It is all about safety
Food trucks will have different codes and regulations to meet over other specialty trucks. That is because the nature of the food truck is different than those of other vehicles.
There are different issues that food trucks face that the other specialty food trucks do not have to worry about. One of those issues is food safety and the other is fire. When you are cooking, fire always remains a possibility and you have to be prepared for that possibility.
Keep reading to find out about the best food truck walls you should install in your food truck.
What is the best material for food truck walls?
When designing and building your own food truck, you have to pay special attention to the cooking area. These areas need to have the right type of wall materials before your local health inspectors will approve the design of your food truck.
While you have choices of interior wall material, the best option will be kitchen-grade stainless steel. There are several reasons why this material is the best for your food truck.
First, it is safe to use. This material is easily sanitized keeping germs away from your food prep area as well as your food. It is easy to clean and there are no grooves where grease, dirt, or food particles can get trapped or leave germs or bacteria behind.
Plus, mold and mildew should not be able to grow on these walls. The second reason why kitchen-grade stainless steel is the best material to use is that it is non-flammable.
Most health and fire codes governing food trucks require that all wall materials should not be able to catch fire. This element rules out using wood even in small sections of your food truck.
The possibility of fire has to be 100% excluded from your design. A third reason is that stainless steel resists corrosion. It will last for a very long time without needing to be removed or replaced anytime soon.
Alternatives to kitchen-grade stainless steel
There are not that many alternative metals that can replace stainless steel in your food truck. With the health and fire regulations your food truck needs to meet it is best to play it safe and stick to kitchen-grade stainless steel.
But if that material is a little more expensive than your budget, the one option that may work would be food-grade aluminum. This metal is popular to use with cookware and other kitchen equipment.
The benefits that come with using this material over stainless steel are that it is as easy to maintain and clean, it is rust resistant, as well as durable but not as durable as stainless steel.
But what makes it so popular is that it is lighter and cheaper than kitchen-grade stainless steel. To make up for its lack of strength food-grade aluminum has manganese added to it.
Also, this grade of aluminum is also non-flammable and easy to clean. You can keep the germs and bacteria away just as easily as you can with stainless steel. Before you opt for this metal check with your local codes to make sure it is approved for food truck use.
Grades of kitchen-grade stainless steel
Not all kitchen-grade stainless steel is the same. There are different levels of this product and some are more affordable than others:
#1. The 200 series- is lower in quality and less corrosion resistant but it is cheaper than other grades and acceptable for food truck use
#2. The 304 series- the most common type found in kitchens and food trucks. It is very resistant to corrosion and rust except when it is exposed to a lot of salt. Because of the chromium and nickel in this series, the surface is very bright and shiny.
#3. The 316 series- the second most common type of kitchen-grade stainless steel. It has molybdenum added to it to help fight off rust caused by salt and other chemicals.
#4. The 430 series- is not as corrosion resistant as the previous options but it will do a good job in your food truck. The biggest drawback to this metal is that it is magnetic.
#5. The 440 series- this stainless steel option rivals if not surpasses any of the 300 series kitchen-grade stainless steel options. It has a high level of carbon in its alloy construction making it extremely hard as well as corrosion resistant.
Plus, the carbon makes this series the strongest stainless steel you can use. It holds up to wear and tear quite well
Protects against rodents
If you are using your food truck every day and have it stored till the weather gets warmer, the possibility of rodents making their homes in your food truck can be quite high.
The teeth of these rodents can chew through wood, plastic, fibers, and even some thinner metals. The way to keep them out of your food truck kitchen area is to use the best kitchen-grade stainless steel.
This metal is thick enough to withstand rodents’ teeth and keep those little creatures away from your expensive food truck kitchen. This metal is easy to install and you can use aluminum tubing for studs to secure this metal securely.
Keeping your food truck safe from rodents while at the same time meeting all pertinent codes is not that difficult when you use the right material and install it properly.
Kitchen-grade stainless steel may be expensive but it is the best food truck wall material. With its easy-to-clean and sanitized construction, your food truck should be healthy all the time.
If you need help in designing and constructing your food truck. Contact our company. We have the experience and the materials to make sure your food truck is safe, healthy, and meets all codes for your location.
Call us today so we can help you get moving in the right direction for food truck success. With our help, your food truck should be the best in the neighborhood.