New: the free 12-step MobCater startup guide is now in the app. Open the app →

How to fit a hot water heater for handwashing in my catering trailer?

by Elaine Thomas
(South Wales)

Hi David,

Elaine here your site is still as brilliant as ever and thanks to you my friend and i have started our burger van and have been trading for nearly three months now. We really are enjoying it.

We have recently had our first visit from EHO and passed with flying colours and bagged a bronze welsh award for food hygiene.
We have been advised to install a small water heater for hand washing as our trailer does not have one, and was wondering if you could explain briefly how the water would be passed into the heater and any recommendations about which one to purchase. We have a Burro boiler which we are using for hot water for our hands at the moment.

Many thanks
Elaine Thomas

Comments for How to fit a hot water heater for handwashing in my catering trailer?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Sep 24, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Catering trailer hand washing unit information
by: George Williams

Hi Elaine,
I don't know if this thread's still open.
There's useful information on the NCASS (Nationwide Caterers Association website).

"Operating a mobile, street food or outside catering business? Then you need a hand washing unit. Here’s 5 reasons why".

https://www.ncass.org.uk/mobile-catering-home/content/get-legal/law-pages/handwashing

That lead me to the unit I'm using now - the Handeman extra. I have very limited room, so I needed a compact unit. There are bigger ones that they do.

This one's mine https://www.tealwash.com/shop/handeman-xtra-for-motor-vehicles/
May 15, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Hand washing range for catering trailers
by: Peter

Hi Elaine, I use a unit by a company called Teal who I believe are based in Birmingham. I've used their Handeman Xtra model for the last couple of years.

They do 2 other models for vans as well - I've not tried either of those - but you can find all 3 on their website https://www.tealwash.com/product-tag/motor-vehicles/

Well done on your award!
May 14, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Hot water
by: Anonymous

Hello just get tea ern pput in ur trailer an use hot water from that. I was advised when i got my trailer registered by enviro health guy. Hope this helps. Tanya
Nov 24, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Help with hot water supply
by: Anonymous

Hi I have to put hot water supply into my burger trailer it is all electric I can buy a wall mounted hot water kettle manual fill with cold water 5 ltr I can get it hard wired it has an arm that can go to both sinks 1 hand wash only 1 dishes only they said it has to be pipped hot water will this be ok or do I have to but a wall mounted hit water heater that needs a pump and pipe into a cold water container it does the same as the wall kettle which is easier to install thanks elaine d
Aug 30, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Burger van hot water hand washing unit
by: Pippa Clarke

Charlie - in answer to your recent question.

There's a range of portable units for vans - many just plug into the vehicle's electrical system so you can have warm water all the time.

I've got the TEALwash. My friend said that it was straightforward enough to connect up.

The manufacturers do 4 different ones for vans - an outfit called Teal Patents - and you can buy them online.
Hot Water Heater Catering Trailer
Aug 29, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Water heater
by: CharlieAnonymous

Hi I recently brought a burger van and it has no water tank or water heater only a sink Is there anywhere I can buy a unit that is all included with out buying seperate pumps tanks and fitting them together? Thanks for your help
Jul 06, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		water pump & heater
by: Danny

I have just purchased a catering trailer shell. It has two fitted sinks over a cupboard in one corner. Can anyone give advice on which water pump & heater i should get to fit in the cupboard?
Oct 26, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Another hand washing option
by: Phil Collier

Hi All,
I added a comment on here over a year ago about the TEALwash for motor vehicles, which can be found at http://www.tealwash.com/shop/tealwash-motor-vehicles/

If you want something even more portable, the guys at Teal have come up with a larger version of the Handman - the Handeman Xtra which has a larger capacity than the previous model and looks a whole lot nicer. I've been using one for a couple of weeks now.
http://www.tealwash.com/shop/handeman-xtra-for-motor-vehicles/

If it helps there's a video showing it in use http://www.tealwash.com/product-category/handeman-xtra-range/
Apr 17, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Help
by: Tam

