The Complete List of Food Truck Supplies and Equipment

Rachel Perkins — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 06:00:00 +0000

The startup costs for a food truck may seem intimidating. However, if you create a practical budget and business plan, a food truck can be very profitable.

When creating a budget, you’ll have to consider all the business needs of your food truck. If you’re new to the game, you might not know where to begin.

We’ve got you covered! Below is a comprehensive list of food truck supplies to get you started!

Supplies for Food Prep

Most food truck owners will prep in a commercial kitchen, but chances are you’ll still need a fully-stocked prep station. Some of this equipment is stuff you might already be familiar with from your own kitchen, while other items are more complex.

No matter what you’re serving, you’ll need basic cookware to help you prep in your truck. This includes things such as pots, fry pans, food processors, cutting boards, knives, and other cooking instruments. Your collection of cookware should also include thermometers to ensure all the food you’re preparing is safe and up-to-code.

Selecting the right workstation is also important. Depending on how much space you have, you may have to choose between a full prep counter and stainless steel prep tables.

Cooking Supplies

Many food trucks serve hot foods and require larger pieces of kitchen equipment that will be mounted inside your truck. A grill is perfect for just about any truck selling hot foods. A range is great for anything that needs to be boiled or sautéed.

A fryer is necessary for selling products like fries or onion rings. Charbroilers deliver a grilled flavor to meats but are perfect for veggies as well.

You may choose to install all or just a few of these pieces of cooking equipment depending on the size of your truck and the types of food you plan to serve.

Supplies for Holding Food

If your products require a lot of prep before assembly and selling, you’ll want to have ways to keep them fresh and safe to eat. This is a necessity whether you’re selling hot or cold products.

Refrigerators and freezers are essential for practically every food truck. Many people opt for under-the-counter fridge units to save space. Most of these types of units double as countertop space as well.

Which warming units you choose for your truck will depend on your product. Some people will find that countertop warmers suit their needs, while others will have better luck with heated proofing cabinets that have shelving inside. Other options include soup kettles, food heat lamps, and display warmers.

Additional Food Truck Features

While your customer’s focus will be on your food, as the owner, you need to focus on more than just the product you serve. When designing your food truck supplies list, you’ll have to consider safety and sanitation as well.

Sinks

Washing hands to prevent cross-contamination is a must for all food-centered businesses. You’re required to have a hand-washing sink in your food truck by the health department.

Safety Features

Every food truck owner has to undergo an inspection before they can get a license or permit. You’ll need a functioning exhaust hood and fire suppression system to pass.

Service Window

A service window provides the easiest way to interact with your customers. Make sure to consider its size, as it could affect your available prep space. Furthermore, you should decide whether you’d like to invest in a concession door to cover your windows during bad weather or when you’re not operating.

Taking It to the Streets

A food truck is perfect for people who want to run their own business and prefer a unique work environment. This list of food truck supplies will help novices get their food truck business up off the ground!

Want more food truck advice? Check out more blog posts here!

Thinking about starting a food truck? Request a free custom quote and one of our food truck specialists will help you design the truck of your dreams.

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The post The Complete List of Food Truck Supplies and Equipment appeared first on Custom Concessions.

Food Truck Appliances 101: A Handy Checklist

Rachel Perkins — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 06:00:00 +0000

There are tons of food truck appliances out there to choose from. Wondering which ones you’ll need? Not to worry! In this guide, we’ll go over how to kit out your truck for your new business.

Food Truck Appliances

Consider a range if you will need to boil, simmer, sauté, or pan-fry any food. A charbroiler is a handy appliance if you want to get those gorgeous grill marks on your protein and vegetables.

Some people buy a microwave so they can warm up side dishes fast or steam vegetables. Only get a griddle if you’re cooking burgers, eggs, or vegetables.

If you are going to sell sandwiches, consider buying a toaster. You can get the perfect texture on your bagels, bread, or English muffins.

One of the most popular items is a fryer. This is an essential appliance. You can cook items like onion rings, chicken tenders, and french fries to start, and then branch out and try more adventurous fried options as you get used to using it.

For any fryers, grills, and commercial ovens, you’ll need ventilation, like an exhaust hood with a fan. These get vented to the outdoors so you and your employees aren’t breathing in fumes. You’ll also want a sprinkler system for your stovetops in case of fire.

Warming Equipment

If you want to keep your menu items warm for your customers, invest in holding equipment like a holding cabinet or countertop warmer. Holding cabinets will keep your food at a safe temperature, while countertop warmers are good for items like vegetables, pasta, or casseroles.

You could also look into getting a fry dump station. This will keep your fries warm after they’ve finished cooking in your fryer.

What About Food Prep Tools?

When setting up your food truck, you’ll need areas for storing and prep work. You won’t have a ton of space, so you’ll need to get creative. Think about what kind of food you will prepare.

You may need a separate area for preparing bulk food like pasta or soups. If you’re making individual portions, like fried food baskets, pizza or sandwiches, you’ll need more space.

Consider getting a stainless steel work table. You’ll use this a lot for when you’re prepping food.

Pick up cutting boards and knives. Don’t forget to get a food processor, thermometer, and a french fry cutter.

Refrigeration Equipment

You’ll most likely need have a fridge, and depending on what you plan to serve, you might also want a freezer or a drink cooler. These types of large appliances will be bolted in place to keep you and your employees safe.

Another good option is an under-counter refrigerator. These serve a dual purpose as food storage and another work surface.

If you sell a lot of salads or sandwiches, consider getting a prep table refrigerator. This way, you’ll have individual compartments dedicated to all the toppings, sauces, and condiments you need.

Contact Us Today

We hope you found this guide on appliances helpful. Consider what you will be cooking and selling at your truck—this will help you pick out what food truck appliances you’ll need. And don’t forget to install and understand some of the safety equipment you’ll need for your truck.