Monday, October 14, 2013

Hot Dog Warmer

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Hot Dog Warmer

Cooks up to 8 hot dogs at a time
5 non-stick rollers rotate continuously for even cooking
Removable rollers and drip tray for easy cleaning
Adjustable heat controls
Top-mounted bun warmer

Hot Dog Warmer

The Nostalgia Electrics HDR565 Vintage Collection Old Fashioned Hot Dog Roller provides a fun family experience. It's perfect for kids, office lunches and while having parties or watching sporting events. This unit holds up to eight regular-sized hot dogs or four foot-long hot dogs at one time. Featuring a convenient bun storage warmer in the whimsical Canopy Top, it's a great all-in-one solution to enjoy hot dogs anytime!

Hot Dog Warmer

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Comfort Furnace Review

Every year, as it gets closer and closer to winter, I go through the same process. It starts with sealing windows in plastic sheeting. Then I tape unused doors. Finally, I get in the habit of avoiding the mailbox every day after work because I am afraid of what my heating bill is going to be.

I live in an old, drafty house with an ancient, inefficient heater. I do everything I can to winterize my house and try to bring my heating bill down a dollar or two, but nothing seems to satisfy me. So a couple years ago I went out and bought four oil-filled radiant heaters from the hardware store. I thought they would be great because I could move them from room to room and keep everyone warm while cutting back on running the furnace.

As soon as I got them home I knew it was going to be a problem. They were tall and narrow and got very hot to the touch. There was no way I could comfortably put one of these in my 4 year olds' room. Soon I realized how inefficient they were, too. They took quite a long time to heat up and once they got hot only the things near them stayed warm: they were useless in bigger rooms. Finally, I was anxious to get my utility bills the next month. I was not surprised to see the gas bill go down a little because of the heaters, but I was surprised by how much my electric bill went up. These little things sucked up a lot of juice!

I kept with them, although sparingly, through the rest of the winter simply because I did not want to waste the money I had spent on them. By the time the next winter was rolling around I was back on the market for another heater, and with the knowledge and experience I had gained the previous year I had three criteria in mind: it had to be safe to put in my kid's room, it had to be able to heat a larger area, and it had to be cost efficient.

Through a friend I had heard of Comfort Furnace infrared heaters and decided to give them a shot. It was on the top end of my price range, but it met at least one of my criteria right away: it was short, square, and cool to the touch. There was no need to worry about it tipping over or having someone burn themselves on it.

I brought it home at the end of November and planned to use it through December to see how it ran. After the first night I was convinced by its performance. The little heater had my living room comfortably warm within an hour. There were no hot and cold spots, and everyone felt the heat wherever they sat. I specifically remember it being 34 degrees outside and I had the house thermostat set at 58 degrees. The Comfort Furnace brought our living room (about 750 square feet) temperature to 69 degrees all on its own.

The final test came in January when I got the December bills. Again, I knew the gas bill would be lower because the furnace rarely came on anymore, but I was shocked when I saw the electric bill. It had gone down compared to the same month the previous year. It worked out that the Comfort Furnace ran on about a day in electricity.

Although the upfront cost was significant, the heater paid for itself in the first year. I have since bought a second one for the upstairs of the house. Now, instead of letting the furnace take care of everything, I give it a little help with the Comfort Furnace. Each unit can heat up to 1000 square feet, so one upstairs and one downstairs is perfect for us. I will never go back to the old oil-filled heaters again.

Comfort Furnace Review

Hot Dog Warmer

Comfort Furnace Review

Comfort Furnace Review
Comfort Furnace Review

Hot Dog Warmer

Thursday, April 4, 2013

How to Start a Hot Dog Stand and Profit

If you've always dreamed of having your own business but don't want to be stuck in an office then you might be interested in starting a hot dog stand. This type of business has flourished for decades, offering a product nearly everyone loves at affordable prices. That's a recipe for success!

Let's take a look at a few points that you need to consider to start a hot dog stand and manage it successfully.

Taking Care of the Paperwork

First let's get some of the basic necessities out of the way such as taxes and operating structure. You can incorporate as your own company, start a sole proprietorship, buy a franchise or lease a cart from an established business. Investigate which option would be more advantageous regarding taxes and profit potential before you make a decision.

You will also need a business license and a food handler's license. A food handler's license is issued after you attend a course of a few hours duration and pass a test based on the content. Once you have that you can apply for a business license that gives you the legal right to operate your business.

Hot Dog Stand Equipment

Now that the red tape and paperwork are out of the way, take a look at what you will need to successfully start a hot dog stand.

Your first requirement is a cart. These usually have two wheels on one end and two legs on the other for mobility and stability. There are stands with umbrellas, stands with portable awnings and stands with no overhead protection at all. Unless you will be operating indoors you should probably choose a stand with some sort of protection that you can shelter under on a rainy day.

