just to go back a post or two....
it is usually only the cheap gennies that throw out noticeable smoke and fumes as well as noise.
I have a kipor (uncrushed
) that runs very quietly, especially when the exhaust is placed in the vicinity of a bush or patch of long grass. (that is getting harder to find now the groundsmen are back at work!).
And as for fuel - it ran from 11:00am to 6:00pm yesterday, powered four chargers all day and a couple of soldering irons and only used just over half a tank.
it's true that with gennies as with all things, you get what you pay for.