Generator for Food Truck

W hen you’re using a food truck, therefore running a food-related business, it is important for you to have your own source of power. While some locations might provide you with it – fairs or carnivals – some will not. So, investing in a generator will not only allow you to function independently, but it will be a life-saver, as well, when the next power cut strikes. However, you might wonder which is best for your business, as several appliances will require enough power to work. Therefore, to help you decide, we offer you our best recommendations.

Top 6 Generators for Food Truck Comparison

Photo	Product Name	Fuel Tank Capacity	Power	Running Time	Engine Type	Highlight	Warranty	Price
Best Overall	1. DuroMax XP12000EH	8.3 gallons	11.400W 12.000W	7.2 hours 8.83 hours	18HP, 457cc OHV	MX2 Switch	3 years	Check Price
Our Choice	2. Rainier R12000DF	6.6 gallons	10.800W 12.000W	11 hours 1 7 hours	457cc OHV 4-stroke engine	Overload Protection Alarm	1 year	Check Price
	3. Pulsar PG12000B	8 gallons	10.800W 12.000W	10-11 hours 12 hours	57cc, Single Cylinder, 4-Stroke, OHV	Automatic Low Oil Shutdown	2 years
	4. Westinghouse WGen7500DF	6.6 gallons	8550W 9500W	11 hours 11 hours	420cc OHV 4-stroke	Automatic Low Oil Shutdown	3 years	Check Price
	5. All Power America APGG10000GL	8 gallons	8500W 10.000W	11 hours	15 HP, 420cc 4-stroke OHV	Voltmeter	1 year	Check Price
	6. Champion Power Equipment 100165	6.1 gallons	8400W 9375W	5.5 hours 8 hours	439cc OVH 4-stroke	IntelliGauge VoltGuard	3 years	Check Price

1. DuroMax XP12000EH

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It offers versatility and power, allowing you to connect several equipment pieces at the same time, which will help keep your business going. It can be used with dual fuel, either propane or gasoline, and it has a capacity of 8.3 gallons for a gasoline tank and 40 gallons for a propane tank. It measures 26 inches in height, 30 inches in width and 22 inches in length, and it has a weight of 236 pounds. It is EPA and CARB certified, and it has a limited warranty of 3 years.

Power and Running Time

It features 12000 starting watts and 9500 running watts when used with gasoline, and 11400 starting watts with 9025 running watts when used with propane, thus it can support heavy-loads, allowing you to connect your equipment. Furthermore, it has a 457cc engine, with 4-cycle air-cooled spark-ignition, and it comes with both electric and recoil start, to allow you to start it either way. It is able to function 8.83 hours on gasoline at ½ load, and 7.2 hours on propane at ½ load.

Control Panel

It includes two 120V/20A outlets, one 120V/30A twist lock outlet, one 120/240V 30A outlet, and a 50A heavy-duty outlet to allow you to power other items. Additionally, it comes with a voltmeter, a circuit breaker to keep it safe in case of sudden surges, and a low oil indicator – for better maintenance and idle control. Moreover, it has a unique MX2 switch, which, will double your 120V amperage when used with heavy loads.

Design

It has a heavy-duty frame made from metal, with fully isolated motor mounts and a muffler which will provide you with a relatively quiet, 74 dB, operation. It is easy to transport and move around thanks to its solid-fill, durable tires and included handle-kit it comes with.

PROS	CONS
Electric and recoil start Durable and sturdy design Easy to maneuver and move Relatively quiet Dual fuel availability Strong engine for heavy-duty load	There were some complaints about the wheels Some complained about the engine
VERDICT
Made for heavy-duty, it has a large power capacity which will allow you to connect several items at once. Even more, it can work on gasoline or propane, thus it provides you with versatility and freedom when it comes to what fuel to use.

2. Rainier R12000DF

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It measures 27.2 inches in length, 26.1 inches in width and 26 inches in height and it weighs 200 pounds. It features a dual fuel system, sustained by either propane or gasoline, and it features an electric and recoil start-up systems. Additionally, it has a fuel tank size of 6.6 gallons, and it can run up to 11 hours on a 20-pound propane tank, and up to 17 hours, at 25% load with gasoline. It has a relatively silent functioning 72dB and it is EPA and CARB compliant.

It features 12000 peak watts and 9500 running watts while on gasoline and 10800 peak watts with 8550 running watts on propane. It has a strong and powerful 457cc OHV 4-stroke engine, which comes with an automatic low-oil shut down function which will turn the unit off when the oil level is too low. It also has a fuel gauge, which will allow you to see with only a glance, as it is color-coded if it has enough fuel. Even more, it comes equipped with an overload protection alarm and a VTF data center for increased precision when using it.