Your cart will need a steamer, cooker, warmer and a storage area for supplies and condiments. If you plan to set up in a heavily trafficked area you'll need lots of storage space or a convenient area to keep extra buns, hot dogs and other things you might run out of. Your cart will probably operate on gas so you must be sure that it is set up safely. Keeping your merchandise at the ideal temperature is important and you should check the steamer often to be sure the buns are not soggy.

Location

Your best chance at making exceptionally high profits in the hot dog business will come when you position yourself near a hungry crowd. You need a lot of people nearby your spot or you have to have a lot of foot traffic passing by. Other things to consider when deciding on a location are the number of competitors that are operating nearby and any zoning restrictions you may be facing.

Up-Sell Additional Products

What kind of extras do you want to offer your customers? Would you like to sell beverages, chips, snacks or candy? These can be very lucrative as some people don't want a hot dog but would like a snack to take back to the office. You can make a lot of sales to people returning from lunch or breakfast if you have healthy snacks as well as chips and other junk food.

Offer your customers deals to encourage them to purchase more than just your hot dogs. Offer a value price for a hot dog as well as a drink or a packet of potato chips.

Customer Service

The most important aspect of your business is how you make your customers feel. Have you ever tried to juggle a food item and a drink while carrying a briefcase or a shopping bag? You may want to offer some sort of plate for your customers to use or a box for the hot dog. It adds to your overhead but people will choose your hot dog stand over the guy on the next block who doesn't offer these little conveniences.

How elaborate do you want to make your hot dogs? Do you want to offer more than ketchup and mustard? Consider offering chili sauce or other extras. This can make your stand more popular than others but also puts more demands on your storage space. If you think that most people in your area would like these extra things, plan to buy a cart that can accommodate them.

Remember that you, as a hot dog cart operator are what brings the customers back. You can undercut the competition and have the very best merchandise but you won't get return business if your customers don't have some sort of relationship with you. This can be as simple as a cheerful greeting or telling them you hope they have a great day. Remembering a regular customer's preferences will get you a customer for as long as you're in business. Taking the time for a brief chat may also make people want to come back.

Inventory

Of course, inventory is a vital part of your business. You will need a system of keeping track of your supplies so that you don't run out of something or store up too much of a product, especially perishable items like buns. There are several excellent programs you can download that will help you keep track of what you have at present and what you need to order soon.

You can make a very good living with a hot dog stand, especially if you live in an area that has mild winter weather. It is ideal for someone who enjoys people, being outdoors and the freedom to set their own working hours.

How to Start a Hot Dog Stand and Profit

Hot Dog Warmer

How to Start a Hot Dog Stand and Profit

How to Start a Hot Dog Stand and Profit
How to Start a Hot Dog Stand and Profit

Hot Dog Warmer

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Starting a Hot Dog Stand Business - Equipment and Supplies

To get set up with a new hot dog stand you will be looking at approximately 00 to 00 for the stand, cooking equipment, coolers and other food handling equipment. For around ,000 you can buy a customized trailer in which you can operate your business.

For those on a budget it makes sense to look at purchasing used equipment. Used equipment can typically be acquired for around half the price of new equipment and sometimes much less.

Leasing is also a great option as you will be paying regular payments over time as you earn money instead of having to come up with the lump sum that is needed if you were to buy equipment. This enables you to preserve your capital for business growth. If you lease, you will also have an easy exit option if you decide that you want to discontinue your business at some point in time.

Some people choose to build their own hot dog stand and it is possible to buy plans that explain how to go about this online. This approach usually requires a significant outlay to purchase a kit set or the necessary parts. It can be done for well under a thousand dollars but may not be worth it if you are not technically minded.

Putting hot dogs and food ingredients aside for a minute, lets consider some of the equipment and supplies that a hot dog vending stand will require.

A Stand or Cart

Your first requirement is a quality stand or cart. These usually have two wheels on one end and two legs on the other for mobility and stability. Stands are usually made up of mostly stainless steel components and they should be easy to take apart and clean.

A good stand should be able to be towed around by a vehicle. It will also have a sink for washing and cleaning, a water tank and a waste water tank.

Hot dog stands are generally powered by propane or LPG tanks although in some cases they are run on diesel. If you are doing a good daily trade then you may also have to have a spare tank available. Hot dog stands are usually required to have a fire extinguisher on hand.

There are stands with umbrellas, stands with portable awnings and stands with no overhead protection at all. Unless you will be operating indoors you should probably choose a stand with some sort of protection from the weather.

Food Storage and Preparation Equipment

Your cart will need a steamer and a broiler or grill for cooking hot dogs and warming or toasting buns.

If you plan to set up in a heavily trafficked area you'll need lots of storage space or a convenient area to keep extra buns, hot dogs and other things you might run out of.

You will need condiment dispensers that can hold large volumes of sauces and you may also need a display rack for condiments if you are encouraging customers to add their own.

You may consider buying an extra cooler if you will be selling large volumes of beverages. Most hot dog carts have coolers built in but they are often not large enough to cater to demand on a hot day.

Other food preparation equipment that you may need will include knives, a cutting board for slicing buns and spoons for adding certain toppings.

