commercial food truck equipment

Food trucks are soaring in popularity as entrepreneurs use them to start their own small business. But serving food on the street isn’t as easy as slapping on a cute logo and hitting the pavement. To whip up delicious dishes, food truck owners need high-quality equipment to store, cook, and transport their ingredients. Without the right gear, they risk losing customers to competitors. That’s why investing in top-notch commercial food truck equipment is a wise choice for any budding food truck entrepreneur. Here we’ll explore some common equipment used on food trucks and how to choose the best options for your business.

Types of Commercial Food Truck Equipment

Commercial food truck equipment is crucial for every food truck business to thrive. With the right equipment and tools, food truck owners and operators can prepare, cook, and serve delicious food to their customers efficiently. Here are some of the essential commercial food truck equipment types:

1. Cooking Equipment

One of the most crucial sets of equipment for food trucks is cooking equipment. It includes a range of kitchen appliances such as grills, fryers, ovens, stoves, and steamers. Food truck owners need to choose the appropriate cooking equipment based on their menu offering and space availability in their truck.

2. Refrigeration Equipment

Another essential piece of equipment for food trucks is refrigeration equipment. It includes coolers, freezers, and fridges. These appliances are used to keep the ingredients and cooked food at the right temperature, that is crucial for food safety and longevity. Food truck owners can choose from different sizes of refrigeration equipment based on their truck’s size and their storage needs.

3. Food Preparation Equipment

Food preparation equipment includes appliances like slicers, mixers, cutters, and food processors. These pieces of equipment are used to save time for food prep work and ensure consistency in the preparation of dishes offered. Food truck owners should consider investing in food preparation equipment that will help them save time and effort in food preparation.

4. Dishwashing Equipment

Dishwashing equipment is another essential piece of equipment that food truck owners should invest in. It includes dishwashers, sinks, and dish drying racks. Food truck owners need to ensure that their dishwashing equipment is up to standard for food safety and hygiene.

5. Storage Equipment

The storage equipment in food trucks includes shelves, cabinets, and racks for storing ingredients and utensils. Being limited in space, it is crucial to invest and install efficient storage equipment to maximize space and ensure that everything is readily available when needed.

6. Serving Equipment

Serving equipment is also vital in food trucks. It includes serving counters, POS systems, and customer service tools to ensure that the customers receive great service and orders are processed accurately.

7. Fire Safety Equipment

Fire safety equipment is crucial for not just commercial kitchen trucks but every food truck business. It includes fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems, and smoke detectors to ensure that the truck is safe and equipped to handle emergency situations.

8. Electrical Equipment

Electrical equipment comprises wiring, generators, and electrical outlets. It is crucial to ensure that electrical equipment in food trucks is in check and that there is no risk of electrical hazards and malfunctions.

9. Plumbing Equipment

The plumbing equipment in food trucks includes water tanks, sinks, water pumps, and pipes. It is essential to keep them in check to ensure that they do not cause any adverse health effects to the customers.

10. Exhaust Hoods and Vents

Exhaust hoods and vents are vital for food trucks to ensure that smoke and steam are wafted out of the interior. They help prevent accidents and keep the interior as comfortable as possible for the food truck’s staff.

The Essential Commercial Food Truck Equipment You Need

When setting up your food truck business, you need to have the right commercial food truck equipment at your disposal. This will not only help you to prepare delicious meals and serve your customers better but also ensure that your operation runs smoothly. Here are some of the essential equipment that you will need to have in your food truck:

1. Refrigeration Equipment

One of the most important pieces of commercial food truck equipment is refrigeration. You need to keep your ingredients, ready-to-eat meals, and beverages at the right temperatures to prevent spoilage. The most popular options for food trucks include commercial under-counter refrigerators, reach-in refrigerators, and display refrigerators.

2. Cooking Equipment

Without cooking equipment, you cannot prepare fresh meals on your food truck. This category includes griddles, fryers, ovens, and stoves. Depending on your menu, you may need to have different types of cooking equipment. However, make sure that the equipment you choose is compact, high-quality, and easy to clean.

3. Food Warmers

You cannot serve cold food or drinks to your customers, which is where food warmers come in. These commercial food truck equipment items include steam tables, soup warmers, and bain-maries. They help to keep your dishes at the right temperature until you’re ready to serve.

4. Prep Tables

Prep tables are essential for rapid food preparation. They allow you to have all the ingredients you need at your fingertips, organized and ready for use. Most food trucks use stainless steel prep tables with built-in sinks for easy cleaning.

