Mobile Catering Equipment: The Complete UK Guide
Whether you’re setting up a street food van, a catering trailer, or a market stall, choosing the right mobile catering equipment is the most important decision you’ll make before trading. Get it right and your setup runs efficiently, stays compliant, and earns you repeat custom. Get it wrong and you’re replacing kit mid-season or failing event checks.
Mobile catering equipment covers every piece of commercial kit a food business needs to cook, serve, power, and operate away from fixed premises — and choosing the right combination depends on your menu, your pitch space, and your gas and power setup. The most widely used equipment categories across UK mobile caterers are LPG cooking appliances, beverage machines, generators, and hand wash stations.
What Equipment Does a Mobile Catering Business Actually Need?
The core kit list for any mobile catering setup breaks down into five categories: cooking equipment, beverage equipment, power, food safety, and gas infrastructure. What you need from each category depends on what you’re selling — a burger van has a very different setup to a mobile coffee business or a crepe stall.
The most important rule when selecting equipment is to choose kit rated for commercial LPG use. Domestic appliances — even ones labelled “gas” — are not built for continuous outdoor use and won’t pass event organiser safety checks. Everything on a mobile catering unit should be rated for propane at 37 mbar.
LPG Cooking Equipment
Cooking appliances are the centrepiece of any mobile catering setup. The most common are countertop fryers, griddles, bain maries, and hob burners — all available as LPG propane models designed specifically for catering trailers and vans.
LPG Countertop Fryers
A countertop LPG fryer is the backbone of most mobile catering menus — chips, doughnuts, battered fish, chicken — all rely on consistent frying temperature. Look for a model with a thermostat-controlled burner (typically 6–9kW), a sufficient oil capacity for your throughput (8–12 litres is standard for a single tank), and a flame failure device for safety. Single-tank models work well for focused menus; twin-tank models let you cook different products at different temperatures simultaneously.
LPG Griddles and Flat Plates
A gas griddle gives you a wide cooking surface for burgers, sausages, bacon, and halloumi — the workhorse of the breakfast and burger van. Cast iron and stainless steel plate models are both widely used; cast iron holds heat more evenly while stainless steel is easier to clean. Ensure the model has a drip tray and is rated for the output you need — most countertop LPG griddles run between 4–8kW.
Bain Maries and Hot Plates
A bain marie keeps cooked food at serving temperature without overcooking it — essential for soups, sauces, curries, and pre-cooked products like hot dogs. LPG bain maries typically hold 2–4 GN 1/3 containers and run at low gas consumption, making them efficient for long service periods. A hot plate or heated display cabinet is useful if you’re serving pies, sausage rolls, or other grab-and-go items.
Mobile Catering Beverage Equipment
Beverages are one of the highest-margin product lines in mobile catering, and the right equipment is what makes them viable away from a mains water supply. The two key pieces are a commercial LPG coffee machine and an LPG water boiler or urn.
LPG and Dual Fuel Coffee Machines
A dual fuel coffee machine — typically running on LPG for heating and 12V or battery power for the pump and controls — is the standard choice for mobile coffee businesses and catering trailers with a drinks menu. Brands like Fracino make dedicated dual fuel espresso machines designed for exactly this use case, with the boiler heated by propane and electronics running off a small battery or inverter. These machines produce quality espresso drinks without requiring a mains connection.
LPG Water Boilers and Urns
A propane water boiler or LPG urn keeps hot water on tap for teas, instant coffees, hot chocolates, and cleaning throughout service. Capacity ranges from 10 to 30 litres — choose based on your expected covers. A 20-litre LPG urn is a good starting point for most mobile setups. Some models have a manual fill option, which is useful when mains water isn’t available.
Power: LPG Generators for Mobile Catering
Most mobile catering equipment runs on gas, but you’ll still need electrical power for lighting, refrigeration, tills, card readers, and any electric appliances. An LPG generator is the cleanest and most practical option for an all-propane setup — it runs off the same gas supply as your cooking equipment and produces significantly less noise and fumes than a petrol equivalent.
For a typical mobile catering unit running a fridge, lighting, and a card terminal, a 3–5kW LPG generator is usually sufficient. If you’re running multiple electric appliances or a large refrigeration unit, size up to 7–8kW. Inverter generators are worth considering for sensitive electronics — they produce cleaner power and run more quietly than conventional models.
