steaming hot dogs

Great site!

Guys, I am new to the business and hope you can answer me a few questions?

My wife inherited a hot dog cart believe it or not and will be using it shortly for the very 1st time. It is a steamer.

When do you know dogs are ready?
Is there a temperature that should be reached? She purchased a thermostat that "reads" the temperature of the dog by sticking it into the dog, I guess.

I am assuming that spicy chicken dogs, polish dogs, vienna dogs and everything else that has "dogs" in it's description can be steamed, but what about sausages? Can sausages be steamed?

I am in Southern California and don't even know if they appreciate sauerkraut but we must learn, can that be steamed or how would you prepare?

I have read some of the site and got a fairly good idea regarding steaming buns and how to not get them soggy or hard.

Costco, Smart and Final, Restaurant Depot(Jetro) and Sam's club are what I have to work with, any good suggestions as which dogs or buns to buy there?

Appreciate all your answer's.

Tony

welcome to roadfood bigtony

Steaming is the slowest method of heating. Guess it will really depend on the quantity you place in the steamer. Here's some info that may help ya: http://www.kentqualityfoods.com/cooking.htm

Costco has sabretts and Hebrew National,Ball Park and Thumanns

Usually you would heat the dogs to at least 135 degrees (they're pre-cooked) in a water pan in the cart and then place them in the steam to keep them warm. If you just try to steam them until hot enough, you might get caught short and have to wait too long for them to steam up to temp. I'd recommend getting all the regs from your local health department first, or better yet, take a Safe-Serv course. There's a lot more to it than just parking the cart somewhere and firing up the burners. You have health regulations, zoning regulations, licensing regulations, insurance regulations and an inspection to make sure that the cart meets the local regs. You have some homework to do first.

Thank you all!

My wife is learning this craft at a location where no one will come to inspect seems that if a non profit group is involved they leave you pretty much alone. It is a quiet location so ideal not to get overwhelmed and ideal to try some things. Monday did all right, everyone survived and no complaints, dogs did take a little long to get done so we are considering grilling first or now do as kensandyeggo mentioned.

Also got a suggestion that we might be able to adjust and increase the propane flow to our burners, increased flow might heat up quicker? I probably should contact the cart manufacturer to see if that would help.

Today, Tuesday. set for another day of learning and experimenting however wife brought everything except left hot dogs at home.lol.

quote:

Originally posted by BigTony

My wife is learning this craft at a location where no one will come to inspect seems that if a non profit group is involved they leave you pretty much alone. It is a quiet location so ideal not to get overwhelmed and ideal to try some things. Monday did all right, everyone survived and no complaints, dogs did take a little long to get done so we are considering grilling first or now do as kensandyeggo mentioned.

Also got a suggestion that we might be able to adjust and increase the propane flow to our burners, increased flow might heat up quicker? I probably should contact the cart manufacturer to see if that would help.

Today, Tuesday. set for another day of learning and experimenting however wife brought everything except left hot dogs at home.lol.

Tony.. This is not a game to avoid the health department. It's part of the food service lifestyle, be in the city or back woods. Granted there are some outlaws out there, and I cross my fingers they at least follow the regs. When the inspector steps into my place, I never had to shudder, let him or her walk about their business. I never have anything to hide (other then the ashtray in the mop closet). And believe me, when you think no one will inspect, you'll be darn surprised!

"My wife is learning this craft at a location where no one will come to inspect seems that if a non profit group is involved they leave you pretty much alone."


This is food your dealing with so you do not want to serve your dogs unless you have insurance. It isn't worth losing your house over few couple dozen hot dogs.