5. Storage Containers

You’ll need to store your ingredients safely and securely when not in use, and storage containers are essential for this purpose. You can choose between plastic and stainless steel containers, depending on your preferences and budget.

6. Serving Equipment

Serving equipment is necessary to make your food service efficient. This category includes plates, bowls, utensils, and napkins. You should consider the number of customers you’ll be serving and what types of food you’ll be offering when stocking up on serving equipment.

7. POS Systems

A point of sale (POS) system is essential to handle cash and electronic payments, track sales, and manage your inventory. You need a compact and user-friendly POS system that can handle your unique needs.

8. Generator

Your food truck needs a reliable source of electricity to power all of your commercial food truck equipment. A generator is a must-have piece of equipment that can run all day to keep your food truck on the move.

9. Fire Suppression System

A fire suppression system is essential in operating a food truck. It is a safety feature that automatically triggers the shut-off of gas and electrical power in the event of a fire, minimizing damage to your equipment and keeping your customers safe.

10. Cleaning Supplies

Finally, you need to have cleaning supplies to maintain the cleanliness and healthiness of your food truck. You’ll need to clean your equipment after every service, so stock up on commercial-grade cleaning supplies, including sanitizers, degreasers, scrubbers, and cleaning cloths.

In conclusion, investing in high-quality commercial food truck equipment is essential to the success of your food truck business. Choose the right equipment that will help you to prepare delicious meals efficiently, and keep your customers happy and satisfied.

5 Must-Have Equipment for Your Commercial Food Truck

Running a food truck business is not easy, and especially when it comes to equipping your truck with the right commercial food truck equipment. As the demand for food trucks grows, customers expect high-quality food with efficient service. To conduct your business smoothly and offer your customers excellent food service, it’s essential to invest in quality food truck equipment. Here are the five must-have equipment for your commercial food truck:

1. Griddle

A griddle is an indispensable piece of equipment for every food truck owner. It’s versatile and can be used for cooking many different types of food. You can cook breakfast items like eggs, bacon and pancakes, steam vegetables, and also cook patties, sandwiches, and many more. With so many options, you can create an endless amount of food dishes on your menu. Additionally, choosing the right griddle size and power is crucial to meet your cooking needs.

2. Deep Fryer

When it comes to fast food, people crave fried goodies, and a deep fryer makes that possible in a food truck. A professional-grade deep fryer is an excellent addition to your food truck equipment list. Deep fryers allow you to cook crispy and delicious food in a short amount of time. You can cook French fries, fried chicken, onion rings, seafood, and more, which are the all-time favorite items of customers.

3. Refrigeration Units

Refrigeration units are essential to keep your ingredients fresh and your food items safe to eat. Depending on your truck’s size and volume of food items, you may require a few refrigeration units. It helps you store perishable items like dairy, meat, and vegetables at a safe temperature. You can opt for a variety of refrigeration units like under-counter refrigerators, chest freezers, or reach-in refrigerators.

4. Microwave Oven

Although microwave ovens are not typically considered cooking equipment, they are still essential for every food truck business. Microwaves are perfect for reheating food, and they also come in handy when you’re stuck in long lines or running low on time. Owning a microwave saves your customers’ time and improves your service efficiency.

5. Propane Gas System

A propane gas system is an absolute must-have for every commercial food truck. Almost every cooking equipment used in the food truck requires propane gas. Along with that, it’s a safe and efficient fuel source for cooking. You can opt for a custom-built propane tank that meets your specific needs.

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Propane Gas System	Safe fuel source, Efficient heating, Easy to use.	Cylinder refills, Can be costly if the propane tank is insufficiently powered.

Conclusively, investing in the right commercial food truck equipment is vital for your food truck business. With the right equipment, your business will run efficiently, provide high-quality food, and amaze your customers with your service. Identify your needs and choose the right equipment that will support your food truck business and ensure your success.

Learn more about the essential commercial food truck equipment by reading this comprehensive guide on food truck equipment.

Thank You for Joining Us!

We hope that you’ve enjoyed learning about commercial food truck equipment as much as we did. We know that your passion for street food is real, and we are here to support that. From the initial planning of your food truck kitchen to the necessary equipment, everything counts. We will continue to provide you with the latest trends and useful tips to help you focus on your business and grow it successfully. Until we meet again, happy cooking and happy eating!