cart manual

Hot Dog Cart Owners Manual and Business Guide
Cart set up.
Handles – these can be found in the cool box if not on the cart. The handles are attached to the cart
and fixed in to place with the bolts provided. It is always worth carrying the correct size of spanner
in the cart in case any of the handles work loose (10mm) although this has never happened you
don’t want to be caught out. The handles are designed to push and pull the cart, not to lift the cart.
The shelf box is attached to the cart via the four clips. All four clips can be locked if required but
this is not essential for normal use, only if you feel someone would unclip the box (be careful when
people have been drinking) or attempt to steel the box. If the box is unclipped when the umbrella is
in use it could fall so take out the umbrella first.
The perspex doors if being used should be fitted to the box BEFORE it is put on the cart. This is
done be putting the box on its back and introducing the doors from underneath. One door should be
fitted to each rail with the handles towards the sides of the box. Once the box is attached to the cart
the doors will be secure.
The umbrella is attached to the cart once opened. Use the screws found on the umbrella, and
holding tube of the cart box, to secure the umbrella. The umbrella will blow open from its arms in
strong wind, it is designed to do this rather than blow the cart over. In very strong wind it is better
not to use the umbrella.
Sink – The sink is not welded in place, so it can be replaced or removed if needed. Make sure the
blue waste pipe is connected and is fed in to the waste tank which can be placed either in or outside
the cart. The clean water pipe can must be secured to the tap with a hose clip. The water pipe from
the pump to the tap must also be secured by a clamp at the pump end as this part of the pipe is under
pressure when in use. The pump is operated via the red button on the side of the sink and works by
detecting the pressure of water against the tap, so it can be left on and the tap can be used as normal
although I tend to leave the tap open and use the switch to turn the water on and off rather than the
tap.
The clean water tank should be left in the cart. It can be replaced with a large Thermos flask if
you require hot water.
When transporting the cart it can be better to remove the tap, and don’t forget to empty the waist
water to avoid any spillage.
12v Battery. This is located in the side store to the right under the cool-box. There is a small area
made to hold the battery and to stop it sliding about when the cart is on the move. The battery can
be charged with a normal battery charger when required. The wires to the pump are attached red +
black/blue - . I have attached small crocodile clips to the wires of my cart to make changing the
battery faster when out and about.
Gas
NOTE: Gas is highly flammable, all local safety precautions must be followed. If you smell
gas do not attempt to light the cart burner, turn off at the bottle and move the cart to another
area and let the gas disperse, contact a qualified gas fitter if the problem is with the cart.
The gas bottle is placed in the holder which is welded to the cart body for safety. The cart uses very
little gas in normal operation so it is recommended you use the smallest bottle practical if you are
going to be mobile when selling, as the gas bottle makes up the majority of the carts weight.
Standard 8mm gas hose is used to connect the LPG bottle to the cart via a suitable adaptor. A hose
clip must be used to secure the hose to the cart and adaptor. The cart gas “male” hose connector is
located under the sink at the bottom left of the cart.
The copper pipes in the cart will deliver the gas to the burner, pilot and switch. The switch has
three positions. OFF, ON FULL, LOW. To start the burner make sure there is gas in the bottle, the
gas adaptor on the bottle is switched on and all the hoses are securely fastened in position. No open
flames or smoking should be used near a gas bottle.
Firstly OPEN THE LOWER DOOR under the burner, this should be left open when the burner is
in use to allow air to flow easily from the environment to the flame. Use the mirror provided to see
the burner ignite. The switch is pushed in and held in position then turned to the FULL position a ¼
turn anti clockwise, you will hear a click as the spark ignites the gas of the pilot which will in turn
ignite the main burner. Once the burner is lit the switch can be released and turned to the
appropriate setting, either ON FULL, LOW or OFF if required. The cart will maintain a safe
temperature for keeping hot dogs hot without the burner in constant use. Normal practise is to bring
the water temperature up to about 80c (min70c), do not boil, then let the dogs stand for about
10mins depending on the dog (read the manufacturers recommendation for the type of dog used) the
water will maintain its temperature for 20mins + only requiring the occasional re heat. The lower
door can be closed when the burner is not in use to help maintain the temperature, remember to
open when using the burner. I often put some bread in the lower store area in winter to warm it
before use.
IMPORTANT
• THE LOWER DOOR UNDER THE BURNER MUST BE OPNE WHEN IN USE.
• DO NOT MOVE THE CART WITH THE BURNER IN USE OR VERY HOT WATER IN
THE DISHES.
• TURN OFF THE GAS AT THE BOTTLE WHEN MOVING OR TRANSPORTING THE
CART
Wheels should be checked daily for pressure and should feel firm to the touch. The wheels should
be cleaned and oiled at regular intervals to insure good operation.
The cool box can be used to store what ever is required. If you wish to store ice it is better to do so
in bags as it makes it much easier to empty one the ice melts.
Cleaning the cart.
The carts are stainless steel. Normal grease can be removed with hot soap and water with a course
pad if needed. Once clean and dry I would recommend using a car wax to protect and polish the
cart. No food should be prepared on the cart body. Only in the dishes. I also use a small steel bread
tray.
If you require a mirror finish to the cart top a polishing mop can be attached to a power drill and the
appropriate polish applied.
The juice from onions and other acidic foods will corrode the cart if it is not cleaned regularly. My
normal practice is to use a normal kitchen cleaner after each use and once a month give the cart a
hot wash and wax. I also apply oil (3in1 or WD40 type) to all the carts hinges.
