10 Best Generators for Food Trucks in 2022

Do you have a large food truck with lots of appliances to run? The DuroMax XP12000E is everything you could have asked for and here’s why.

Want fuel-efficiency with propane or a power-packed performance with gasoline? Now choose fuel as per your day to day requirements as the DuroMax XP12000E is a dual fuel generator.

With gas, this bad boy generates a whopping 9500-watt of running power and 12,000-watts of starting power while with propane, it peaks at 11,400-watts.

And that’s ample power to run pretty much anything and everything in a food truck (from multiple ACs and freezers to fridges and fryers, there’s nothing it can’t handle).

Even when you run all those appliances, you get 4-5 hrs or more of runtime, depending on the fuel type and appliances connected so you do not have to run for constant refueling on a busy Sunday.

There’s also a low-fuel indicator telling you precisely when to refuel but in case that slips out of your mind, the generator safeguards itself by shutting down automatically. Even overloading won’t compromise the engine thanks to individual breakers and spark arresters.

Plus, it automatically lowers the power consumed based on the load, thus saving you hundreds of dollars on the electricity bill and also lowering noise (so you can stay focussed on what matters, the food).

Though the generator is heavy, the durable wheels and handles mean you can push the generator from one place to another (even on hard, rocky surfaces).

Turning on the generator is also easy peasy. You can either use the key-starter (which is as easy as starting a car) or the recoil option.

Lastly, there are multiple variants to choose from. You can either go for more power with a 15,000-watt variant or save a few bucks with the 10,000-watt variant.

Looking for something on the cheap? Well, what if you could get a portable yet powerful generator for your food truck at less than $500 (yes, you heard that right).

Even at this cheaper price, the WEN generator delivers solid power at 4,750-watts of surge power and 3,750-watts of running power making it ideal for food truck appliances like fridges and freezers.

Never used a generator before? With WEN everything is effortless, even starting the generator which is as easy as turning a switch on/off

Another thing we love about this generator is that it eliminates guesswork from maintenance. You will be informed of the maintenance schedule and oil changes on the digital display.

Even runtime is pretty good. With a 50% load, it can keep your appliances powered up for about 7-8hrs since it has a large 8.8-gallon tank.

And when oil starts running low, the generator shuts down on its own to ensure no damage comes to it or the appliances running on it. Further adding to safety is an automatic voltage regulator, spark arrestor, and overload protection.

Plus, you can take your food truck to any state in the US without worrying about fines and bans as the generator is CARB and EPA III certified.

It is a bit heavy as it weighs over 100lbs, but with wheels and portable handles, you can easily push it on and off the food truck to a suitable place.

What if your new generator looked like and was just as easy as carrying a suitcase? Yup, this generator by Jackery is one of the most compact, modern looking, and lightweight generator you will come across.

This baby weighs about 22lbs and comes with a large handlebar on top so you can easily move the generator as per your needs without any help.

But you don’t always have to move it to a wall outlet to power it up. The battery can be solar charged and the solar panels are all provided with the purchase so you can eliminate 100% of your carbon footprint without paying a dime more.

What if the battery runs out at night or you forgot the panels elsewhere? You can even charge it using a car as it has an 80-watt car input.

Charging can take between 7-14hrs based on the power source, thankfully, though, it doesn’t need charging every 4-5hrs as it runs a good 15-16hrs on a full charge.

1000-watt means it isn’t a powerhouse like the above-mentioned generators but it has got ample juice and 3 power outlets to run a blender, ice shaver, electric grill, etc.

Oh, and it even charges your smartphone and laptop within a couple of hours. In fact, it is one of the very few generators to feature USB-C ports, 1 USB  5V, 2.4A port, and a QuickCharge 3.0 port.

Keeping you informed about the remaining battery life and input, output readings, etc. is the clear and large LCD screen (so you know exactly when it needs a charge).

On the side of the generator, there’s also a bright LED light that can be used in case of an emergency.

Weighing around 40lbs and in a design similar to the Jackery, this Hona Generator is another very portable option for small to medium food trucks.

But what stands out about this is the ultra-quiet operation as it generates sound between 48 to 57 dBA which is way lesser than that of a normal conversation (it is so quiet, you’ll forget it is even there).

And if you do forget, the generator is self-sufficient as it automatically shuts down once the fuel is less.

But not before it uses most of the fuel in the carburetor thanks to the Fuel Off position that reduces maintenance work as there’s little stale fuel to worry about.

Furthermore, making the usage worry-free are the Electronic Circuit Breaker and a USDA-qualified spark arrestor/muffler thus leaving your surroundings and appliances in safe hands.

The 1600W running and 2000W surge power are good for most food truck appliances but when a power boost is needed, you can team it up with another EU2200i and get up to 4400-watts of power.

It has been constructed with commercial-grade material and thus lasts for years while the additional ventilation means the generator takes lesser time to cool down compared to others.

Run-tie, however, isn’t the generator’s strong suit. On a full tank, it will give you anywhere between 3-8hrs depending on the load so make sure you have additional gas in-hand.

With an all-black and grey design that resembles a CPU, this generator adds a touch of modernity to your food truck in terms of both design and features.

