The food truck industry has grown significantly over the years to become one of the most profitable businesses in the food service industry. If you're running a food truck business or considering starting one, you know that an essential factor for the smooth running of the business is having a reliable source of power. After all, the goal is to satisfy your customers; to do this, you need an environment that keeps all your appliances running - A food truck generator.
However, with the variety of generators available today, finding the best one for you could be overwhelming. If you belong in this category, then I'm glad I've found you because, in this guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about food truck generators, how much power is required for them to work effectively, and the best practices to take care of your generator.
What is A Food Truck Generator?
The food truck generator is a portable generator specially used to provide electricity for food trucks. Their fuel can be gasoline, diesel or solar energy, etc. The food truck generator of the business owner can easily obtain electricity from them and provide the business owner with normal business , to better serve customers.
How Much Power Does Your Food Truck Generator Need?
You need to consider certain factors before choosing a fitting generator for your food truck; one of these factors includes power and exactly how much you need. The amount of power your food truck generator needs will depend on its size as well as the appliances you're using.
For better illustration, suppose you own a food truck. Typical appliances you’ll likely need, and their wattage include the following:
|
Appliance |
Wattage(W) |
|
Refrigerator |
200-800 |
|
Freezer |
300-1000 |
|
Blender |
300-1000 |
|
Microwave |
600-1500 |
|
Espresso Machine |
1000-2000 |
|
Griddle |
1500-4000 |
|
Deep Fryer |
2000-5000 |
After summing up the total wattage of your appliances, you'll have a good idea of how much power your generator should provide. However, to be on the safer side, it's best you choose a generator with a little more than the total wattage of your appliances to provide room for accommodation if you decide to expand and add more appliances later.
Can You Power A Food Truck with A Solar Generator?
Absolutely! Solar generators are a great option if you want to go for a cost-effective (and eco-friendly) solution. They are portable, simple to use, and don't need to be refueled constantly to operate. Solar generators are a good fit for both long-term and short-term power outages.
Solar panels and batteries for solar generators come in a variety of sizes and capacities. The types of equipment you use for your food truck and their wattage are also important in choosing the right specification to help deliver optimum power to run your food truck effortlessly.
A solar generator would be a perfect option if you run a small food truck business with a not-so-much need for power. Also, if you prefer the sanity of working in a quieter environment without having to worry about the noise from traditional generators, then you have a good fit with solar generators.
Growatt Solar Generator for Food Truck
| Growatt Products | Features | Recharge Time |
| Growatt Solar Generator VITA 550 | 538Wh Capacity & 600W Output LiFePO4 Battery with 3,000+ Life Cycles to 80% Wall Charge in 1.6 Hours, 240W Solar Charge in 2.5 Hours Watt+ Up To 1050W - Drive a wider range of devices beyond 600W with the Watt+ feature Up to 11 outlets to power most of your devices Easy & Remote Control via App |
Solar 200W: 2.5H Wall Charging: 1.6H Car Charging(100W): 5.4H |
| Growatt Solar Generator INFINITY 1300 | 1382Wh Capacity & 1800W Output LiFePO4 Battery with 3,000+ Life Cycles to 80% Fully charged in 1.8 hours Up to 14 Versatile Outlets Reliable 24/7 UPS Easy & Remote Control via App 5-Year Warranty |
Solar 800W: 2.5H Wall Charging: 1.8H Car Charging: Support 12V/24V Standards |
| Growatt Solar Generator INFINITY 1500 | 1512Wh Capacity & 2000W Output Wall charge from 0%-80% in 1 hour; 0-100% in 2 hours Up to 12 Diverse Outlets Reliable 24/7 backup power (UPS) Easy & Remote Control via App 2-Year Warranty |
Solar 800W: 2.5H Wall Charging: 2H Car Charging: Support 12V/24V Standards |
Types Of Food Trucks and Their Appliances Wattage
Now that you have a decent idea of how much power your food truck generator needs to produce, let’s shift our focus to some of the different types of food trucks and their wattage requirements.
Concession Trucks
These trucks are typically larger than other food trucks and have the capacity for more appliances. If you own a concession truck, you'll need a generator that can effectively deliver at least 1500 to 5000 watts to accommodate the requirements of its appliances.
