dog preparation

so here is the question,,,,
hot dog with a casing....grill or "boil"?

my feeling is that a dog with a casing would be better grilled, and that using a hot water cooking is best for skinless dogs.
what do you think?

NO BOIL..
I hate boiled dogs....I love that "snap"!
Just MHO...

DJ, if you're referring to using that nice 325 cart, boiling's the way to go. It's quick, fast, with little effort. Drop the dogs into hot water and wait for them to float. Are you planning on char grilling? To properly char grill a natural casing, the ends should be cross cut. I sell boiled skinless dogs. Once and a while, I'll sell a natural casing 8/1. They have a nice "snap" that little kids can chew. I stay away from 4/1 & 5/1 natural casings since they have a tougher skin. However, larger natural casings taste better when char grilled. Another consideration is cost. Natural casing are more expensive. When I'm at home, it's char grilling all the way.

CSD
Born in Chicago
Escaped to Wisconsin
Selling Vienna Beef hot dogs & Polish

thanks all.
yes i am going to use the 325 and hot water/beerto "cook" them in.{ a bit more flavor}
.
i was just thinking about it today, and thought that a cased dog might be tougher when "bioled" as opposed to grilling.

A natural casing dog isn't tougher when boiled. Natural casings don't do well if they have to sit in hot water for an extended period of time. A skinless can handle the extended stay much better. Beer is used to enhance the flavor of brats. I wouldn't use it for boiling dogs, since I'm serving to families with children.

CSD
Born in Chicago
Escaped to Wisconsin
Selling Vienna Beef hot dogs & Polish

Ya, I love the beer flavor in cooked dogs! But like CSD said, need to keep it family freindly. Plus you probably dont want that kid comming back in 20 years and smacking you over the head with a 40 ouncer blaming you for his addictions! ha ha... Throw a link or two of smoked sausage in the water for flavor.. Another one of CSD's great ideas!

as to putting beer in the water, the alchohol will disapate and no alchohol will be in the water, so there would be no problem re: children

I'd check with my health inspector first, just to be on the legal side. I understand about the concept of alcohol dissipation in cooking. While I have nothing against beer, especially living in Wisconsin, the kid issue is my concern. Merkt's makes a spreadable cheddar beer cheese, containing real beer. We wanted to serve a beer cheese dog during football season one year. The health department didn't agree.

CSD-Happy as a clam, right where I am, cause I'm a cheesehead in beer town
Born in Chicago
Escaped to Wisconsin
Selling Vienna Beef dogs/Polish

have you contacted the co. that make that sauce to see what the actual % of alcahol is in that spread?

No, we never did. Our dog sales continue to increase just fine with the original Chicago condiments. We've tried cheddar cheese, chili, and chili/cheese. The authentic Chicago style dog still sold the best. No need to fix something til it's broke. As Uncle Vic always says, "keep it simple."

Best of luck

CSD
Born in Chicago
Escaped to Wisconsin
Selling Vienna Beef dogs/Polish

quote:

Originally posted by djtomatoe

as to putting beer in the water, the alchohol will disapate and no alchohol will be in the water, so there would be no problem re: children

That's not true. Even high-heat cooking will only get rid of 97 percent of any alcohol.

I wouldnt even worry about the percents... KIDS involved.. Why even mess with it?