Mobile Catering Equipment Buying Guide: The Complete UK Guide (2026)
A mobile catering operation — food truck, festival pitch, marquee service, contract caterer route — requires seven interlocking kit categories: cooking (hob, fryer, BBQ), refrigeration, hand-wash compliance, hot-hold, prep, electrical generation, and safe LPG handling. This guide covers the actual power budget you need, the generator sizing math nobody explains, the hand-wash compliance that fails EHO inspections most often, and the cost stack reality: typical kit-out £8,000–£25,000 ex VAT for a credible compact mobile operation.
- Power budget reality: a 10 kVA portable generator = ~8 kW useful output (80% derate rule). Electric fryer (9 kW) + induction hob (3.5 kW) + refrigeration (1.5 kW) + hand-wash heater (2 kW) = 16 kW demand — you need 20 kVA minimum or LPG conversion for some kit.
- Hand-wash non-negotiable: 25-litre container with hot + cold water, soap dispenser, disposable towels. Cost £150–£400. EHO will fail you on arrival without it — not optional.
- LPG hierarchy (CP44 scope): patio gas (domestic only), 6 kg propane (small mobile), 13/19 kg (stalls/trucks), 47 kg (fixed pitches). All require annual CP44 mobile gas safety certificate (£155–£280/year).
- Fryer spec mismatch: Roller Grill OFS16L (9 kW, 16L, £3,199) exceeds 13 A plug limits (3 kW max). Needs either 16 A radial circuit or LPG conversion — critical before purchase.
- Food safety in transit: cold chain max 8°C, hot hold min 63°C. Insulated transport boxes required. Out-of-temp-control maximum 2 hours cumulative (FSA Reg 852/2004 retained).
- Insurance bundle (NCASS): £200/year, satisfies most event organisers. Covers Public Liability £5M, requires CP44 cert + Food Hygiene Rating.
- Typical 12-event operation: £12,000 kit-out + £4,500 annual running cost = £16,500 year-one outlay. At £18/cover, 1,500 covers breaks even.
- Electrical IP rating outdoors: IP65 (water-jet rated) for exposed equipment, IP54 for covered areas. All outdoor circuits require 30 mA RCD protection (BS 7671).
Mobile catering content in the UK is split: either a price list with no guidance, or gear-and-passion blogs missing compliance and power budget reality. This guide is for the trade buyer — food truck operator, festival vendor, contract caterer with a roving service, pub or hotel managing a pop-up kitchen. We cover the seven mandatory kit categories, the power math that prevents you buying kit you can’t run, the generator sizing nobody explains clearly, and the compliance checklist that keeps you trading legally at every event. Browse our mobile and event catering equipment range when ready.
In this guide ↓
- Key facts and 2026 UK reference numbers
- The decisions that matter on purchase day
- UK price tiers and what each tier buys you
- Stocked products at Craven Cooling — verified specs and prices
- Year-one total cost of ownership worked example
- UK compliance checklist
- Installation and use checklist
- FAQ — eight buyer-objection questions answered
Decision 1: Full Electric, LPG Hybrid, or Full LPG?
Your power budget determines the generator cost, weight, noise, and fuel spend. Spec it wrong and you’re £2,000 over budget or unable to run peak service. This decision locks in the rest of the kit choices.
| Option | Gen size (kVA) | Useful power (kW) | Setup cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full electric (all equipment plug-in) | 20 kVA petrol/Honda | ~16 kW continuous | £2,500–£4,200 | Short events (4–6 hrs). Lower fuel cost. Quieter modern generators (70 dB@7m). Inverter models (Honda EU) protect comms terminals. |
| LPG hybrid (hob/fryer LPG, fridge/prep electric) | 10 kVA petrol/Honda | ~8 kW continuous | £1,800–£2,800 | Most mobile ops do this. Cuts gen size by 50%, fuel cost by 40%. Needs CP44 mobile gas cert annually (£155–£280). |
| Full LPG (only electric for fridge + prep lights) | 6 kVA petrol | ~4.8 kW continuous | £900–£1,400 | Multi-day festivals, multiple pitches. Minimum gen just runs fridge + lighting. LPG costs are 40% of electric. CP44 required. Higher upfront appliance cost (LPG conversion kits). |
Decision 2: Hand-Wash Station Setup (EHO Non-Negotiable)
The single most-inspected compliance point on mobile catering arrival. Missing or inadequate hand-wash = immediate shutdown, no service. Cost is £150–£400 fully assembled. It’s not optional.
