Did you know that the global food truck market is worth nearly four billion dollars? Moreover, experts believe that food trucks will continue to become more popular in the coming years and grow 6.8% by 2028.
Although the restrictions during the pandemic affected food truck owners, many fairs, festivals, and parades will be held this year, leading to excellent opportunities for food trucks!
Do you dream of starting a food truck business? If so, now is the perfect opportunity to do so! But, before you can draw up a menu and get cooking, you’ll need to equip your truck.
This post will guide you through all the equipment you need, so keep reading for a checklist!
1. Cooking Equipment
The types of food and drinks you plan on serving will determine the cooking equipment you need. But, most often, food trucks use various methods to cook up delicious items. Let’s look at a few!
Griddles
Griddles can cook large quantities of food at once, such as hamburgers or tacos. Typically, they don’t take up a lot of space since they are built into the counter.
Of course, if you have a griddle, you will need a ventilation system that redirects the smoke from cooking oils and grease out of the vehicle.
Fryers
Fryers are necessary if you plan to offer fried foods, such as chicken or french fries. But, they are also quite dangerous, so be sure you and your employees know how to use the fryer properly and follow safety precautions.
Moreover, check with local laws since fire safety laws may not permit fryers in food trucks in your area.
Food Warmers
Warmers keep all your food hot and ready to serve to eager customers. If you have plenty of space, you may want a countertop warmer. But, if you need that room to prepare food, you can use heated cabinets instead.
Of course, if you don’t have the space or budget, commercial microwaves are a great way to reheat food in a hurry.
2. Freezers and Refrigerators
Refrigerating systems are another important type of kitchen equipment for food truck businesses.
You’ll find that some food trucks utilize standing refrigerators or freezers, while others fit them under the counters. Which one you pick will depend on the size of your vehicle, the space needed for food prep, and city codes.
3. Food Preparation Surfaces and Equipment
The food you prepare will determine what equipment you need for prep work. However, the following items are usually essential.
- Pots, pans, bowls
- Cutting boards
- Mixing bowls
- Food processors, mixers, and blenders
- Knives
All these items need a place on shelves or in drawers, where they are accessible and secure during transportation.
4. Sinks
By law, food trucks may need washing stations. These are important for sanitizing dishes and pots, but they are quite bulky. So, don’t forget to include them in your layout.
In addition, you may need compartment, disposal, and handwashing sinks in your food truck kitchen.
5. Safety and Serving Equipment
Safety regulations vary from state to state, but these determine which food truck equipment you need to operate legally. However, sprinklers are almost always required since these will put out a fire. Moreover, codes will likely require you to use gloves and hairnets.
In addition, you’ll need items for serving customers, such as paper plates, utensils, and napkins.
Make Your Food Truck Business a Success!
After reading this post, you know about the best equipment for a food truck. So, don’t forget to bookmark this checklist so you can refer back to it when purchasing supplies!
Would you like more advice to help you start your food truck business? If so, browse more of our great business content!