also has several issues, including:

Breaks Down Easily

The Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator doesn’t always work as intended. Several users on the Champion site said that the generator only worked for a few days or hours.

Hard to Move Around

This product is billed as portable due to its lift hook, open-frame design, and wheel kit. However, it’s still difficult to move around since it’s over 300 lbs. Many users had difficulties moving it:

• From their car to their house
• From one floor to another
• Across an obstacle-ridden workplace or yard
• From their house to the closest warranty service center

Loud

The Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator is billed as a quiet generator, but it’s actually quite loud. It has a noise rating of 78 dBA from 23 feet. It’s even louder if you work next to the generator all day. 

If you’re planning to work close to this generator, consider buying ear protection to protect your eardrums and stay focused on your projects. You could also build a sound-deadening enclosure around it or add a muffler.

Frustrating Customer Service

Although Champion offers a 3-year warranty and lifetime support on this product, many customers have complained about the company’s poor customer service. Several reviewers on the Champion site have revealed that Champion doesn’t always answer phone calls or emails.

Poor Quality Assurance

Some models have less than satisfactory quality assurance. Some reviews on the Champion site wrote that their model had various problems, including a slanted frame and crooked wheel axles. 

Hard to Find Replacement Parts

Several reviewers complained that many of the parts on the Operator’s Manual are hard to find. This includes model-specific parts found in the Owner’s Manual as well as simple replacement parts like oil filters.

Expensive Repairs

Unfortunately, repairs can often be more expensive than the listed price, especially if your model breaks down more than once in a short period of time.

Price Range

Depending on the vendor, you can get the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator anywhere from $2,200 to $2,500. This is a reasonable price for a generator of this caliber. It’s much more expensive than brands like Firman and King Canada, but less expensive than the likes of Honda, Winco, and Westinghouse.

Additional Features

What Are the Customer Reviews Saying? 

Most customers were satisfied with the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator. On the Champion site, 95% of respondents said they would recommend the product to a friend.

Of total reviews, 182 out of 224 reviews rated this product as excellent. Most of these users praised this generator for:

• Its power — many users wrote that it was able to run the entire house, including the heat pump
• Running smoothly without any issues
• Being easy to start and run
• Its budget price
• Its electric starter
• Its user-friendly five-mode Intelligauge meter

As for the remaining average-rated reviews, some users complained about the following:

• Poor customer service — several lower-rating reviewers wrote that Champion tech support rarely responded to their calls or emails
• Noise level
• Too much exhaust
• The tires could’ve been better

Here’s a summary of the pros and cons of the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator:

Is the Champion 100111 Portable Generator Right for You?

The Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator provides many cutting-edge features, including a powerful engine, a durable steel frame, and an impressive control panel. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best pick for you. Depending on your circumstances and priorities, another model may be a better fit.

Remember to keep the following factors in mind when determining whether the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator is for you:

Weight

If you’re looking for a portable generator, the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator may not be for you, particularly if you live alone and you don’t have anyone to help you move it around.

At over 300 lbs., the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator is far from lightweight. While it does have an open-frame design, lift hook, and wheels for portability, it’s still hard to move around.

Inverter Technology 

If you want a generator to power computers and mobile devices, the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator may not be for you. 

Unlike inverter generators, which produce cleaner and more consistent power by converting AC into DC and inverting it back to AC, non-inverter generators like the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator have high total harmonic distortion. As such, they’re unsuitable for powering sensitive electronic equipment like computers, laptops, and phones. In fact, plugging your phone or laptop into non-inverter generators may cause memory loss and operation errors.

Noise

The Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator is quite loud compared to similar models. It produces 78 dBA of noise at 23 feet. For comparison, the Honda EG2800i only has a noise level of 61 dBA, which is only as loud as an idle car.

As such, if you want to work in a quiet environment, consider getting a different model.

Single Fuel or Dual Fuel

As a single fuel generator, the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator can only use gasoline. 

If you want to use more than one fuel type, this generator isn’t for you. Instead, you should buy a dual fuel generator, which uses two different types of fuel — such as gasoline and propane — to extend runtime. 

Dual fuel generators are a good choice for rural homeowners and travelers because they let you choose your fuel source depending on your power output requirements, fuel availability, and noise restrictions. For instance, if you live in an area with no propane, you can run your dual fuel generator on gasoline until you get propane.

Runtime

If you’re looking for a long runtime, this generator may not be for you, as it only runs for around nine hours. Comparative models can run up to 14 hours. 

Fuel Efficiency

As discussed above, the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator consumes 1.21 GPH. This is extremely high compared to models of a similar caliber. As such, if you want to save on fuel or have limited access to it, consider getting another model.

RV-Ready

If you’re looking for an RV-ready generator, you may want to look elsewhere. However, the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator can be connected to an RV through its L5-30R receptacle if you have an L5-30P to TT-30R adaptor.

Low Oil Shut-off

The Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator is the generator for you if you want a tool that automatically shuts off when oil falls below minimum levels. This device has a low oil shut-off sensor that immediately shuts down the device to prevent engine damage when oil gets too low.

Number of Outlets

If you’re looking for a generator with multiple outlets, the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator is a great choice. It offers seven outlets for spreading the wattage load: 

• A 120/240V 50A (14-50R)
• A 120/240V 30A Locking (L14-30R)
• A 120V 30A Locking (L5-30R)
• Two GFCI 120V 20A Duplex (5-20R)

Safety Features

If you’re looking for safety features, the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator has plenty. Besides a low oil shut-off, it also has a circuit breaker for overload protection and a built-in surge protector for protecting your appliances and equipment against voltage spikes.

Electric Start

Consider getting the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator if you don’t have the strength to pull-start engines. 

Like many other leading generators, this tool comes with an electric start. Just press it to kickstart the engine. The electric start also features a reliable toggle switch and built-in Cold Start Technology for quick starts in cold weather.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connection

If you want a generator that comes with a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi-supported app, the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator isn’t for you. Unfortunately, unlike many modern generators, this model is completely analog, with no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or any kind of app support. 

However, Champion does offer lower-wattage generators with Bluetooth support, such as the Champion 100554 3500W Wireless Start Generator. Consider getting those models if you want an app to control and monitor your generator from afar.

Budget

Finally, you should consider the price of the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator.

The Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator falls somewhere in the middle in terms of price and functionality. While it’s a lot cheaper than Honda and Westinghouse, it costs several hundred dollars more than budget brands like Firman. Accordingly, it has many features that higher-end models have, such as the Intelligauge meter, Cold Start Technology, and built-in safety features. However, it also lacks features that many expensive models have, such as inverter technology and Bluetooth connection.

To conclude, you can’t let price determine whether you should buy the Champion 10011 12000-Watt Generator — or any other generator, for that matter. You also need to consider all of the factors we’ve covered above, especially weight, noise level, inverter technology, fuel efficiency, and fuel technology.

Why Choose Champion?

Champion Power Equipment (CPE) displays an unrelenting commitment to high-quality manufacturing processes and superior customer service. Naturally, CPE stands behind every item that comes off the assembly line with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

In short, this brand represents the best that United States engineering has to offer.

FAQs About the Champion 100111