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone can help me?
I've finally made the jump... Can't wait to start up... Just getting everything in place.... I solve one thing and something else pops up!!! Lol. I've got a double sink, running water, but not hot water.... Can anyone advise me what would be best for me to do.... Any advice would be helpful
Tam x
Feb 09, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Hot and Cold Running Water in catering trailer
by: Anonymous

Hi Will
The one you installed with water supply under the sink - does the surflow pump push the water upwards.
I am having trouble to find a pump that pushing water to the water heater

Can you give me more details on how you installed yours

How much was the surlow pump

thanks
Nov 21, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Question for WILL
by: Rachel

Hello Will, can you please give me some more info on how you installed the system, what other parts do I need?
Many thanks
RachelARCANe
May 06, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		LPG handwash?
by: Anonymous

Hi all answers given have no given a clear answer or link to an lpg hhandwash unit, where the water temperature is regulated by thermocouple and does not require electricity? I want to buy an lpg unit as electricity is not cost efficient in the long run gas is more reliable...cananybody help or recomend a supplier?
May 06, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Hot water hand washing unit for trailers
by: Phil Collier

Elane's comments are spot on.

I use a thing called a Tealwash - I connected it up to the electrical system and it heats the water. Waste water tips away from the detachable bowl. Neat!

Teal Wash Motor Vehicles
Apr 25, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Portable Hand Washing Units
by: David

Hi All,

Please check out some options here for portable hand-washing units:

Handeman in Cab Wash

The most you will need is a car battery or cigarette lighter connection.This unit comes with 10 12 second hot-hand washes.


Hope this helps, let me.
David
Apr 25, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Similar Situation
by: Su Power

Yep, I'm having the same issue, Ive been running for a few months and invited EHO to come tell me how I'm doing, had my visit last week and got 5 stars, but was advised to get a water heater fitted as Burco is not considered acceptable. Not on mains water so therefore, water pressure has to be considered. I just have a big plastic water container under the two sinks!!! Just not sure as to whether to go with an electric water heater or an lpg one, and whichever….can anyone recommend one they use given the same set of ingredients?

Thanks to all for your help and advice so far…I would be stuck without it.

Su
Mar 22, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		WATER HEATER.
by: LOUISE

I have just bought a catering trailer and it fitted with a hot water heater and water pump for handwashing.
I haven't a clue how the water pump works as I wasn't given any instructions, do I fill the water pump up with water myself and if so how as I can't work out where to fill it!
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
Aug 17, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		electric water heater
by: will

I have just fitted a water heater in my catering van. It was from RS electrical in the midlands
it comes complete with a hot and cold mixer tap,
cost £106.00. also fitted a shurflo water pump and 12 volt power supply, the heater is simple to fit, three hoses to connect and then fill with water plug in and your sorted, more than capable of doing the job and i have three small sinks. the heater model is a hyflo5 if i remember correctly and sits under the sink out of the way hope this helps.
Jun 28, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Reply to David
by: elaine thomas

Hi David thanks for your comments and will try to send a pic of our trailer, not very good in that department.
Elaine Thomas
Jun 16, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Well Done For Starting You're Mobile Catering Business
by: David

Hi Elaine,

That's really fantastic new, and I'm really glad that you and your friend are enjoying your new business.

With regards to installing a water heater you?re almost certainly better off getting a professional to fit the water heater for you. As there are a number of water and gas pipes that need to be connected up safely.

I did manage to have a quick search on ebay which brought up a few lpg water heaters. If you have trouble finding/fitting a water heater, the nearest catering trailer or caravan manufacture should be able to help you out.

Best of luck, and would love to see a picture of your trailer some time.

Well Done!
David

p.s Free Start Up Guide

Catering Liabiliy Insurance

Grants, Finance to Get Started

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Catering Trailer Cooking Equipment.

Your first trading day is closer than you think

Start free today with the 12-step guide, and skip the trial and error most new caterers learn the hard way.

Start the free 12-step guide