It features several plugs, to allow you to connect multiple gadgets at the same time: two 120V 20A 5-20R GFCI outlets, one 120V 30A L5-30R outlet, one 120/240 V 30A (14-30R) and one 120/240 50A (L14-50R) outlet. Moreover, it comes with durable 10-inch wheels, which will allow you to move it easily from one place to another in spite of its weight, and two foam-grip handles for increased convenience and hassle-free maneuverability. It comes with a limited 1-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.

PROS	CONS
Several outlets Dual fuel Strong and powerful engine Auto low-oil shutdown Overload protection alarm VTF data center Electric and recoil start	There were some complaints about its fuel consumption rate Some complained about the battery
VERDICT
It provides you with the possibility of using your preferred type of fuel, gasoline or propane, while also providing you with enough electric power to allows you to easily connect several appliances to it at the same time. Additionally, thanks to its wheels and handles you can simply move it around whenever the need appears.

3. Pulsar PG12000B

It measures 28.5 inches in width, 22.2 inches in length and 21.8 inches in height, and it has a weight of 209 pounds. It can be used with dual fuel, thus you can use it with propane as well as gasoline, and it packs 12.000W peak and 9.500W rated power on gasoline and 10.800W peak and 8.550W rated power on propane thanks to its, CARB approved, 457cc, single cylinder with 4 strokes OHV engine. Therefore, you can easily connect more than one appliance at once, in order to keep your food business going. It is able to function 12 hours with 50% load of 8 gallons of gasoline, and around 10-11 hours with 50% load of a propane tank.

It comes with an easy to use fuel switch which will allow you to easily transition from one type of fuel to the other without interruption, while its durable steel frame will make sure it will last you a long time. Additionally, it comes with 10” never flat tires, as well as convenient drop-down handles, thus it provides you with an easy way of storing and maneuvering it around. Moreover, it has both electric and recoil start, to provide you with a backup way of getting it to work, and it comes with 4 120V 20A AC outlets, 1 120V/240V 30A twist lock outlet, 1 120V/240V 50A outlet and 1 12V DC output, while thanks to its low oil sensor, it will automatically shut itself off if the need arises.

It comes with an overload circuit protection which will make sure that the generator, as well as your appliances, is safe even if there are sudden spikes. Moreover, it has an hour meter which will tell you how long you’ve used it and automatic voltage regulation for increased safety. It comes with a relatively silent operation only 74 dBs, and with a 3 in 1 digital voltmeter. It also comes with a propane hose and regulator to allow you quick and hassle-free use. It comes with a limited 2-year warranty on generator engine components and parts only, and with a limited 1year warranty on alternator components parts and labor, from the moment of your purchase.

PROS	CONS
Overload protection Low oil automatic shut off Dual fuel Never flat tires Easy to use and maneuver Several outlets	There were some complaints about it being noisy Some complained about the battery
VERDICT
It provides you with a strong and durable power source, which you can easily fuel up with either propane or gasoline, in order to keep your food business going. It comes with several outlets to allow you to connect more than one appliance at a time, while thanks to its overload protection, low oil auto shut down and voltmeter, you won’t have to worry about using it for a long time period. Additionally, it comes with a sturdy exterior frame, and the large, never flat tires will help you move it and store it around easily.

4. Westinghouse WGen7500DF

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It measures 27.25 inches in length, 26.25 inches in width and 26.25 inches in height, and it weighs 194 pounds. It is able to work with both propane and gasoline, thus it provides you with versatility when using the fuel you want. It features 9500 peak watts and 7500 running watts when using gasoline while it has 8550 peak watts and 6750 running watts when using propane. Additionally, it has a fuel tank capacity of 6.6 gallons, and it is capable of running 16 hours at only 25% load with gasoline, and 11 hours at 50% load with gasoline, while with a 20-pound standard propane tank, it can run 11 hours when 25% loaded.

It has a strong 420cc OHV 4-stroke engine, which is capable of generating 3600rpm, and a low operation volume, of 74 dB. It features 3 ways to start the engine up push-button electric, recoil and remote, thanks to the start key fob it comes with. It has one 120/240V 30A (L14-30R) twist-lock outlet, two duplex 120V 20A GFCI (5-20R) outlets, two 5V USB ports, and an ST switch outlet. Additionally, all outlets are covered, to protect them from elements, and it has an automatic low oil shutdown system, which will automatically turn the unit off when the oil level is too low, a digital hour meter and a voltmeter.

Furthermore, it comes with a single handle made from foam grip, and thanks to its large, 10-inch diameter and 2.5-inch wide wheels made from sturdy polyurethane; you won’t have to worry about moving it around or maneuvering it with ease. EPA, CARB, and CSA compliant, it has a 3-year warranty and nationwide customer service support.