Food Safety and Hygiene Equipment
Food hygiene regulations require mobile caterers to have handwashing facilities available at the point of food preparation. A portable hand wash station with a fresh water tank, waste water tank, and soap dispenser is the standard solution for pitches without a mains water connection. Look for a unit with a foot or elbow pump to keep it hands-free during service.
You’ll also need adequate refrigeration — a 12V compressor fridge or a gas-electric 3-way fridge is the most practical option for a catering trailer. Chest coolers and ice are not acceptable for food storage under commercial food hygiene rules.
Gas Safety: What You Need Before Trading
Before trading at any event, market, or public pitch, your LPG installation should be checked and certified by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The relevant certificate for mobile catering is the CP44 gas safety certificate — a commercial LPG inspection covering your regulator, pipework, appliance connections, and gas shut-off valve. Most event organisers and market managers ask to see a valid CP44 before allowing you to trade.
Your LPG cylinders should be stored in a ventilated external locker or cage, secured upright, and connected with rated hose and fittings. Never mix propane and butane in your setup — all commercial mobile catering appliances run on propane at 37 mbar, and butane is not suitable for UK outdoor use in cold weather.
Choosing the Right Supplier
When buying mobile catering equipment, look for a supplier that stocks equipment specifically rated for LPG propane commercial use — not domestic or patio appliances repurposed for catering. Equipment should come with installation documentation and ideally a compliance pack to support your CP44 inspection.
Browse the full range of mobile catering appliances — fryers, griddles, bain maries, coffee machines, water boilers, and generators, all sourced specifically for UK mobile catering operators.
Mobile Catering Equipment FAQ
What equipment do I need to start a mobile catering business in the UK?
The essential equipment for a mobile catering business includes an LPG cooking appliance (fryer, griddle, or hob), a gas water boiler or urn, a portable hand wash station, adequate refrigeration, and an LPG or petrol generator for power. You will also need a valid CP44 gas safety certificate before trading at most events and markets. The exact kit list depends on your menu — a burger van needs different equipment to a mobile coffee business.
What gas does mobile catering equipment run on?
All commercial mobile catering equipment runs on propane LPG at 37 mbar. Propane is the correct gas for outdoor mobile catering in the UK — it vaporises reliably in cold weather, which butane does not. Butane is for domestic, patio, and leisure use only and should not be used on commercial catering appliances.
Do I need a gas safety certificate for a mobile catering unit?
Yes — a CP44 gas safety certificate is commonly required before trading at events, markets, and public pitches in the UK. The CP44 is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer following an inspection of your LPG installation, covering pipework, appliances, regulators, and shut-off valves. Most event organisers and local councils ask to see a valid CP44 as part of their trader application process.
How much does it cost to equip a mobile catering unit?
A basic mobile catering equipment setup typically costs between £2,000 and £8,000 depending on menu requirements, equipment quality, and whether you buy new or used. A single LPG countertop fryer costs £300–£700, a commercial LPG urn £200–£400, a portable hand wash station £150–£400, and an LPG generator £500–£1,500. Coffee machine setups cost more — a dual fuel espresso machine starts from around £1,500–£3,000.
What size generator do I need for a mobile catering van?
A 3–5kW LPG generator is sufficient for most mobile catering setups running a fridge, lighting, a card reader, and small appliances. If you run a coffee machine with an electric element, large display fridges, or multiple electric appliances simultaneously, a 7–8kW generator is a better starting point. An inverter generator is worth the extra cost if you need clean power for sensitive electronics like EPOS systems or coffee machine controls.
Can I use domestic kitchen appliances in a catering van?
No — domestic appliances are not suitable for commercial mobile catering use. They are not rated for continuous commercial output, will not pass a CP44 gas safety inspection, and are not designed for the vibration and movement of a mobile unit. All cooking, heating, and gas appliances on a catering van or trailer should be commercial-grade models rated for LPG propane use.
Where can I buy mobile catering equipment in the UK?
Mobile catering equipment — including LPG fryers, griddles, bain maries, coffee machines, water boilers, hand wash stations, and generators — is available from specialist suppliers who stock kit rated specifically for commercial LPG use. Buying from a specialist supplier means the equipment comes with appropriate documentation to support your CP44 gas safety inspection and event organiser checks.