Cool find on ebay

I just bought an original 1920's coney island hotdog steamer,actually used on the boardwalk in Coney Island in the 1920's,on ebay.It is really sharp looking ,and a pretty rare piece of hotdog history I think.It has a complete copper tank with brass drain,and two stainless inside tanks (separate compartments)and two stainless fliptop lids.It is in really nice shape,the copper was a little tarnished,but a little polish and elbow grease brought it back to like new.The best part is the bidding only went to $51,I thought it would go to atleast a couple hundred dollars.I am setting up two waymatic concession trailers,one for pizza and one for hotdogs(Sabrett),hamburgers and fresh cut frys.I thought about using the steamer in the concession trailer,just the nostalgia factor is pretty cool,but I think I might just keep it for my collection,especially since there was no NSF codes back then,and some health inspectors get pretty picky if you don't have NSF stickers on all your equipment.I will try to post pictures soon.I dont know how to post pictures I have to get a hold of my stepson to do it for me.Just found this sight and love it.

wow festivalfood!...That sounds like a killer find!!!...Can't wait to see the pictures!....Tom B. in Eastern Kentucky!...Welcome to Roadfood!...This is a great little community as I have discovered!...Great people, good food,...Ain't that what life is all about!

Hey Thanks for the welcome.I think it is pretty cool too,and I can't believe there was only one other bidder for that price.I really like diner and old drive in nostalgia items.I owned a pizza place and a chicken and rib place ,both in NJ ,sold the last one about 5 years ago.Plan on opening another restaurant hopefully a 50's style drive in place.The problem is we're not sure where.We live in North East PA now and are debating were to move to.I am leaning towards the west(Denver or Reno) and my Fiance'wants to move south near her family (North Carolina or Virginia)so I am setting up two concession trailers I bought ,and will try them out next spring.I will try to post pictures when the stepson comes over,I have no idea how to do it.
Take Care!
Jim

quote:

Originally posted by festivalfood

I just bought an original 1920's coney island hotdog steamer,actually used on the boardwalk in Coney Island in the 1920's,on ebay.It is really sharp looking ,and a pretty rare piece of hotdog history I think.It has a complete copper tank with brass drain,and two stainless inside tanks (separate compartments)and two stainless fliptop lids.It is in really nice shape,the copper was a little tarnished,but a little polish and elbow grease brought it back to like new.The best part is the bidding only went to $51,I thought it would go to atleast a couple hundred dollars.I am setting up two waymatic concession trailers,one for pizza and one for hotdogs(Sabrett),hamburgers and fresh cut frys.I thought about using the steamer in the concession trailer,just the nostalgia factor is pretty cool,but I think I might just keep it for my collection,especially since there was no NSF codes back then,and some health inspectors get pretty picky if you don't have NSF stickers on all your equipment.I will try to post pictures soon.I dont know how to post pictures I have to get a hold of my stepson to do it for me.Just found this sight and love it.

Killer Find there! Ya, I doubt them Health Inspectors would allow its use nowday, but it's worth a shot! Just add a URL addy to your post where the pics are located! Us Hot Dog Fanatics would love to see this slice of history!

Hi,

I have a personal Coney Island Electric Hotdog Steamer (it's a personal steamer and only steams 2 hotdogs at a time). It's from around 1930 or 1940.

I'm trying to sell it and getting ready to list it on ebay, but have not listed it yet. I'm still doing research on it.

Does anyone have any information about these type of steamers, age, price, what precisely they were used for, popularity?

Any takers on this site???

Any information you can provide would be great!!

Thanks
Kathy

Hi everyone,
Here is a question. Do you remember back in the old days at the ballpark, the hot dog vendors carried a box looking contraption that had a strap that went around they're necks ? They used to walk up and down the isles selling delicious hot dogs. I think they were like steamers but I am not sure. I would like any info on this item if you have any. I cannot even remember what they were called.
Thanks

Hey Festival can you send me another email?