PROS	CONS
Automatic low oil shutdown system Several outlets Digital hour meter and voltmeter Dual fuel Powerful and durable	There were some complaints about its noise level Some complained about its weight
VERDICT
It provides you with several outlets to allow you to easily plug several appliances in, at the same time. Additionally, thanks to its dual fuel ability, you can quickly switch to your favorite fuel types, while thanks to its automatic low oil shutdown, you can be sure it will keep you and your gadgets safe.

5. All Power America APGG10000GL

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It measures 28 inches in length, 23 inches in width and 19 inches in height, and it has a weight of 229 pounds. It features dual fuel ability, thus you can use it with both propane and gasoline according to your preferences, and it has a fuel capacity of 8 gallons. It has 10000W peak power and 8000W running power when used with gasoline, and when used with propane it has 8500W peak power and 7000W running power.

It has a strong and powerful engine, with 15 HP, 420cc 4-stroke OHV, air-cooled; at it can run 11 hours with only 50% load. While the low oil shut down function it comes with is not automatic, it will stop the fuel flow from going through the unit if the engine is not running. Additionally, it comes with an hour meter and it is able to work relatively silent, with only 76 dB.

It also has an electric start button and a backup recoil start in case it won’t start. EPA certified, it has 4 AC duplex 120V outlets, one 120V twist-lock outlet, one 120/240V twist-lock outlet and one 12V DC outlet. Thanks to its handles with slip-free grip and its large, never-flat wheels, you won’t have to worry about moving it around, as it allows you do to do hassle-free and effortless. It has a limited 1-year warranty from the date of your purchase.

PROS	CONS
Several outlets Silent functioning Strong and powerful Electric and recoil start Large fuel capacity	It doesn’t come with a voltmeter The low-oil shutdown function is not automatic
VERDICT
It provides you with several outlets to allow you to use multiple pieces of equipment at the same time without worrying about overworking it. Additionally, it accepts dual fuel, thus you have the freedom of choosing which one you prefer to use, gasoline or propane.

6. Champion Power Equipment 100165

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It measures 27.8 inches in length, 27.3 inches in height and 23.8 inches in width, and its weight is 207 pounds. Additionally, it has a relatively silent operation, 74 dB, and it comes with an intelliGauge which will keep you informed about voltage, hertz and run-time hours, to allow you to monitor the power output and maintenance intervals. Even more, it comes with ColdStart Technology, which provides you with an optimized start, quick and reliable, even in cold weather.

It comes with a powerful 439cc OVH 4-stroke, air-cooled engine, with a toggle switch, and it has a low-oil shut-off function and a cast iron sleeve for durability. EPA and CARB approved, it has electric and recoil start, as well as a wireless remote to allow you to start it from a distance. It has a fuel tank capacity of 6.1 gallons; it comes with a durable steel frame, and a portable U-shaped folding handle with never-flat tires to allow you to move it hassle-free.

It has one 30A 120/240V L14-30R outlet, one 50A RV 120/240V 14-50R outlet, one 30A RV 120V TT-30R and four 20A GFCI 120V 5-20R outlets, to allow you to connect several devices at the same time. It reaches 9375W at peak and 7500W when running on gasoline, and 8400W at peak, with 6750W when running on propane. Additionally, it comes with a trusty Volt Guard with a built-in surge protector to prevent any types of overloads. It comes with an included engine oil canister and with a limited 3-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.

PROS	CONS
Several outlets Strong and powerful engine ColdStart Technology IntelliGauge Volt Guard Dual fuel	There were some complaints about the warranty Some complained about it being noisy
VERDICT
It comes with several functions to not only allow you to use it for a long time period but also to sustain you and your business on wheels. It allows you to choose what type of fuel you wish to use with it, propane or gasoline, while also providing you with several plugs for you to be able to equip all the necessary equipment at the same time without overloading it.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
Battery is dead	Almost all generators come with a recoil start. This is your back-up if the electric start does not respond. It is recommended to replace the battery at least every 3 years, so you won’t run into troubles later. However, if you’re right in the middle of a crisis, start it with the recoil and let it function. The battery should recharge itself as it works, enough to start it electrical after some time.
Appliance won’t start	Plug it directly into the generator or use extension cords rated for your load. Additionally, make sure the generator can support the appliance you want to use it with.
It worked and it suddenly stopped.	Depending on how many appliances you’re using, you might have overloaded it. Plug some of them out, and try again.
The voltage from the AC outlet is too low	Make sure the generator runs at the rated speed. Additionally, make sure the slip rings are clean and check the connections between pins on the regulator. If it doesn’t solve the problem, ask for professional help.
It runs rough and/or smokes, even after it had been warmed up	The electric automatic choke might not be opening, or opening improperly. It might also be caused by fouled spark plugs.