Display Cases and Racks

People are often more likely to purchase food when they see it displayed. You may consider displaying beverages, coleslaws or salads in a refrigerated display case. Other product items like chips can be hung from racks so that everyone can easily see the selection of brands that you offer.

Other Supplies and Considerations

Other supplies that you will need to purchase on a regular basis aside from food include food handling gear such as gloves, cleaning equipment, soap and napkins or foil bags for serving hot dogs to customers.

You will need a safe place to put the money that you take in each day. A cash register is only really practical for larger trailers. Most stands or carts get by with a money box. Make sure that you use a box that can be locked and for security purposes it is ideal if the box can be chained to your stand in some way.

Starting a Hot Dog Stand Business - Equipment and Supplies

Hot Dog Warmer

Starting a Hot Dog Stand Business - Equipment and Supplies

Starting a Hot Dog Stand Business - Equipment and Supplies
Starting a Hot Dog Stand Business - Equipment and Supplies

Hot Dog Warmer

Saturday, January 19, 2013

What Your Spa Or Hot Tub is Trying to Tell You

You walk out to use your spa or hot tub and immediately you know something is wrong. Either the water is cold, which makes for a less than enjoyable soak or nothing is working at all. The spa appears dead.

If you have a digital system in your spa or hot tub with a digital upper control, you first look at the upper control display to see if it will tell you what is going on. Looking at your upper control, you see abbreviations like SN1 or FLO or even "----". What do these symbols and abbreviations mean?

The symbols and abbreviations displayed on your spas upper control are called error codes. They tell you that the spa has detected a situation for which it then tries to identify. Different equipment manufacturers use different codes to identify certain conditions found by the spa self diagnostic system.

We will look at the two spa systems I receive most questions about. Balboa controls and Sundance Spas controls.

Balboa, one of the most common spa controls manufacturers, uses the following codes.

pd = Power supply, unit running on battery backup

OH = Sensors reading 112-118 Degrees

Flo = Improper flow or pressure switch malfunction

Cool = Water temp 20 degrees below set point

ICE = Potential freeze condition has been detected

Sn1 = Hi-limit sensor malfunction

Sn3 = Temp sensor malfunction

LOC = Interlock failure - possible pump or ozone spike

(----) = Unknown water temperature. (Displays when Spa is first powered up after refill).

Sundance Spa, one of the largest spa manufacturers, uses the following error codes.

ILOC = Interlock failure - possible pump or ozone spike

FLO = Pressure switch malfunction or Flow switch malfunction (system specific).

Hold = Flow Switch (heater is deactivated. Pump may also be deactivated).

Hold = Panel buttons pressed to many times to quickly.

HOT = PCB temperature above acceptable limit - air blower on.

ICE = Potential freeze condition.

PnL = Communication between the panel and circuit board is faulty.

(----) = "WATCHDOG" (spa is deactivated) A problem has been detected. (system can not identify)

Sn1 = OPEN SENSOR (heater is deactivated) or SHORTED SENSOR (spa is deactivated).

Sn3 = OPEN SENSOR OR SHORTED SENSOR ( heater disabled).

(This is not a complete list and your spa error codes may vary depending on year and model.)

Notice the similarities and differences in the codes. Both use FLO,SN1,SN3 and ICE and so forth, Differences include, (----). Meaning totally different things between the two systems. You must use the error codes for your control system to accurately diagnose the problem with your spa.

Lets take a quick look at the FLO error code. Both manufacturers state FLO is caused when a pressure switch malfunctions or a flow switch malfunctions. This can be the case in many situations, however, it is my experience that the number one cause of a spa displaying the error code "FLO" is due to a dirty or worn out filter.

(Some manufacturers attempt to narrow down the FLO error with different displays of the code, i.e., a solid FLO or a flashing FLO (FLO error blinks off and on).

Blinking FLO = Heater has been deactivated, pump is on and Flow / Pressure switch are open. (This means the system detects the spa has called for heat, the PC board has applied power to the pump, but it has not detected water flow. It deactivates the heater to avoid damage to the heater).

Solid FLO = Pump is off, flow or pressure switch is closed. (Meaning, the system should not be detecting water flow because the PC Board has not applied power to the pump, but the flow pressure switch is saying there is water flow. The flow or pressure switch is stuck in the closed position or shorted.)

A dirty or worn out filter can cause several error codes to be displayed. "OH" (over heat) because water is not moving quickly enough through the heater vessel and the high limit detects too hot of water temperature. "FLO" because the filter will not allow enough water through the heater vessel to activate the flow or pressure switch. Filters should be replaced approximately annually or bi-annually if you use two different filters. Filters should be rinsed thoroughly every month, and cleaned properly every 3 months or so.

For more information on error codes for your spa, visit Spa Parts Supply or contact your spa manufacturer for a list of codes that pertain to your spa. When in doubt, call a spa service technician for troubleshooting help and repair.

What Your Spa Or Hot Tub is Trying to Tell You

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