There are certain situations when you need a mobile kitchen.  They come in a wide variety of sizes, from small, compact units to huge setups that can feed thousands of people.  Here are some of the situations that require the use of a mobile kitchen:

• Company and special events
• Food trucks and vendors
• Disaster relief:  Workers and volunteers need to be fed
• Renovations:  For when you can’t shut down your kitchen while you renovate
• Fairs and festivals
• Military camps
• Trade shows
• Temporary health care units and hospitals

Mobile Kitchens for Sale

While many people rent a mobile kitchen, there are many situations when you should buy one.  The most common reason why people buy one is because they want to use it for business.  A mobile kitchen rental is fine, but if you are going to use it more than a few times, it easily makes sense to buy one.  People all over the world have successful businesses that are run out of mobile kitchens.  If you don’t have a lot of starting capital, it is fairly easy to find a used mobile kitchen for sale.  People sell them every day, all over the world, which means that you don’t have to pay top dollar for used mobile kitchens, and can start your business with less money.

Mobile Kitchen Rentals

If you just need a mobile kitchen for one situation, you should definitely rent one.  Mobile kitchen rentals are available worldwide, and they vary from small-scale operations that rent vending trucks to large scale businesses that can customize and deliver an on-site mobile kitchen that is literally big enough to feed an army.

Mobile Kitchen Rental Costs

It is a given that the rental costs are going to vary depending on your needs, the location, and the company you choose.  Here are a few guidelines to think about:  It costs a lot to deliver and return a mobile kitchen to its location, so the prices for one day or a few days are going to be expensive.  All rental companies should give steep discounts for weekly or monthly rentals.  It is often the same price to rent a unit for a month as it is for only a few days.  Small kitchen trucks can be rented for as little as $150 per day, depending on the condition, size and intended use of the truck.  Large kitchen trailers cost $2,000 or more per day, but monthly rentals start at around $6,000 and go up from there, depending on the size and features.

Types of Mobile Kitchens

There are two basic types of mobile kitchens.  The first kind is the mobile kitchen truck.  This type of unit is an all-in-one cooking machine.  You can just drive it to wherever it is needed, and then park it and get to work.  Mobile kitchen trucks are good for smaller operations and food vendors.  The sides of the trucks generally open and awnings can be erected as well.  They are run by generators that power the stoves, grills, bar fridge, and other appliances.  These trucks can be custom made by a number of manufacturers, and are the easiest to find used.

The second type is the mobile kitchen trailer.  When you need to feed a lot of people at the same time, a truck usually just isn’t going to cut it.  Mobile kitchen trailers are the solution to large scale cooking in locations that don’t have permanent facilities.  There are different types of kitchen trailers, each specializing in a different area.  Here are some of the most common mobile kitchen trailers that are available.

• All-in-one mobile trailers:  Have everything you need in one unit to cook basic meals
• Bakery production trailers
• Food preparation trailers
• Dishwashing units
• Refrigeration and freezer trailers:  You can get them separately or together.

These mobile kitchen trailers are also called modular kitchens because you can mix and match them to fulfill your needs.  You can get any number of different mobile kitchen units and put them together to meet your demands.

Tags: Mobile Kitchens, Outdoor Kitchens by Jeffrey
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You might have heard this term before, but not really understood what it really means.  A modular kitchen can best be described as individual pieces that fit together to create a complete kitchen.  Many people simply go to a large home supply store such as the Home Depot or one like it and purchase individual items until they have everything they need.  Although there is nothing inherently wrong with designing your kitchen this way, there is a good chance that when you put everything together, you will find a few problems.  One problem may be that the sizes of your cabinets and large appliances differ too much, resulting in items sticking out too far.  Another problem that arises is the colors don’t match each other very well.
As I type this article from the dining room table of a friend’s house, I can see a few areas in the kitchen that weren’t thought out very well.  The stove, for example, sticks out about 5 inches past the surrounding counters and is a color that doesn’t match its surroundings.  The refrigerator is a bit clunky looking and awkward as well, which is most likely the result of a purchase without much thought of integration.  Millions of homes are designed like this, but with just a little bit of planning and thinking, you can have a kitchen where each individual unit fits together like a puzzle and looks great together.  Modular kitchen designs are meant to provide this type of integration.

Modular Kitchen Design

The best way to think about modular kitchens is by either looking at pictures in books or on the internet to get an initial idea about the styles you are interested in.  The Ikea website has lots of great modular kitchen photos that can really get your ideas flowing. When you know what you want, the next step is to visit a kitchen showroom.  These are abundant in almost every modern town and city in the world these days.  With a basic design in mind, you will be able to piece together a kitchen that matches in all aspects:  dimensions, color, and style.  Keep in mind that you can get ideas for designing a bar as well.  Items like the stools, counter and sink, and the bar fridge should all match each other.

Modular Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinetry makes up such a large percentage of most kitchens that consideration of these units is absolutely crucial.  The cabinets that you choose will set the look and feel of your kitchen, so you will want to take your time at this step.  Most large kitchen showrooms will have a large number of modular kitchen units so that you can piece together a complete design that you are satisfied with.

Tags: Counters, Kitchen Cabinets, Kitchen Furniture by Jeffrey
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In order to get your new or remodeled kitchen to look its best, a lot of thought and consideration needs to go into the planning phase.  Modular kitchens are defined as a kitchen that has all of the pieces integrate together to form a complete unit that matches.  Before you head out to a kitchen showroom, it is a great idea to take a look at modular kitchen photos, either online or from books.  You can find a lot of kitchen design books either at the library or a large bookstore that should give you plenty of ideas that you might not have previously considered.  Kitchen showrooms have lots of ideas as well, but there is never enough space to show as much as you can see in a book or on the internet.

After you have taken a look at some modular kitchen pictures and have an idea about what you like, the next step is to see a showroom to get an idea of your choices. Keep in mind that you will need to bring the dimensions of your kitchen area with you if you want to be able to get the most out of your visit.  Use a tape measure and write down the room dimensions, including both the floor, the height of the ceiling, and any obstacles that might be in the way.
Your modular kitchen will fit together to include units such as the refrigerator, range oven, dishwasher, microwave, and any other large appliances you want to include.  The modular kitchen cabinets that you choose to incorporate into your design will need to fit with the appliances.  Large units like refrigerators and range ovens need to be the same dimensions as the counter top and lower cabinets to avoid odd looking appliances that stick out too far.   One final point to consider is additional pieces of modular kitchen furniture.  These may include kitchen carts and islands, a kitchen pantry, or a bar fridge.  If you have a large space to fill, an island or a bar that is integrated into your kitchen design can make your house look fantastic.

Prices of Modular Kitchens

Many people think that completely customized kitchens cost a lot of money, but the truth is that modular kitchen designs don’t have to cost any more than other kitchens.  The reason for this is that a modular kitchen design incorporates everything together, which means you can often save a lot of money buy buying your cabinets and other items in bulk at one time.  If you were to purchase each unit individually, it would almost surely cost you quite a bit more money when all is said and done.  The family resource center website has more information on kitchens and other home items.

Tags: Kitchen Accessories, Kitchen Cabinets, Kitchen Furniture by Jeffrey
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