What Size Generator Does a Food Truck Need? (By Menu + Equipment)

Last verified 2026-08-28 · every wattage cites its source · methodology

Running a food truck — everything in the sourced list below at once — takes about 9,800 running watts with 10,800W available at startup (the largest motor's surge). With 20% headroom, look for a generator rated around 13,000W; drop items from the list and the number falls fast.

The list, with sourced watts

Appliance	Running watts	Starting (surge)
Commercial reach-in refrigerator (two-section)	700	1,400
Electric skillet	1,200	2,000
Deep fryer, electric (commercial countertop)	4,000	—
Microwave oven (1000 W cook power)	1,000	2,000
Commercial coffee brewer (pourover, 120V)	1,600	200
Exhaust/vent hood fan (food truck)	800	1,400
POS system + lights (food truck service loads)	500	50

The arithmetic

Running total: 9,800W
+ largest single starting surge: 1,000W
= peak demand: 10,800W
× 1.2 headroom → recommended rating: ~13,000W

Data note: exhaust_fan surge is ANALOG-DERIVED from the 1/3 HP furnace-blower row (no hood-fan surge published; two spec sources 403-blocked = unread). Render as provisional; corroborate against installed fan nameplate.

Data note: deep_fryer_electric sizes at the 4,000 W dual-tank/240V class; single-basket 120V units are ~1,800 W — page should ask which.

Data note: griddle_electric remains a household-skillet partial (flagged in-row), not a commercial griddle figure.

Generators that cover this (from our verified catalog)

Westinghouse WGen14500DFc
14,500W rated · 18,000W starting · dual fuel (gasoline/propane)
Spec: manufacturer

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Generac Guardian 26kW (7290)
22,500W rated · natural gas / liquid propane (standby)
Spec: manufacturer

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Adjust this list in the calculator →

What size generator do I need for a food truck?

9,800 running watts with 10,800W at startup for the full list — ~13,000W rated with headroom. Trim the list to shrink the requirement.

Why do starting watts matter?

Motor-driven loads briefly draw 2–4× their running watts at startup. Cover the running total plus the single largest surge, or the motor stalls.

Is a bigger generator always better?

No — oversized open-frame units burn more fuel and run louder. Size to your real list with ~20% headroom.

Sources

True Manufacturing T-49-HC specifications (manufacturer)
Elite Steel Concepts food-truck generator size guide (equipment wattage table) (vendor)
OUPES food-truck equipment wattage table (vendor)
Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative generator sizing chart (utility)
Champion Power Equipment 'Choosing a Generator' wattage flyer (manufacturer)
Cecilware EL2X15 countertop electric fryer spec (WebstaurantStore dealer listing) (vendor)
Wattage Worksheet '3R0WATTGUIDE' (generator reference guide, Home Depot-hosted PDF) (vendor)
A-iPower Wattage Chart (Sam's Club-hosted PDF) (vendor)
BUNN VP17-1 (13300.0001) spec (WebstaurantStore dealer listing) (vendor)

Figures are conservative sizing values chosen from the range these sources report. Your appliance's nameplate is authoritative.