Best Generators for Food Truck | 6 Powerful Units Reviewed

Having a food truck is a great way of taking your food products on the road wherever you go.

You can prepare, cook and serve food in a quick, easy and portable way. Running a food truck can also take up a lot of electrical power, as you will need some form of electricity to keep your mini kitchen running. 

For those times when you need access to electricity, you will need a generator. In this sense, you will need a generator that can withstand all of your cooking necessities, whilst also being portable enough to take on the road with you. 

One of the main attractions of having a food truck is that you can serve food anywhere. That means that there may not necessarily be an outlet or means of connecting your truck to gain power and electricity.

If this is the case, then you will not be able to power your food truck’s refrigerator, stove, microwave, coffee machine, air conditioner or any other appliances. 

Having a generator for your food truck is therefore, in most cases, an absolute necessity. However, with the limited space inside your truck, you will need a great, powerful generator that is small and portable enough to be moved around.

Most food trucks need a generator from around 4000-7000 watts depending on the number of appliances and wattage used. These generators will need long lasting power to help food trucks run all day efficiently, and be compact enough to be packed away at the end of the day.

To help you run your business smoothly, we have compiled a list of the best generators for food trucks. This way you can power all of your appliances with ease, and you can get back to focusing on your successful food truck business.

In a Hurry?

We know that running a food business can keep you super busy, and you do not have time to search the internet for the best generators for food trucks.

There is no need to waste time looking, we have done it for you. The best generator for a food truck is the Honda  EM5000SXK3 5000 watt generator. For a brand and a generator you can trust, go with Honda.

The Honda EM5000SXK3 Generator is a powerful generator that can power up to 5000 watts for your food truck. It is highly lightweight and easily portable for taking on those long days serving your customers on the road.

You can connect a variety of appliances, with a reliable power source that you can trust. Our favorite thing about this generator other than its powerful capacity is how quietly it operates. With the lowest noise levels, this generator is no louder than two people having a conversation. 

It is also highly fuel efficient, and one of the most popular generator models for using in your truck business!

OUR TOP PICK

Honda 663640 EM5000SX 120V/240V 5000-Watt 389cc...

For a powerful generator that has low noise levels, efficient fuel consumption and is easily portable, try the Honda EM5000SXK3.

The EM5000SMK3 is one of Honda’s popular generator models, and has the capacity to power a variety of appliances making it the perfect addition to your food truck. For a reliable power source, you can trust in Honda’s products.

What is great about this generator is that it has ultra quiet technology, operating at a noise level which is quieter than a normal conversation. This makes it the perfect companion for your food truck without scaring off any potential customers. 

You can also pair two of these generators together to give you some extra power or long lasting use.

With the Eco-throttle system, this generator is highly fuel efficient, and can even run for 11.2 hours on 50% power, depending on your power consumption. Full power will give you at least 8 hours of operation.

The technology included in these generators produces a reliable power supply with stable, clean power in a smaller, portable package. With this 5000 watt generator, you can power countless devices and appliances at once. 

The intelligent automatic voltage regulation keeps this generator stable and consistent during operation, which is perfect for your business.

Pros

  • Can power up to 5000 watts
  • 120 Volts
  • A trusted brand
  • Quiet operation
  • Can last 11 hours
  • Portable
  • Fuel efficient
  • Electric generator

Cons

  • More expensive than other generators

EDITORS CHOICE

Westinghouse Outdoor Power Equipment 4500 Peak...

If you are looking for a lot of power, whilst staying fuel efficient and eco-friendly, then try the Westinghouse iGen Generator.

This gas powered generator can power 4500 watts without creating more noise levels. 

The Westinghouse iGen Super Quiet Generator can power much more of your food truck appliances at once. 

With a useful data center, you can keep track of its fuel level, remaining run time, voltage output and hours. This powerful generator is highly fuel efficient, extremely quiet and can run for up to 18 hours on a 3.4 gallon gas tank. 

The Westinghouse iGen Generator even features its own economy mode for optimal levels of fuel efficiency. This generator is still surprisingly portable and safety tested for your peace of mind on the road.

With a multitude of outlets, you can trust that all of your appliances can connect to this generator. What is even better about this generator is that it has its own economy mode for your convenience.  

Pros

  • Can run for up to 18 hours
  • Ultra powerful
  • Quiet operation
  • Fuel efficient
  • Features economy mode
  • Variety of outlets
  • Can run 4500 watts
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Built in carrying handles

Cons

  • Not durably made- materials not built to last

BEST VALUE

Champion Power Equipment 100165 9375/7500-Watt...

If you are looking for the perfect dual fuel generator with ultimate power, then we have the one for you.

The Champion Dual Fuel portable generator can power 7500 watts and is incredibly lightweight for your food truck. 

This generator can run off propane or gas as fuel and has a fuel tank capacity of 6 gallons of oil.  With 120 V outlets, you can connect multiple household appliances for your convenience. 

This generator has its own sensors that will monitor the fuel usage and automatically shut off if low on oil. This generator can be used for up to 14 hours on 25% load, and has a reduced noise level of 59 dBa.

With a built in VoltGuard, this generator will protect your appliances against surge and overloads to keep your food truck equipment safe. 

Pros

  • Can power 7500 watts
  • Powerful
  • Portable
  • Has wheels
  • Can run on propane or gas
  • Low oil shut off sensor
  • 120 V/240 V outlets
  • Easily monitors run time and power usage
  • Can be used for up to 14 hours

Cons

  • Louder than competitors
  • Heavy

RUNNER UP

WEN GN400i RV-Ready 4000-Watt Open Frame Inverter...

If you are looking for the perfect inverter generator to power your food truck business, then this product seals the deal.