Kiosks
If you are looking for something relatively smaller that can cater to a few appliances, then Kiosks are a great option. For this, you'll need a generator with a power output of at least 500 to 1500 watts.
Ice Cream Trucks
Typical appliances you'll find in an ice cream truck are a freezer, refrigerator, and soft-serve machine. You'll need a generator that delivers a power outage of 500-1000 watts to effectively run one of these.
Catering Trucks
These are similar to concession trucks in their size but with fewer appliances. A generator that delivers a power output of 1500 to 3000 watts would be sufficient to power your catering truck.
What Makes a Good Food Truck Generator?
Having known the range of power output you need to power your food truck regardless of its size, let’s take a look at some of the factors you need to consider before choosing a food truck generator:
Cost
This is the most critical element to consider when choosing a generator for a food truck. Food truck generators come in a variety of price ranges, and it's vital that you go for one that fits your budget. However, you don't want to go for the cheapest ones you can find as there is the possibility that the qualities of such may be compromised.
Power/Capacity
As we mentioned earlier, it’s important that you choose a generator with a power output that slightly exceeds the total power of your appliances. Any generator you go for must have a capacity that matches the requirements of your food truck (and more).
Noise Level
One thing you should know about food truck generators is that they can be really noisy. You will be doing a disservice to your customers if the noise level of your generator is absurdly high. For this reason, it's best you go for generators with a noise level below 70 decibels.
Size and Weight
It is also important that your factor in the size and weight of the generator you need, especially if space is limited in your food truck. In this case, you may want to go for a more lightweight and compact option.
Warranty
Ensure you get a generator with a warranty, as it assures you that your device is protected in cases of defects or malfunctions.
How Do I Take Care of My Food Truck Generator?
If you want your generator to operate effectively and serve you for a long time, it is essential that you take proper care of it. Below are some tips to help you achieve this-
Traditional Generators
Regular check-ups and maintenance
Have a maintenance schedule in place for your generator to ensure it is operating at its optimum at all times. Maintenance routines, such as changing the oil, spark plugs, air filters, etc., are necessary to ensure your generator's longevity.
Refuel Regularly
Always check that your generator is not running on low fuel. Hence, you must keep it fueled up to ensure its smooth running. Also, it is important that you purchase high-quality fuel to prevent your carburetor from clogging.
Always Keep Your Generator Clean
You can do this by wiping your generator regularly to prevent dust and debris from building up.
Store Properly
Your generator needs to be stored in a dry and secure location to prevent the risk of exposure to moisture and even theft.
Solar Generators
Avoid water on your generator
Your solar generator may be water-resistant. However, there are limits to the amount of water even the best waterproof solar generators can tolerate. Anything beyond water splashes or quick immersions may pose a danger to the generator.
Ensure you don't overload your solar unit
Overloading your solar generator implies having more load on it than it would normally cater to. This causes too much load on the inverter and causes it to malfunction. To be on the safer side, ensure you don't load more than one-third of your inverter rating.
Avoid exposure to dust
Dust particles can affect the internal circuitry of your solar generator. These particles, when accumulated over time, could threaten the smooth running of your generator. Hence, it's best practice to always clean your generator before using it.
Conclusion
A reliable source of energy is the backbone of running a successful food truck business. Food truck generators are increasingly popular, which makes them a good option to power your food truck. However, it is essential that you choose the one that meets your appliance power requirement and is suitable for your food truck. Solar generators are a great option for people looking to operate their food trucks in a more cost-effective and eco-friendlier environment.
In addition, the efficiency and longevity of your generator are dependent on how well you take care of your generator. Finally, consider factors such as cost, power/capacity, runtime, noise level, size & weight, and warranty before choosing a generator.
FAQ
Are food truck generators reliable?
Yes, food truck generators are reliable as long as you choose one of good quality and take proper care of it.
What is the best power source for a food truck?
The solar generator is the most cost-effective and eco-friendly option. With the right number of solar panels and battery rating, you can run your food truck with no hassles. However, the traditional generators that require refueling may be a good option for people running their businesses in areas with minimal sunshine.
