Food Truck Equipment Maintenance Guide

Keep your equipment running efficiently with our comprehensive maintenance guide and schedules.

Preventive Maintenance Benefits

Why Regular Maintenance Matters

  • • Extends equipment lifespan by 30-50%
  • • Reduces unexpected breakdowns and downtime
  • • Maintains food safety and quality standards
  • • Keeps warranty coverage valid
  • • Improves energy efficiency and reduces costs

Daily Tasks

  • • Clean cooking surfaces
  • • Check temperatures
  • • Inspect for damage
  • • Clean filters
  • • Test safety systems

Weekly Tasks

  • • Deep clean equipment
  • • Calibrate thermometers
  • • Check electrical connections
  • • Inspect hoses and seals
  • • Test emergency shutoffs

Monthly Tasks

  • • Professional inspections
  • • Replace worn parts
  • • Update maintenance logs
  • • Test fire suppression
  • • Service generators

Equipment-Specific Maintenance

Griddles & Flat Tops

Daily Care:

  • • Season cooking surface
  • • Clean grease traps
  • • Check gas connections
  • • Verify temperature accuracy

Weekly Care:

  • • Deep clean burner assemblies
  • • Inspect ignition systems
  • • Check for warping or damage
  • • Clean exterior surfaces

Refrigeration Equipment

Daily Care:

  • • Monitor temperatures
  • • Clean door seals
  • • Check drainage
  • • Organize contents properly

Monthly Care:

  • • Clean condenser coils
  • • Check refrigerant levels
  • • Inspect electrical components
  • • Replace air filters

Deep Fryers

Daily Care:

  • • Filter oil regularly
  • • Clean baskets and utensils
  • • Check oil quality
  • • Empty crumb trays

Weekly Care:

  • • Deep clean vat
  • • Replace oil completely
  • • Clean heating elements
  • • Check gas lines and valves

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Electrical Problems

Equipment won't start

Check power connections, circuit breakers, and fuses

Intermittent operation

Inspect loose connections and worn switches

Gas System Issues

Low flame or no ignition

Check gas supply, clean burner ports, inspect ignition system

Yellow flames

Adjust air mixture, clean burner assembly

Maintenance Schedule Template

EquipmentDailyWeeklyMonthly
GriddleClean, season surfaceDeep clean burnersProfessional inspection
FryerFilter oil, clean basketsChange oil, clean vatService heating elements
RefrigeratorCheck temps, clean sealsClean interior thoroughlyClean coils, check refrigerant