The Bain Marie pans should be cleaned in accordance to your councils recommendations. I would
recommend getting a spare set for two day events as its much easier having another set and washing
everything when you get home from the event.
Cart tips
Lights and decorations will attract more people to the cart. The cart I use for fiestas and selling in
the local town has both lights and signs. The signs are just laminated prints that can be changed
depending on what I am selling. The lights are all LED 12v run from the battery the powers the
water pump. A small 12v motorbike battery should be used if you will be using the lights for a long
period or have a spare so the power can be switched over when needed.
The 12v LED light strips can be found for a few pounds on ebay. I also use a strip of LED caravan
white LED lights attached to the umbrella for general light.
I also have a moving LED message board, cost aprox 15-20 pounds of Ebay and is very eye
catching
See photos
notice the advertising leaflets and business cards on
top of the cart.
Places to sell:
OK so you have your cart, you need to start selling, so where do you go?
Well to start it can be a bit hit and miss, some places you think will do well don’t and visa versa, but
you will soon find out which are the places and events to sell and which are best left alone.
The hot dogs really appeal to the young and the drunk! So anywhere the is some night life or
sporting event will do very well.
Outside night clubs and pubs
Town centres on weekend nights
Any large sporting venue, you will find it hard to get inside but can sell out side on the street.
Cart hire at private parties birthdays and weddings can be a good money maker and is often an easy
few hours work. Lots of wedding websites about to advertise on.
Out side colleges, schools, uni at dinner time.
make sure people don´t put drinks on the cart, they will get knocked off and in to your food dishes!
Weekend events can be expensive to get in to but are worth the money for the right event. The VW
scene is very popular as are motorbike rallies which are running all year, look in the BSH mag
(back street heroes) both these can be cheep to get in to and have a good friendly crowd. Think
about what to sell at these events, people often want a meal deal so add soft drinks, crisp, cakes.
TOP TIP – if you get a perforated 1/1 or ½ you can steam heat croissants for breakfast.
Car boot sales can be a good place. A lot depends on the individual event.
Look in the paper to see when the local fairground is going to be in town, can be a great event, but
be careful about getting too close, the travellers don’t like competition!
Industrial estates can be good but you will find it hard to compete if there is already a food van
established on the same estate. Also, industrial estates need advertising or they will never know you
are there. You can go to large factories at specific times to cater just for them. I also have a gas
griddle which I put on top of the cool box. It means you cant use the cool box or move the cart very
easily but you can sell much more and if you have your van/car close by to keep extra stock it really
is worth the extra work. With a griddle you can sell bacon, sausage burgers, fried mushrooms and
eggs etc.
Advertise with the local council, schools, clubs and groups. Let them know you have a cart and
operator for hire.
Other uses for the cart
Ice cream – put a 1/1 x150mm in the freezer with water in it, put the 1/3 ice cream tubs or 1/6
which ever you buy, in the water and freeze. Your ready to go in the morning. Put the spare ice
cream in the cool box with lots of ice. Have a good range of toppings and toffee/sweets for sale in
the carts side dishes. Hang things off the umbrella, candy, crisps etc. Use the end box for your tubs,
spoons, napkins ect
Churros- A traditional Spanish desert made with a flour and water dough which is then pushed
through a churro machine in to very hot oil. I use a 1 x½ 150mm v.good quality ss dish for the oil
and another the same with water in it to put a ¼ or 1/6 dish with hot chocolate in, as you cant put
the chocolate directly on to the heat it has to be in another container in hot water. It can be a good
money maker but I personally use a different cart just for churros which has the churro machine
clamped in place and a larger burner. You will also need a frying thermometer and a scoop to get the
churros out of the oil.
Confectionary cart, just fill it with sweets!
Usefull links and info
The cart has a 1/1 space
with spacer bars you can use
any combination.
Wholesalers
www.Makro.co.uk
www.Costco.co.uk
www.booker.co.uk
Asda and some of the other supermarkets can be cheaper than the big wholesalers. Don’t go for any
big catering tins of 100 hot dogs unless you are sure you need to sell 100 hot dogs fast! Much better
to get jars of 8 if your not sure how many you will sell, or it could be 100 in the bin rather than just
8!
there are also a lot of other suppliers of hot dogs in the uk just look online
www.nisbets.co.uk good for equipment, spacer bars, gastronome dishes etc They have a free
catalogue.
Hot Dogs
When thinking of toppings think what will last, stay fresh and can be used again if refrigerated or
frozen. This way you will keep waist to a minimum.
The classic dogs
Chicago – tomatoes, onions, sweet pickles and a pepper.
New York – boiled onions and cheese
Chilly cheese – chilly sauce and cheese. TIP buy small tins of chilly sauce and heat them on a
griddle if you have one, easy and little waist.
Other dogs and toppings:
Coleslaw, fried onion bits, bacon bits, cheese, pineapple.
I also use a griddle to make:
Legutio Dog (always good to name a dog after the local town) mine has mushrooms pre cooked in
garlic and butter re heated in the grill with blue cheese.
Big Dog, 2 x dogs with a bit of everything put on there. You will have to get some take away boxes
to prep these as they are so big its hard to hold and eat.
English breakfast dog: dog, bacon, tomato and a fried egg!
Frankfurter: extra large German frankfurter on a ½ baguette.
The Burger Dog, 2 x dogs cut in half and put on a burger bun with bacon cheese and tomato.