E-Z Built Hot Dog Cart

Well snugpups I now have the ez built hot dog cart plans and dvd's in hand. Steve gives you a list of everything you need, where to get it, plus schematics for the health dept. which are require in my area. I also reviewed the dvd's and if you can put in a screw and cut some wood you will easily be able to built this cart. The dvd is very thorough and covers everything in quite detail as to how to build this cart. Steve Schaible has also been easy to deal with, has answered any questions I have had about this cart and seems to be a good all around good guy.  I plan on building my cart in the near future and have confidence with the information I now have I will be successful.

I want to build my own cart because of the cost of new ones is pricey. But I also read that some health dept prohibits the use of materials that will absorb grease etc. This would eliminate the use of wood for any surfaces etc. Does anyone have any experience with this issue? I will be building mine out of welded metal(frame and boxes and some aluminum and stainless and will still be much,much cheaper than a prebuilt/purchased one and it will be a custom one built with what I want and where I want it.I may purchase the plans for some pointers but most all the equipment,burners,valves,sinks,latches can all be purchased online. I will get the links and add them.
 
http://www.vendog.com/replacement-parts/

I can get those parts at my store in town alot cheaper then that.

David built his cart over the winter from an old utility trailer we had & no longer needed.  He cut down the trailer & rewelded it back together, welded together a metal frame for the cabinet and skinned it with aluminum sheets from an old Eagle 05 bus that we scrapped.  Our cart is different from the ones sold in that David stands inside the cart  on the decking. We store most of the stuff required to set up the cart in the trailer (the reason he built it). He built a sneeze guard (which the health inspector said we didn't need) out of plexiglass & PVC lattice trim.  We use 6 hour sterno cans to heat our water & cook the dogs/sausages as well as steam the buns.  David steams about 4 to 6 buns at a time on the cart.  For bigger events, we built a steam table out of an old SS commercial trash can insert we had lying around.  We can steam 15 buns at a time and it's powered by sterno cans as well.  I will try to take pics of the back side of the cart but here's the front.  The yellow paint really attracts attention.  http://darksilverblade.deviantart.com/art/Dad-s-Hotdog-Cart-121138633

More pic's http://photobucket.com/DavidsHotDogCart  I will try to get more of the cart fully set up on Monday.

BigSlicks


I can get those parts at my store in town alot cheaper then that.

 I know you can get the stuff cheaper this is only one link I ran across I have been doing alot more searching and found several others.You can actually get most at harbor freight and other home stores including the trailer. You can use one of there two burner propane stoves $40 for most all of the components for the heating system  etc. One thing I would like to find cheaper are the steam pans and lids,they are pretty pricey.Any ideas on the sinks We need 3 here for HD.
 
I just found this one that fits the bill,they also have steam pans at very good prices!!!! 
http://www.kitchensupplydirect.com/002-120653.html

I Figured out that the best way to build a good cart, is to first, see what parts you can find either cheap, or through salvage, this includes the burner box, and the trailer, when you have that much, then you can go to say, Sams Club, buy your box to create the heatwell where your steel cambros will fit.
 Once you have all the parts, get on your computer, and design the basic structure. You can use a variety of different programs to do this, I use MS Paint myself.

   Now that you have all the basic parts, experiment, by making a basic box, fit all the pieces into the box, in the fasion that your cart will be, this way, you can make changes in the design if necessary. Once you have an idea what the cart will look like, begin building the cart frame onto the trailer. then, place the heatwell, burner box, and cooler into the framework to fit.
If everything looks good, remove the parts, and begin enclosing the frame with the skin, either metal sheeting, or plywood, if you use plywood, food safety requires that you paint the box both inside, and out. Cut the openings where the heatwell, cooler, and umbrella are to go, Access doors are beneficial to get to the Propane line, and to make certain that there are no leaks in either the heatwell, or the Gas line. If the cart is towable, some states require taillights.

 If you like, I have some detailed images of different carts, as well as some of my own designs, if anyone is interested.

Tinpan Chuck
 

 If you like, I have some detailed images of different carts, as well as some of my own designs, if anyone is interested.

I know you posted this a whie back but I am interested in different carts and designs for carts. I also have a need to know what kind of BTUs are needed for a good steam table/cart. I just want to know that I'll have plenty of heat when needed but don't want to melt down the cart.