The popularity of street food has helped fuel rapid growth in the outdoor catering sector. According to Nationwide Caterers’ Association (NCASS), there are currently just under10,000 outdoor catering operators in the UK, running 13,000 outlets, consuming up to700,000 cylinders of LPG a year, with rapid growth in street catering attributed to seasonal markets, farmers’ markets and festivals.

LPG, or liquefied petroleum gas, is the perfect choice of fuel for outside caterers, giving the benefits of gas wherever it is needed. The controllable gas flame ensures that food is cooked to perfection and that the chef is always in control. Plus its portability means it can be used anywhere from a festival field, city centre to a beer garden. And the great news is, cylinders are easily available from stockists, DIY stores and garage forecourts, right across the country.

As a clean and green fuel, LPG today has emissions that are significantly less than a diesel generator, and noise levels are negligible too, making it not only good news for the environment but for workers too.

With a strategy for the industry to be 100% renewable by 2040 with a “drop in” solution for Renewable liquid Gases (RLGs), including bio LPG and renewable dimethyl ether (rDME), are suitable alternatives to decarbonise the cylinder industry using the existing stock of cylinders.

As the £1.3bn sector looks forward to its peak summer season with festivals and outdoor events catering to all tastes.

Tom’s Kitchen

Street food vendor, Tom’s Kitchen, swapped its petrol generator for an LPG Green gear model, which is compatible to switch to RLG and is now saving the business 60% on fuel costs. It has also made the food truck run cleaner and greener and operate more efficiently and quietly.

“A consistent and reliable power source is essential for my business,” says owner, Metin Sonmez. “With my previous generator, the petrol would run out and then my fridge freezer would stop working. This not only negatively impacted my business, but my customers too. After just one year, it broke down completely and I needed a replacement."

"I opted for an LPG model because it made better business sense. Within a matter of weeks, I was making fuel cost savings of around 60%, which has made a major difference to my bottom line – my annual running costs have now dropped from £9,779 to £3,933."

“The cost of the generator paid for itself within five weeks and it keeps going for days on end, so I never have to worry about running out of power when I need it most. My customers are happier too!”

Read the full case story here!

Visit Liquid Gas UK at stand K96 on 10-11 th October 2023. Alternatively, speak to your LPG supplier or visit liquidgasuk.org to learn more about RLGs.