What Size Generator Do I Need to Buy?


I am starting up my own catering business which is a pop up i only have electric equipment including a large griddle two single fryers one small under counter fridge and small under counter freezer. I don't know what kind of generator to buy any advice from any experience?

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Dec 11, 2025
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by: MobCater

Hiya, this is a really common question, so you’re not on your own at all.

You’ve basically listed all the big power-hungry items people try to run on a generator:

Large electric griddle

Two single fryers

Under-counter fridge

Under-counter freezer

On paper it sounds simple: "buy a generator big enough for everything."
In reality, for a mobile catering setup, an all-electric lineup like this usually needs a very big, expensive generator.

1. Why the size can get silly quite quickly

Most electric catering kit is around this sort of power:

A big griddle can often be 2.5–3kW+

Each single fryer can be 2–3kW

Fridge and freezer are usually around 100–200W each, but they "spike" when the compressor starts

If (very roughly) we say:

Griddle 3kW

Fryer 1 – 2.5kW

Fryer 2 – 2.5kW

Fridge & freezer together around 300–400W

You’re already nudging 8–9kW if you try to run everything together.

To run that comfortably you’re looking at a generator in the 9–10kVA+ range (and ideally more so it’s not screaming its head off all day). That’s:

Big

Heavy

Noisy

And drinks a lot of fuel every day

That’s why a lot of traders say: "I wish I’d gone gas for the hot stuff."

2. Do you really need to run everything at once?

A more realistic question is:

"What will I have on at the same time in a normal busy service?"

For example, you might decide:

Griddle on full

Only one fryer on at a time

Fridge and freezer ticking away in the background

Now you’re maybe closer to 5–6kW in real life, which is more like a 6–7kVA generator. Still not tiny, but much more manageable than a 10kVA beast.

So the size of generator really depends on:

Which bits of kit you’re willing to not run together

How comfortable you are with the generator working hard vs having some spare headroom

3. The way most experienced traders end up doing it

A lot of people start with "all electric" and then later change things after they see the fuel bills.

What many experienced UK traders do is:

Use gas (LPG) for the big heat:

Griddle

Fryers

Use electric (small generator or inverter/battery) for:

Fridge & freezer

Lights

Till / phone chargers

Maybe a small mixer or blender

That way, instead of needing 7–10kW of generator power, you might only need 1–2kW for the "small stuff", which can be done with a quiet inverter generator or a battery/inverter setup.

So if you haven’t bought the equipment yet, it is really worth considering gas griddle + gas fryers, and keeping electric for the lighter bits.

4. What I’d suggest you do next

Look at the rating plates on each appliance.

Write down the Watts (W) or kW for:

Griddle

Fryer 1

Fryer 2

Fridge

Freezer

Decide realistically what you’ll run at the same time during a rush.

Add those Watts together and then add at least 20–30% extra for safety and start-up spikes.

Take that list to:

A good generator supplier, or

A qualified electrician,
and ask them:

"What size generator would you recommend for this load in a mobile catering trailer?"

They’ll be able to say, "You really need around X kVA" and might also tell you honestly if it’s worth switching the hot stuff to gas.

5. Simple bottom line

With all-electric hot equipment, you’re probably in big generator territory.

For most small pop-up caterers, a mix of gas for cooking and electric for fridges/lights works out cheaper, quieter and easier.

Before you spend a lot of money, write down the watts and get a proper opinion from a generator supplier or electrician – it could save you from buying the wrong machine. Hope this helps you get started.

PS. Get the free guide on Starting a Mobile Catering Business Guide

Disclaimer:
This is general advice for UK mobile catering. Always check the power ratings on your equipment and speak to a qualified electrician or generator specialist before buying a generator or changing your setup.

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