Hate that most battery generators take almost 10+ hrs to charge? What if I told you this generator can go from 0% to 80% in just 1 hr, thus giving you an additional 2-3 or more of runtime?

Even charging to 100% is lightning fast and takes just 1.6 hrs (that’s lesser than your MacBook). So how does it manage this?

Well, these generators are equipped with ECOFLOW’s patented technology X-Stream that increases charging speed by 10 times using a standard AC Cable.

And if you wanted to go eco-friendly with solar panels, even then you get an excellent charging time of just 4hrs whereas, charging it via your car can take 10-12hrs.

Plus, it is compatible with a variety of solar chargers so you aren’t reliant on one brand in case of a malfunction adding to the convenience while saving you some money.

It can power up to 13 devices at once with the 6 AC outlets that can deliver 3300-watts of surge power and 1800W of running power.  Even with all that power, it consumes a mere 20W and automatically turns off after 12hrs.

These devices can range from Fridge, Lights, Fry Pan, Blender, and Coffee Machine to even your Nintendo Switch (for when you need self-rejuvenate).

Apart from that, there are also 2 normal+2 fast-charge ports for your smartphones, tablets, POS, etc. all of which can be crucial for smooth online deliveries and payments.

Information regarding battery life charge/discharge rate, temperature, power readings is all provided is the large and clear LCD screen.

It is also equipped with overload protection and temperature protector. That means if the temperature goes higher than 45°C  or lower than -20°C, the generator turns off automatically.

Lastly, it weighs around 31lbs and is as compact as your desktop CPU. Plus, with handles on either side, you can either lift it alone or even call for a helping hand if needed.

Champion manufactures some of the most powerful generators and this is another example of it.

With 4000W of starting power and 3500W running power, there’s plenty in the bank to support all your essentials.

But if not, you can further amp it up to 5600W or more by running it in parallel with 2 other generators, making it a very versatile and powerful unit.

And you don’t even have to be around the generator to start it. With the remote control, you can start the generator from as far as 80-feet. But if needed, there’s also the touch button and recoil option.

Cold Technology ensures that the remote and button work just as efficiently, even in extreme winters.

Runtime is decent as it gives about 7-8 hrs at 50% load with its 2.9-gallon tank. More importantly, it is energy efficient. Switch to economy mode and the generator will regulate the power needed based on the load.

It is CARB Compliant and there are also dual USB adaptors for easy charging of mobile and other small devices.

Foldable handles make movement and storage easier. And lastly, ensuring the generator does not malfunction in case of low fuel is the special sensor that turns it off.

Want something as powerful as the DuroMax XP12000E without having to pay $2000+? The Pulsar G65BN is just what you are looking for.

The 6500W model costs around $700 and you also have variants of 10,000W and 12,000W. And even then the generator can cost you just a tad above $1000.

You can further save on the cost by choosing a Gasoline model or go for a more versatile generator with a Dual Fuel engine (with Pulsar, there’s something for everyone).

Versatility aside, what we loved about this generator is its long run-time which is even more than some of the top picks. At 50% load, it can power up all appliances for about 8+ thanks to its powerful 4-stroke engine.

The digital display gives details regarding frequencies, hours, and voltage. It also has a fuel indicator and when it runs low, it will turn off by itself.

Of course, you miss out on fancy frills like USB ports, etc. but nonetheless, for the cost, it is a steal especially since it has both 120V and 240V outputs (something cheaper generators don’t).

Next up is Westinghouse WGen3600. Not the fanciest of generators, but if you need a backup generator for a large food truck or are just starting out, this fits the bill.

It is the most-pocket friendly generator on the list and yet delivers about 3600 Running Watts and 4650 Peak Watts (costs less than $400).

It is CARB and EPA compliant and thus is safe for use in all US states. And further adding to your and the generator’s safety is the automatic low fuel turn-off feature that tells you when refueling is needed.

Another reason it punches well above its weight is its fuel efficiency. With a 212cc 4-stroke OHV engine and 4-Gallon Fuel Tank, it gives great fuel efficiency (runs for almost 10hrs on 50% load).

On the downside, the generator is heavy but thankfully, noise levels are tolerable when compared to similar generators.

Furthermore, the recoil start isn’t everyone’s cup of tea as it can be time-consuming and needs effort.  Plus, there are no 240V ports or USB ports which limits its functionality to few appliances and devices.

Last on the list of the best generators for food trucks is the All Power America APGG10000C. In comparison to other generators on the list, there isn't much different about it offers.

One reason to go for this generator would be its low cost. It delivers up to 12,000W of surge power at less than $1000.

And then, it is also fuel-efficient since it is equipped with a 15 HP 420cc OHV engine and a 9-gallon fuel tank (gives 8-9hrs of runtime on 50% load).

But that’s pretty much it. The biggest drawback is durability. Users have complained of the generator failing within the first year. Plus it takes hours to cool down as well.

Even though there are wheels and a foldable handlebar, moving it around takes some effort as it weighs 231lbs and is bigger (you’d definitely need a hand with this).

And when you do get it up and running, 76 dB of noise can be irritating and hampers the tranquility you need when cooking delicate ingredients.