Whether you are looking to upgrade your current food truck or are just starting out in the food truck business, there are a number of things that can have an impact on your success. One of these things is the type of generator that you choose. In this article, we will look at some of the things you may need to consider and why generator hire is a good way to go.
Types of Food Truck Generators
There are three different types of generators for food trucks: inverter generators, portable generators, and built-in generators.
Inverter generator – this uses an alternator to invert electricity and power to appliances. These are light, quiet and convenient generators so a good choice for food trucks. The power they generate is cleaner and more sustainable.. They are also more expensive and, in the long run, produce less power.
Portable generator – these normally run on gas and have an onboard alternator that generates power. This is one of the more traditional ways to generate power and this is done at a cheaper cost, making it very cost effective. They are, however, louder and heavier than other types of generator.
Built-in generator – this type of generator is normally included in the design of a food truck. It works best in larger trucks and fits the generator compartment. It’s convenient and offers the most power but is not an ideal choice for those food trucks with limited space.
Which is the best choice?
The best choice of generator for any food truck is dependent on what it sells and also the preferences of the food truck owner. Needs can vary from one food truck to another and there is no single generator that is the right choice for each scenario. There are factor that are worth considering and these include:
- Cost: You will need to think about your budget. If you can’t afford to purchase the best generator for your food truck then it can be worth thinking about hiring instead.
- Power: How much power do you need? To find the minimum amount of power you need, you should calculate the total wattage of any appliances and electronics you have in your truck. If an appliance doesn’t have a wattage requirement listed, you should calculate this by multiplying the number of volts by the number of amps.
- Run time: How long do you need to run the generator each day?
- Fuel capacity: Depending on the design of your food truck your fuel requirements may vary.
- Noise: Noise levels vary from one generator to another so consider how important this is to you. Are there any regulations on noise that may impact on your generator choice?
- Size – The size and layout of your food truck will have an impact on your decision.
- Exhaust – proper exhaust is required against any exhaust your chosen generator may give off. This is important for the health of your customers and you.
Food truck generators are reliable but for added peace of mind, hiring rather than purchasing outright, can be a very good choice. If anything goes wrong with your hired generator, if you have hired it from a reputable company, they will be able to assist you in sorting out a replacement. This will ensure that there is minimum disruption to your business. If you are uncertain which type of generator is the best option for your food truck, then a reputable generator hire company will be able to help you.
