When I bought my first catering van it came with a griddle, a water boiler, a chip fryer and a fridge, and I did not have a clue how to use or maintain any of them. This page is the section I wish I had back then: a plain English guide to each appliance, what it does, how to look after it, and what to watch for when buying. The right equipment lets you serve a broader menu, work faster and earn more, so it pays to know your kit.
Start with your menu, not the catalogue
The menu you plan to offer decides the equipment you need, not the other way round. A burger van lives and dies by its griddle. A jacket potato trade needs an oven. Chips need a fryer and a scuttle to keep them warm. Work out the menu first, then pick the appliances that deliver it. If you are still at that stage, the equipment guide walks through the four essentials and what they cost.
The appliance guides
Tap any appliance for a plain-English guide — how it works, how to look after it, and what to check before you buy.
LPG or electric?
Run as much of your kit as you can on LPG. It is more efficient, usually cheaper to run, and it spares you a generator, which is an expensive and noisy way to power appliances. If your vehicle has both gas and electric installed you will need separate test certificates, one for the LPG appliances and one for the electrics, and every individual electric appliance such as a toaster or sandwich maker needs its own PAT test. So if it is not too late, keep it LPG.
Buying second-hand
I bought additional equipment second-hand when I started and saved a few hundred pounds, and I never had a problem. But do your due diligence. Every appliance must carry the CE/UKCA mark, and any second-hand gas appliance should come with a valid test certificate from a qualified LPG engineer so you know it is safe to use. If it does not have one, walk away, whatever the price.
Buying new
New equipment comes with a warranty, the reassurance it is safe and compliant, and these days plenty of help spreading the cost, with interest free periods and leasing options widely available. If you want to see current prices, the full mobile catering equipment range is at mobcater.com, our sister equipment site.
Equipment help for every stage
The free MobCater app includes equipment guidance for every stage of the startup journey, alongside the 12-step guide and checklist.
Open the free appFree 12-step guide forever · no credit card needed