This generator from WEN can power up to 4000 watts to keep your appliances up and running, and you can keep serving!

You can even connect extra generators to this one, to get increased wattage output whenever you need it. With 2 120V outlets and USB connectivity, you can connect a multitude of appliances to this generator. 

The inverter generator provides clean energy, quiet operation and an ultra lightweight design that will fit right into your food truck, as this generator takes up minimal space in your vehicle. 

With this generator, you get an eco-feature that automatically allows the motor to adjust its own fuel consumption. This in turn saves you some cash as it prevents any unnecessary gas use. 

What is even better about this generator is that it is free of voltage spikes, surges and drops, so that you can rest easy, knowing that your appliances are safe. 

Pros

  • 4000 Wattage
  • 1.85 gallon fuel tank
  • Eco-features adjust fuel consumption
  • 2 120V outlets and USB outlets
  • Quiet operation
  • Clean energy
  • Can link 2 generators
  • Portable and compact

Cons

  • Only get 7 hours of power on 50% wattage
  • Heavy 

RUNNER UP

If you need a heavy duty, powerful generator for your food truck, then the Craftsman 5750 portable generator is for you.

This generator can power 5750 watts and 7200 starting watts to power every appliance you would need for your food truck.

The CO detection technology can instantly shut off the system when harmful levels of CO are detected.

With a multi-featured control panel and 4 120V household outlets, you can power your appliances such as refrigerator and cookers.

This generator has a large 8.5 gallon fuel tank which provides up to 12 hours of run time on 50% running capacity. 

This generator has a useful fold out handle to help you carry it in and out of your food truck for easy operation.

Pros

  • CO detection
  • Can run 5750 running watts and 7200 starting watts
  • 8.5 gallon fuel tank
  • Up to 12 hours of run time
  • Multi-featured control panel
  • Portable, fold out handle included

Cons

  • Not great fuel efficiency
  • Heavy

RUNNER UP

DuroMax XP4400EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator-4400...

For a useful and powerful generator for your food truck, try the DuroMax XP4400EH. This generator has dual fuel technology, with an impressive and capable engine to help power your food truck appliances. 

The DuroMax XP4400EH generator will automatically shut off if it senses low oil. In addition, this generator minimizes any noise output for your convenience. 

This generator features dual fuel technology that can run on propane or gasoline for your freedom and choice. With 4400 watts of power, this generator will do the job! 

With 10 hours of run time at 50%, and a completely portable design, you can use this generator whenever you are on the road. 

Pros

  • Dual Fuel technology
  • Comes with 2 120 V outlets
  • Comes with 1 120/240 V twist lock
  • Longer power
  • More powerful 212 cc engine
  • All metal construction
  • 4400 watts of power
  • Portable
  • 10 hrs of run time

Cons

  • Can smell when operating
  • Not long lasting product

Best Generators for Food Trucks Buying Guide

How to Find the Best Generator for Your Food Truck

You may find that looking for a generator for your food truck is a trying task. You will need one that is powerful and long lasting enough to cover your electricity all day while serving up some delicious food. 

However, the nature of the food truck is that it is portable and able to go anywhere for your customer’s convenience. These are qualities that must be prevalent in your generator too. 

You will need it to be powerful, yet portable and not too large that it takes up lots of space, when your food truck is already cramped enough. You will need to gauge where you can keep your generator for storage, and where it can be placed for use in the day. 

Weight

Similarly, you should consider how heavy the generator will be, especially if you work on your truck by yourself, or have no help to carry it in and out of the truck.

Wattage

You will also need to consider how much power you will need to run your food truck business.

You will have to measure your desired wattage, from all of your electrical appliances that you use to serve food and beverages. Once you have measured the wattage, you must combine this number to find your overall power requirements. 

You should also try to get a generator that can withstand a little more than your total wattage measurements so that you know that it will not overheat or fuse out.

It is also important to remember that the closer your power draw is to the maximum outage of the generator, the more fuel you will use. 

Fuel

Most modern generators will run on either propane or gasoline, so you should think about which type of fuel you would prefer your generator to use.

Gasoline produces a greater wattage and is much easier to refuel should you run out.

On the other hand, it  can be more expensive, and propene can be easily stored in your truck. 

Noise Level

One of the disadvantages of using a generator is that it produces a lot of noise when in use.

You may benefit from purchasing a generator for your truck that does not have excessive noise levels as it may ward off or irritate potential customers.

Runtime

When purchasing a generator for your food truck, you should consider its runtime.

A generator that can run for long periods of time without running out of fuel will be highly beneficial for those busy and long days serving food to your customers. 

Conventional or Inverter Generator

You can use either an inverter or a conventional generator for powering your food truck, however it will depend on what you need it for.

If you would prefer a powerful generator that will run many appliances at once with ease, then pick a big conventional generator. 

On the other hand, if you would prefer a smaller unit with less operational noise, then an inverter generator may be best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do food trucks need generators?

Having a generator for your food truck as they provide the necessary power and electricity to run all of your cooking appliances that will help you serve your food.

As food trucks are highly portable and do not always serve their customers in the same spot, there is not always electrical power or outlets to help you run your cooking equipment. 

Without a source of electricity, you will be unable to power your refrigerator, oven, air conditioner, coffee machine and many other appliances.

Therefore to run a successful food truck operation, you will benefit from a generator. 

What size generator do I need for my food truck?

The size generator you will need for your food truck will depend heavily on the amount of wattage you are using.

You will need to gauge how much electric power you will need to run your food truck, and purchase a generator accordingly.

That being said, most food trucks run between 4000-7000 watt generators to power all of their electric appliances and serve food daily.