When setting up a food truck business, there are so many things that you, as a business owner, will need to consider. From writing a business plan and naming your food truck to choosing the cuisine you’ll serve and planning out your menu items — the list is seemingly endless. Writing a food truck equipment list is another task to tackle.
Just as when setting up a commercial kitchen, you need to source the right supplies to make sure you have everything you need, from countertop fryers to broilers and floor mats.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of the essential food truck supplies you’ll need for your food truck. From kitchen equipment to janitorial gear and cleaning products, here is a comprehensive food truck equipment list.
The specific pieces of equipment you’ll need in your food truck will, of course, depend on the particular type of food you want to produce and serve to your customers.
You'll need a fryer if you’re planning to serve fried food such as french fries. You’ll need a blender or a juicer if you’re serving smoothies. You’ll need a sandwich press if you’re planning on serving toasted paninis or other deli food. You may even need a propane tank if you intend on cooking up some delicious BBQ classics like short ribs or crispy chicken. All this equipment takes up extra space.
Some food truck operators find it too difficult to prepare everything from the truck itself — they’re very small, after all. So, if you think you’ll need more cooking equipment than you’ll have space for onboard, you might prefer to hire a commercial kitchen space for food prep. That way, you can simply finish cooking and serve from the food truck kitchen.
Of course, if you opt for a separate food prep area, you should make sure you have the right refrigeration equipment to keep your food at a healthy temperature. You may also need steamers and other specialized restaurant equipment to keep certain dishes hot. Even if your food is precooked, you’ll likely need prep tables for last-minute alterations and sanitizer to keep everything clean.
Since space is at a premium on a food truck, it’s crucial to write your food truck equipment list before making any purchases. This could save you money. By getting organized and preparing before you buy, you’ll make sure you aren’t purchasing any kitchen gear or equipment you won’t be able to use.
If you’ve already bought the truck itself, take careful measurements and create a rough floor plan so you can see how much space you’re likely to have. You can then look at the measurements of each piece of equipment and plan out the area before you buy anything.
Once you’ve taken accurate measurements of your food truck’s interior, you’ll be ready to start writing and purchasing everything on your food truck equipment list.
Whatever type of food you’re serving, your food truck needs to have food preparation equipment. Start by ensuring you have a food preparation surface with a flat top. Choosing a stainless steel worktable is a good idea because it will be easy to clean.
Other food prep essentials include:
Cutting boards
Knives
Pots and pans
Spatulas or turners
A food processor (depending on what you’re serving)
Cooking equipment
Once your food prep is done, you’ll be moving on to the actual process of cooking. The cooking equipment you’ll need depends on what you’re making, but you’re highly likely to need items such as:
A gas range (and gas)
An oven
A charbroiler
A deep fryer
A griddle
A toaster
A hot plate
A pizza oven
A thermometer (especially if you’re serving meat, as you can ensure it’s cooked through)
If you need cooked food to stay warm until service, a countertop food warmer is an easy way to keep food at a safe temperature. A kettle or large thermos can also keep liquids warm.
When sourcing equipment, go through a trusted third-party vendor or directly through a large supplier. Do your due diligence before you commit to a purchase. Food truck equipment can easily run into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and an unscrupulous vendor can leave you with a nonfunctional kitchen.
Proper maintenance is equally important. Wiping down your surfaces and cooking equipment on a regular basis is important not just from a hygienic standpoint, but also from a longevity one. Proactively fixing and scheduling regular check-ups can help prevent costly breakdowns.
While writing your food truck equipment list, make sure you factor in space to store ingredients and all your equipment.
As a minimum, you’ll need a fridge and a freezer. An undercounter refrigerator is an excellent way to save on floor space, but these can be small. If you need to store lots of fresh foods (especially meat and fish), a larger fridge may be more practical. Other storage items include:
Food trays
High-quality holding equipment
Liners
In addition to food storage, you’ll need to have cabinet space available to store your equipment while your truck is moving. Providing a dedicated place for every piece of equipment is essential for safety while in motion — it will prevent things from flying around inside while you drive.
In addition to preparing and cooking food, you’ll need to serve it to customers. Foodservice equipment may include items such as:
Packaging to serve the food in (i.e., disposable plates and cutlery)
Condiment dispensers
Napkins or paper towels
Salt and pepper shakers
Plastic cups
Squeeze bottles
Take-out containers
Menu boards (so your customers know what to ask for)
Additionally, you’ll need to set up a point-of-sale system so you can accept payments. A good option is to use a self-service kiosk. Customers can use a touchscreen tablet to place and pay for their orders quickly and easily. KioskBuddy, for example, integrates with your Square POS to enable self-ordering as well as contactless and card payments.
Using a self-service kiosk means you and your onboard staff can focus on producing and serving delicious food without getting tied down by taking orders and payments. They’re also small and convenient, so they don’t take up too much space onboard the truck. It’s a win-win.
When compiling a food truck equipment list, it’s easy to forget essential items related to health and hygiene. However, to ensure you’re adhering to food safety regulations, you need to have all the necessary health and safety equipment.
You should check the specific regulations in your area to compile your own equipment list — but here are a few things you’re sure to need.
A three-compartment sink is the most useful for washing, rinsing, and drying your cooking equipment. Sponges and dish detergent are also essentials. You’ll want a separate hand-washing station so employees or your onboard cooks can wash their hands frequently.
Other health and hygiene items you may need are:
Disposable gloves
A fire safety kit
Trash cans and a recycling system
A first aid kit
A clean worktop
If you have a deep fryer on board, remember to set up a fry dump station to safely dispose of your used oil.
The best way to ensure you have everything you need on your food truck is to plan it out thoroughly. Think about the food you’re serving and the type of business you want to run, then decide what equipment you need and make your personalized list.
A food truck can serve all kinds of foods — from tacos to burgers, salads to soups — so planning your menu is a great place to start. Once you know what you’re going to serve, you can write a thorough food truck equipment list and fill your food truck with everything you need to get your business off the ground.
While writing your own equipment list, don’t forget to include a method of placing orders and accepting payments. A simple solution is to turn your tablet into an easy-to-use self-service kiosk. KioskBuddy is quick and straightforward to set up, so you’ll be processing orders and taking payments in no time.
Sign up for KioskBuddy today, and enjoy a 30-day free trial!