How to cook a hot dog ???

We are new to the forum. We have been watching/reading this site for sometime and finally worked up the courage to ask a question because I haven't been able to find an answer.

My wife and I are semi-retired farmers that only run cattle. That means spring for us isn't real busy so we have purchased a 6x12' trailer and have arranged with several auctioneers to serve food at their sales. We will sell primarily hambugers, hot dogs and bratwurst along with homemade pies, chili and chicken& noodles. We have pushed the fact to the auctioneers that the food will be fresh and a lot will be homecooked. My question for you pros involve hot dogs. We will be using a propane grill at the back of the trailer, under a small canopy for the hambugers & brats. When cooking hot dogs is it best to use a roller grill, rotesssire, a steamer inside or use the outdoor grill. Which will give the best taste and appearance. Does a steamer help plump up the dog? We plan on using the all beef dogs from Sam's Club.

Thanks a lot from a newie to the forum and a newbie to the concession business. Any other tips and ideas will be appreciated. I hope someone can help us decide.

Mike S.

An extension cord and two forks is all you need.

http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/hotdogs

Good luck

konnie ... welcome to RF ... I suspect the cord and fork system will not workout for you ... Hopefully you'll get more input from the pros.

I love a grilled dog ... I'd not look too closely at the rotisserie.

Wow, You already have several auctioneers lined up ? Thats great, I keep checking on the auctioneers near me and they already have someone. To have several is quite an accomplishment. If your using an all beef, It will taste great just steamed..perhaps you could finish them on a open grill for the"show" (smell included) but keep in mind the time factor involved in "baby sitting" the grill and keeping the line moving- perhaps steaming 1st - then finishing on the grill for a little sizzle- but if you got em 10 deep in line - You don't want to spend 5 minutes a dog grilling, youll lose some customers. No perfect answer on this one. Good luck with the Auctions !

Well, the grill would make the tastiest dog, but as BigCab mentioned, it takes time. Quickest and most efficient way to go is the 'dirty water' route. Pan of water with hot dogs in them. You can heat them up quicker this way when demand calls, plus the 'flavors' of the dog will lurk in the water giving the dog some added taste later in the day. (If you go this route, and have a cheap brand of dog, they will start to discolor.. Add a shot of vinegar to the water to help with this problem). Steamed hot dogs are also good, but you have to tend to the water level from getting too low, plus the long wait while the dogs heat up. Best of luck there!

Get that smoke and smell in the air, par boil, then put on grill for looks, taste and advertizing!

Go to the forums click at the top of the page, scroll down the forums to - Hot Dogs, Sausages & Bratwursts. You'll get more info than you can stand!

quote:

Originally posted by bigcab

Wow, You already have several auctioneers lined up ? Thats great, I keep checking on the auctioneers near me and they already have someone. To have several is quite an accomplishment. If your using an all beef, It will taste great just steamed..perhaps you could finish them on a open grill for the"show" (smell included) but keep in mind the time factor involved in "baby sitting" the grill and keeping the line moving- perhaps steaming 1st - then finishing on the grill for a little sizzle- but if you got em 10 deep in line - You don't want to spend 5 minutes a dog grilling, youll lose some customers. No perfect answer on this one. Good luck with the Auctions !

Here in the Midwest most auctioneers don't have anybody selling food. They normally leave it up to whoever they are auctioneering for. They will usually get some church ladies, scout troop or school group to set up a card table and sell cold sandwiches, hot dogs and drinks poured out of a 2 litre bottle. Usually the food is gross. I have convinced the auctioneers it promotes their business to have a professional food trailer with good tasting food. In return I have agreed to donate 15 to 20% of my gross (depending on the amount) to whatever charity the people having the sale choose. The auctions are mostly farm or estate sales and only attended by around 200 or 250 people.

Don't know how it will work yet because auction season hasn't really started. All the local auctioneers say it sounds good to them and they will recommend it to the people who book with them.

I'll be running the grill and my wife will be serving inside the trailer so I will try to stay ahead of demand. What is the best way of keeping a grilled hamburger/hot dog warm. Should I figure on using a steam table and would that work better than a heat lamp? Thanks

Mike S.

quote:

Originally posted by Foodbme

Go to the forums click at the top of the page, scroll down the forums to - Hot Dogs, Sausages & Bratwursts. You'll get more info than you can stand!

Thanks.

Mike S.

Boil till they float, then into a steam tray, but not too many at a time or else they'll change color, not quickly, but they'll change, depends on the type of dog your cooking...