Equipping a food truck is like playing a tough game of Tetris.
Most food trucks have certain pieces of equipment in common: a griddle or grill, range, fryer, worktop or undercounter refrigerator, and a three-compartment sink. Once these large pieces are in place, the operator typically has only a few feet of counter space for food prep. 
Which appliances are the best fit for that space? That depends on your menu, but they’ve got to be versatile, durable, compact and affordable. Equipping and operating a food truck almost always costs more than you expect. However, it’s not a good idea to cut corners by purchasing low-quality kitchen equipment. Pieces designed for home use can’t stand up to the demands of a busy food truck — but Hamilton Beach Commercial foodservice equipment can. Here’s what we recommend.
Essential Food Truck Specialty Equipment
Commercial Rice Cooker/Warmer
Hamilton Beach Commercial rice cookers do so much more than cook rice. They also make perfect macaroni & cheese, oatmeal, porridge, grits, quinoa and other grains, freeing up a burner. Our rice cookers automatically shift to the keep-warm setting after cooking, maintaining food quality and safety over an extended serving time.
Food truck operators prefer the smaller-sized rice cookers: the 40-cup/ 9 L 37540 Series and the 60-cup 37560R Series, which has a heated lid for even cooking. Both models have a nonstick inner pot, simplifying cleanup at the end of the day.
Who needs it? Food truck operators serving Asian dishes, comfort/Southern food, breakfast, or grain bowls.
Bar Blender
Lots of power in a small package: That’s what food truck operators need in a commercial blender. The 908® Bar Blender and the Rio® fit the bill.
The 908® Bar Blender, a kitchen essential for more than 50 years, features a 44-ounce/1.3 L capacity. With nearly 2 inches of head space and a tight lid seal, the 908 smoothly blends a full jar of ingredients without spilling. Another favorite of food-truck operators is the Rio® Drink Blender, a workhorse that delivers 1.6 Hp of blending power. Wave~Action® design produces an ultra-smooth blend — no chunks of ice!
While both models may be labeled “bar blenders,” they’re incredibly versatile. Blend smoothies, milkshakes, sauces and soups.
Who needs it? Food truck operators who serve frozen drinks, milkshakes, horchata or smoothies, which all can be high-profit additions to the menu. A blender is also essential for any concept that serves housemade dressings, pesto, coulis, or other sauces.
Vacuum Sealer
Every food truck operator knows that demand is difficult to predict, especially when working events. Pre-portioning and vacuum-sealing food make it easy to accommodate large crowds on busy days and save unused servings after slow shifts.
Adding a commercial vacuum sealer to your equipment lineup (whether in the truck or at a commissary kitchen) also can simplify sanitation. Rather than transporting messy bins of marinating chicken, for instance, a cook can season and seal individual breasts.
The PrimaVac™254 In-Chamber Vacuum Sealer is preferred by food truck operators for its compact size: approximately 13 by 18 inches (33.7 by 45.6 centimeters). Custom programming can handle any type of food, with a soft air function to protect delicate ingredients.
Who needs it? Food truck operators who need to control costs by precise portioning, especially those serving expensive items like steak, crab and seafood.
Coffee Urn
Coffee is an easy, profitable addition to almost any food truck menu. All you need is a reliable, high-quality commercial coffee urn. The 40-cup 45040R (aluminum) and HCU040S (stainless steel) are good choices when space is limited. For higher-volume serving, upgrade to a 60-cup, 75-cup or 100-cup urn. All models feature rapid cup-a-minute brewing and locking lids that slow spillage if the urn is accidentally knocked over.
Who needs it? Food truck operators serving breakfast, desserts, pretzels, waffles, sandwiches… anything that goes well with coffee.
Dishers
When the line of waiting customers is 12 deep and orders are flying, the last thing you want to deal with is a disher that has slipped into the pan. Hamilton Beach Commercial 80-series dishers feature a Pan Rest™ feature with notches to prevent slippage. They’re NSF-certified and color-coded by size for easy identification. Nine sizes are available for perfect portions, every time.
Who needs it? Food truck operators who want to control portion sizes for sandwich fillings, sides, grains, salad ingredients, etc.
