Are you remodeling your food truck and you are wondering what size of hot water heater to use? If YES, here are the 5 best water heaters for food trucks. A functional water system is a critical part of a standard food truck.
In fact, the water system’s built-in holding tank in any truck is expected to be FDA approved before it can pass inspection. Thankfully, water tanks in most food trucks today offer the same quality as those found in a restaurant sink.
Note that having a reliable source of running water is very crucial to the daily running of any food business. For a food truck, all the hot water it requires is expected to be generated right there in the vehicle. Hot water is used during and after cooking to clean and sanitize dirty utensils. The water system in any food truck generates hot water through a water heater.
What is the Right Size of Water Heater to Use?
A food truck’s water heater will be powered by electricity. It simply entails that they are easy to install and efficient in production. Water reservoirs could, however, be a problem if you settle for one that is not big enough to supply the required quantity of water.
If your electricity source is 120V and 20 amps maximum, which is common in RVs, food trucks, boats, and outdoor bars, then any/every tankless water heater will heat your Incoming Water Temperature by about 33°F at a flow rate of 0.5 GPM.
And if the truck’s sink flows faster than 0.5 GPM, then the incoming water temperature increase will be proportionately less than 33°F.
With that said, there are newly developed systems that supply hot water on demand. They are efficient and will continue to deliver hot water as long as your fresh water tank doesn’t run dry. Also, note that some water heaters are designed to run on gas.
Gas-powered systems such as this have their merits as well as their disadvantages. Note that a gas water heater will lighten the electrical load on your generator but will leave you with a pollution problem.
In addition, you will need a vent outside the truck to channel out the dangerous carbon monoxide fumes being generated. Gas water heaters are fast at heating water up but require inspectors to come to check them out occasionally.
Best Water Heater for Food Truck
The right water heaters for Food Trucks are the ones that are powerful enough to keep the truck hot water at the ideal temperature and compact enough to be portable. Therefore, it makes it a daunting task to find the right water heater for your food truck.
After all, you also have to consider how much water you use in a single setting, how much extra you may need for high traffic times, and much more. Nonetheless, among these top hot water heaters, you’re sure to find the perfect one for your food truck.
1. Camplux 5L 1.32 GPM Propane Tankless Hot Water Heater
The Camplux 5-litre propane tankless water heater is a compact and easy-to-use hot water heater equipped with all of the bells and whistles you could need for a Food truck. Note that this unit mounts directly on a Truck wall and comes with two exterior hoses.
One hose lets you hook up to a propane cylinder from a distance, and the other is attached to a showerhead configuration for easy use.
Note that this whole unit comes with a collapsible handle on top as well; making sure you can use it to move your water heater and then pack it away whenever you set up shop. In addition, this hot water heater is controlled with two simple temperature knobs — one for hot water and one for cold.
It can also spray up to 1.32 gallons of water per minute, which gives you a huge supply of hot water for any demand! The Camplux 5-litre propane water heater is CSA approved for peace of mind. Also note that it comes with a flame failure shutoff, anti-freezing protection, and oxygen depletion shutoff for the absolute best safety features.
2. Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Hot Water Heater
The Bosch electric mini-tank water heater is a unique heater that combines easy portability with a full reservoir tank! This unit comes with a complete 4 – gallon tank that reduces the wait time to produce hot water from a tankless unit.
Additionally, with a simple 110V plug, this electric hot water heater is much safer than a gas one that requires you to haul a full tank of combustible propane with you. This heater measures 13 ¾” x 13 ¾”, and it gives the heater such a small footprint that it can fit on your floor, wall, or shelf to use.
The whole unit is controlled with a simple knob, and all you need is a water hook-up to get started. In addition, for outstanding insulation, the interior of this water heater is made of glass.
Note that this makes it slightly more fragile, but once you have the unit in one constant place in your food truck you won’t have to move it unless you’re cleaning. With ultra-short wait times, this unit can fill two standard-sized bowl sinks in one sitting. Note that this produces plenty of hot water to clean your dishes, equipment, and anything else you need all in one go.
3. Camplux 10L 2.64 Tankless Hot Water Heater
The Camplux 10-litre high capacity tankless water heater is renowned as one of the biggest units you can find to use in a Food Truck.
This hot water heater features a 10-litre capacity and produces water at 2.64 gallons per minute. Combined, that creates an ultra-powerful hot water heater that you can use for just about any task! Also, note that this unit connects effortlessly to your propane tank.
Also note that the stainless steel exterior protects it from rust and corrosion, and its flat profile makes it easy to install on any truck wall. In this heater, two simple knobs control temperature, and you always see exactly how hot your heater gets, thanks to its external digital readout.
Even though this portable water heater is often used for small homes or apartments, it is also a great addition for any high-traffic truck. It also provides you with an enormous reserve of hot water for just about any task you could need. Thankfully, you know you’re getting quality when you shell out for such a robust unit.
4. Ridgeyard 12L LPG Gas Hot Water Heater Propane Tankless
The Ridgeyard 12-liter tankless hot water heater is a convenient, cost-effective, and simple solution to keeping hot water on hand in your food truck. Have it in mind that this hot water heater comes with a simple box design that measures 13 3/8” x 23 ¼”, which is small enough to fit in just about any truck or trailer.
It can heat up to 3.2 gallons per minute, and it is powered entirely by liquid Propane. Also, aside from the actual heater itself, this unit comes complete with simple battery ignition (two D cell batteries required), a stainless steel exterior, and an entire showerhead configuration.
Also, note that the whole unit is controlled with three simple knobs and an LCD readout that shows you the current temperature inside the heater. It also automatically turns off when it goes over 165 degrees Fahrenheit (75 Celsius).
This means that you can have it in any truck without worrying about it damaging the other appliances in your stand. This heater is ideal for hot-washing your other appliances or washing steel, the Ridgeyard tankless hot water heater is the most affordable and convenient solution to properly outfitting your concession trailer.
Conclusion
Hot water is used during and after cooking to clean and sanitize dirty utensils. The water system in any food truck generates hot water through a water heater. The right hot water heaters for Food Trucks are the ones that are powerful enough to keep the truck hot water at the ideal temperature and compact enough to be portable.
Electric tankless water heaters are 99 percent efficient. So if one tankless model, which uses 120V and 20 amps, can’t make enough hot water, then another manufacturer or tankless model will.