Portable Hot Water Urn + Container
£180–£320- 25-litre insulated container
- 5-litre hot water urn plugs into gen
- Cold water tap on container
- Soap dispenser + towel roll holder
- Most common mobile setup
Kettle + Basin Option
£120–£180- Large basin for hand-wash
- Kettle for hot water + flask
- Budget option; requires constant kettle refilling
- Not ideal for high covers
- Acceptable if under 100 covers/day
Mobile Hand-Wash Unit (wheeled)
£320–£500- Complete integrated station
- Electric hot water built-in
- Foot or knee tap
- Storage for soap + towels
- Professional appearance; best for repeat events
| Setup type | Cost | Best covers/event | EHO approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urn + container (standard) | £220 | Up to 250 covers | ✓ Tick |
| Kettle + basin (budget) | £150 | Up to 100 covers | ✓ Tick if clean |
| Mobile unit (premium) | £400 | Unlimited | ✓ Strong approval |
| No dedicated hand-wash | £0 | N/A | ✗ FAIL |
The 7 Essential Kit Categories: What Every Mobile Operation Needs
1. Cooking (Hob/Fryer)
£2,000–£8,000- Induction or LPG hob
- Deep fryer (electric or gas)
- Or combo unit (hob + griddle)
- Power hungry — drives gen size
2. Refrigeration (Cold Chain)
£1,200–£3,500- Reach-in fridge or chest unit
- Must maintain 8°C in transit
- Backup insulated boxes
- Thermometer logging required
3. Hand-Wash Station
£150–£400- Hot + cold water container
- Soap dispenser
- Paper towel roll
- EHO mandatory — not optional
4. Hot Hold (Bain Marie/Cabinet)
£600–£2,200- Keeps food at 63°C+ after service
- Electric bain marie or hot cupboard
- Essential if batch-cooking
- Lower power draw (~1.5 kW)
5. Prep Work Surface
£300–£1,200- Stainless steel work table
- Or fold-out prep unit
- Waste bin + hand-wash sink
- Space constraint on most setups
6. Electrical Generation
£1,500–£4,500- Portable petrol/diesel gen
- Inverter model for comms kit
- 10–20 kVA depending on load
- Power budget decision locks this
7. LPG Handling (if hybrid/full LPG)
£400–£1,200- LPG cylinders (13, 19, 47 kg)
- Commercial regulators
- Secure transport cage
- CP44 cert required annually
UK Mobile Catering Kit-Out Price Tiers (April 2026)
Cooking in Detail: Fryer Mismatch & Power Reality
The most-common under-discovered problem is the electric fryer that requires more power than your gen supplies or your event’s electrical provision allows.
Featured Mobile Catering Equipment
- 16-litre capacity — 40–50 portions per batch
- Electric 9 kW, 190°C max temperature
- Stainless steel construction
- Requires 16 A radial circuit or LPG conversion
- Professional-grade thermostat + timer
- Fat drainage system
The workhorse 16L fryer for mobile catering. 40+ portions per batch, precise temperature control, professional build. But the 9 kW power draw requires either a dedicated 16 A circuit from a 15+ kVA generator or LPG conversion kit (adds £600–£800, cuts power demand to ~1.5 kW). Verify your power plan before ordering — this is the most-misspecced appliance in mobile setups.
View Roller Grill OFS16L →Total Cost of Ownership: 12-Event Mobile Operation (Year 1)
Most mobile caterers run 12–18 events per year (weekends + occasional mid-week). Here is the full cost reality for a compact LPG-hybrid setup running 100 covers per event average.
Revenue model at typical mobile catering pricing (£18–£22 per cover food + service): 12 events × 100 covers × £20 average = £24,000 revenue. Cost of goods sold ~40% (£9,600), staffing ~30% (£7,200), leaving £7,200 margin. Minus the £1,066 running cost = £6,134 year-one profit. The equipment pays for itself before year two with these margins.
UK Legal & Compliance Checklist: 6 Non-Negotiable Items
Compliance is not a yes-or-no. It’s six separate checks that must all pass, or you don’t trade. Missing any one has shut down mobile ops mid-event.
Annual inspection by Gas Safe registered engineer with mobile catering scope. Cost £155–£280. Must be dated within 12 months. Every event organiser asks for this at gate-in. Book February for summer season — inspectors fill fast.
Mobile food traders register with their home Local Authority once, not at every event location. Triggers your Food Hygiene Rating (typically 4 or 5 stars within 6 months of trading). Required before first event. Rate yourself at food.gov.uk/ratings.
Keep hot food at 63°C+, cold at 8°C max. Probe temperature every batch and log. Out-of-control food >2 hours cumulative = discard. Insulated transport boxes mandatory. Daily HACCP record book required by EHO.
Almost every event organiser requires £5M minimum. NCASS membership covers most UK mobile caterers and is widely accepted. Insurers want your CP44 cert, Food Hygiene Rating, and PAT test records on any portable electrical kit.
