The generator you chose for your food truck is crucial to your success. Why? An electrical source to power your food truck isn’t always readily available, meaning you need a reliable generator as a backup. The food truck industry is growing exponentially, gaining popularity at every turn, in urban as well as suburban locations. Obviously, this incredible boom in the industry means the need for durable, reliable food truck generators is growing just as quickly. If you are considering joining the booming food truck industry or want to insure your existing food truck business remains successful, Sizemore Ultimate Food Trucks offer these tips to help you choose the best generator for your food truck.
Fuel Considerations
When choosing a generator, you will have to decide between a single fuel model versus a dual fuel model. A duel fuel generator has one obvious advantage – if one fuel source runs out of fuel or fails, it is simple to switch to the other fuel source. A dual fuel generator gives you, as the food truck owner, the ability to choose fuel based on availability as well as circumstance. You can use gasoline when greater power output is needed or you can choose propane which requires no cool down for refilling. In addition, when choosing propane, you can more easily store additional fuel on your food truck.
Fuel Efficiency
For many food truck owners and operators, fuel efficiency is an important consideration. When choosing a generator, you will have to determine if a conventional generator or an invertor generator is right for your food truck. While both are effective, there are differences. A conventional generator may be the best option for a large truck where multiple appliances need power, but for a medium to small truck, an inverter generator may be the optimal choice for its power output and low noise. Another positive for Inverter generators is their ability to deliver clean stable power (ideal for sensitive electronics) and greater fuel efficiency.
Note: Some food truck owners find two less powerful inverters to be ideal, providing flexibility for power outlets, and the capability of linking one unit to the other for higher power output and outlet availability.
Safety Concerns
The generator you choose should have a minimum of three safety components – the spark arrestor, overload protection, and a low-oil shutdown sensor. The spark arrestor limits the number of sparks which escape the muffler. Overload protection keeps the engine from damage. The low-shut off does just that, turns the engine to off when oil levels are low. And as a matter of safety, always remember you cannot add gasoline when your generator is on; rather it must be shut off and cooled down before refueling with gasoline.
Solid Runtime
The greater the fuel efficiency of the generator, the longer the runtime. When choosing a generator, you will want a conventional generator with a high fuel capacity for longer runtime. On the other hand, if you don’t need the highest level of output, but prefer solid runtime and a quiet operation, you will want to select and inverter generator.
Generator Mobility
Given the nature of the food truck business, you want to select a generator which is easily portable. For the greatest mobility, you will want a generator with foldable (for storage) and comfortable (for portability) handles and never-flat tires.
Every Food Truck Needs a Generator
Whether ever the size of your food truck you will need a generator at least some of the time. Your truck’s engine cannot power all the appliances you need to operate, nor is electrical power always readily available. To get answers to all your food truck questions, call on the expert team at Sizemore Ultimate Food Trucks today.