Technically “maintenance” but most event organisers and insurers demand PAT records on generators, extension reels, and portable equipment. Annual test cost ~£150–£300 for a complete mobile kit. Get certificates.
LPG cylinders minimum 1 metre from any building, marquee, or trading structure. No LPG inside a trading structure. Cylinders in secure cage or upright restraint. Venue may charge for LPG cage hire (£25–£50 per event).
Pre-Event Deployment Checklist
The night before or morning-of. Nothing mobile leaves the depot until every box is ticked.
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CP44 certificate in vehicle + mobile phone photo backup Event organisers ask at arrival. Out-of-date = immediate shutdown. Keep both original and scan copies.
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Cold chain: insulated box + ice packs at 8°C or below Check thermometer on arrival. Probe raw meat batch when unloading. Record temp in HACCP log.
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Hand-wash station: hot water, cold water, soap, paper towels Fill insulated urn with 40°C+ hot water. EHO checks this first. If missing or inadequate = no service.
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Generator running + extension reels checked for damage Test under load (refrigerator running) for 5 minutes before service. Coiled extension reels must have RCD protection built-in (BS 7671). No damaged cable jackets.
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LPG cylinders (2×) + regulator + hose checked for leaks Soap water test on connections. One cylinder in use, one full spare. Regulator attached. Positioned 1 metre minimum from marquee/structures per UKLPG CoP 24 Part 3.
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Probe thermometer + spare batteries + HACCP record book Thermometer calibrated at ice point (0°C) at start of service. Every batch of cooked food probed to 75°C + logged. Thermometer cleaned between uses.
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Class F fire extinguisher (cooking oil rated) + fire blanket Within 5 metres of fryer/hob. Service-tagged annually. Fire blanket at prep station for fryer flare emergency.
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Insurance cert + Food Hygiene Rating visible + PAT test records on hand EHO or event organiser may ask. Show NCASS certificate, your Food Hygiene Rating printout, and PAT test dates on generator + extension reels.
Kit Comparison: Entry vs Mid-Market vs Contract Caterer Setup
| Category | Entry / Festival (£10k) | Mid-Market / Food Truck (£15k) | Contract / Multi-Event (£22k+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking | Induction hob + small LPG fryer | Dual burner hob + large fryer | Griddle + hob + dual-fryer capacity |
| Refrigeration | 1× reach-in fridge (280L) | 1× fridge + 1× freezer | 2× reach-in fridge + 1× freezer + backup cool box |
| Hot Hold | None (batch service) | Bain marie (1.5 kW) | Bain marie + hot cupboard (3 kW combined) |
| Hand-Wash | Basic urn + container (£220) | Standard urn + container + soap dispensers | Mobile wheeled hand-wash unit (£400) |
| Generator | 10 kVA petrol (Honda EU2200) | 15 kVA petrol/diesel | 20 kVA inverter generator |
| Events / year target | 8–12 events | 12–24 events | 30+ events or fixed pitches |
| Typical covers / event | 50–100 | 100–200 | 200+ or multiple pitches |
| Year 1 running cost | ~£800 | ~£1,200 | ~£2,000+ |
| Breakeven event count | 6 events @ 100 covers, £20/cover | 8 events @ 150 covers, £20/cover | 10 events @ 200 covers, £20/cover |
For outdoor BBQ catering (event-specific), see our commercial outdoor gas BBQ buying guide. For hot-holding (bain marie, heated trolleys), see the bain marie + hot holding guide. For whole-hog roasting events, read the hog roast buying guide.
Mobile catering in the UK is split into seven kit categories, and the power budget is the first decision — it locks in generator size (and cost). A typical compact operation runs £8,000–£12,000 kit-out (induction hob, LPG fryer, fridge, hand-wash, prep, 10 kVA gen), breakeven within 6–7 events at 100 covers/event at £18–£22/cover pricing. Hand-wash station is EHO non-negotiable and costs £150–£400; missing it means immediate shutdown. LPG hybrid (hob + fryer on gas, fridge on electric) cuts generator size and fuel cost vs full-electric. CP44 annual gas safety cert (£155–£280) is required if any LPG. Food safety is temperature-control (8°C cold, 63°C hot) + HACCP logging. Roller Grill OFS16L fryer (£3,199, 9 kW) is the most-specified unit but requires either a 16 A radial circuit or LPG conversion kit — verify power plan before buying. Craven Cooling stocks the Roller Grill OFS16L and sources complete mobile kits (hobs, fridges, generators, hand-wash units, bain maries) via Roller Grill, Buffalo, Lincat, Parry, and Honda. Leasing available from £1,000+VAT through Kennet.
