Steve, I may have missed it, but what is the purpose of the 4 hole saw holes in the firebox ? and at the end of the video it looked like they where closed back in?
Thanks,
Bruce
Two questions:
1) would fiberglass between the heat shield and firebox be of any advantage?
2) do health dept inspectors get excited about the firebox air exit channel being difficult to clean? Seems one of the big rules is that you can get to stuff, and this looks roughly impossible to get to for cleaning.
1. It wouldn’t hurt anything but I have not found it to be necessary because the space between the heat shield and the cooler is so well ventilated.
2. No. I’ve never heard about it being a problem for anyone, myself included.
Steve,
The stove that you use looks like it’s length was made for 3 burners with the middle one blank. The only one on the Harbor Freights sight shows a two burner (item #35559, it’s width is 23 1/4″) but it’s width looks shorter than yours. Do you know the width of your stove and / or an item number? I get the feeling that they are not selling that model anymore.
On the heat shield, why don’t it go all the way down to the bottom of the firebox? Thanks, Tom
Harbor Freight still carries it. Part number 35559. It is a two burner and it is shorter in width than the firebox that you will construct on top of the stove. The next videos will make it clear to you.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the reply. I located another propane stove at Target that brings the width to 28″. It looks more to be thge size of the one that you have in the video. It’s a little more expensive but it spreads out the two burners. It comes with legs but they are not needed in the cart setup. Heres a link for anybody who wants that extra width. Thanks Steve. Tom http://www.target.com/p/stansport-2-burner-stainless-steel-stove-with-stand-silver-black/-/A-13808899#prodSlot=medium_1_0&term=2 burner stainless propane stove
#1) Has anyone come across the Health or Building inspector taking issue with so much wood being so close to fire on these carts. Particularly in San Diego County , California???
#2) Will exterior grade lumber have advantage or did I remember that exterior grade Lumber and food should not be together?
1. In all the years that folks have been building E-Z Built hot dog carts, I have never even once heard that the design was challenged as for safety. The flame is enclosed in a metal box. The venting is designed so that the surrounding wood stays cool. You can place your hand on the work surface right next to the firebox and it will only feel slightly warm. No worries.
2. Don’t use treated lumber. Exterior paint inside and out will protect it just fine.
Steve,
Im doing a side serve and using 2 full steam pans, placing them side by side, BUT they are mounted LONG ways away from me. in essence the total dimensions 29 inches right to left(2 pans side by side total with a 4 inch or so space in between so i get a burner under each pan), but going north south 21 ” whatever the length of a full size pan is.
SO MY QUESTION IS… I now have a space in my firebox of about 29 inches wide by 7 inches long that the bottom sheet aluminum screws into the stove on one end, but extends 29 ” wide 7 inches long and will only screw into the 2 inch fold with no support underneath for the entire one side of 29″. SHOULD I BUILD A SUPPORT BEAM FOR THE BACK , BOTTOM OF THE SHEET METAL SO IT CAN REST ON AND SCREW INTO? OR IS THE FACT THAT THE TOP OF THAT FOLDED PIECE IS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME GOOD ENOUGH
I am not installing a cooler, since San Diego BOH prohibits them built in.
In this case, is the heat shield necessary? or strongly recommended? or is it just a useless step in my situation? I wont have anything close to the back of the firebox, especially not that high up.
By the way, getting rave reviews from friends and relatives, about the FREE WEBSITE you made for me. I LOVE IT. And this is coming from someone with 15+ years in PC Support, as well as being Microsoft Certified. So I know the difference between a god and bad website design. Yours exceeded my expectations by far. And so has your customer service!
You could make the cart body wider, which would allow you make the steam table opening wider to accommodate two full steam pans. The stock cart that you see in the video will accommodate one and one half steam pans.
Steve,
1) When you are putting the #8 screws through the flat bar are you drilling a pilot hole or just driving the screws straight in?
2) Have you ever had or heard of someone who has had a problem drilling/putting the screws that close to the side of the wood/wood cracking, etc.?
how big do the wholes have to be? did i miss that part? thats for the whole saw just to be clear thanx. Bill
It’s not too critical. Anything from 1 1/2 to 2 inches would be fine Bill.
Steve, I may have missed it, but what is the purpose of the 4 hole saw holes in the firebox ? and at the end of the video it looked like they where closed back in?
Thanks,
Bruce
They are for combustion air. They are not closed back in, I think you are seeing the sides of the steam pans through the holes.
how many hole saw holes do i need 4 or6 ?
I put in a total of six holes. Three in front of each burner.
Two questions:
1) would fiberglass between the heat shield and firebox be of any advantage?
2) do health dept inspectors get excited about the firebox air exit channel being difficult to clean? Seems one of the big rules is that you can get to stuff, and this looks roughly impossible to get to for cleaning.
1. It wouldn’t hurt anything but I have not found it to be necessary because the space between the heat shield and the cooler is so well ventilated.
2. No. I’ve never heard about it being a problem for anyone, myself included.
Steve,
The stove that you use looks like it’s length was made for 3 burners with the middle one blank. The only one on the Harbor Freights sight shows a two burner (item #35559, it’s width is 23 1/4″) but it’s width looks shorter than yours. Do you know the width of your stove and / or an item number? I get the feeling that they are not selling that model anymore.
On the heat shield, why don’t it go all the way down to the bottom of the firebox? Thanks, Tom
Hi Thomas,
Harbor Freight still carries it. Part number 35559. It is a two burner and it is shorter in width than the firebox that you will construct on top of the stove. The next videos will make it clear to you.
http://www.harborfreight.com/dual-burner-propane-stove-35559.html
The bottom part of the firebox does not get very hot, as heat rises. That is why the shield is not full length.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the reply. I located another propane stove at Target that brings the width to 28″. It looks more to be thge size of the one that you have in the video. It’s a little more expensive but it spreads out the two burners. It comes with legs but they are not needed in the cart setup. Heres a link for anybody who wants that extra width. Thanks Steve. Tom
http://www.target.com/p/stansport-2-burner-stainless-steel-stove-with-stand-silver-black/-/A-13808899#prodSlot=medium_1_0&term=2 burner stainless propane stove
Thanks Thomas!
That trick with the nuts is sheer genius
Glad you like it Angel!
What do you think about putting oak logs on bottom of fire box to pick smell of wood while steaming dogs thanks pictures coming soon
DO NOT DO THAT. The firebox is not meant to be used as a smoker. It won’t work and would not be safe to try.
Thanks steve
I ordered the newer propane stove from the link. But one side has a much larger burner. Will that matter?
Not at all. The flames are adjustable. In fact, you’ll probably never run them on high except for during the initial warm up.
I HAVE 2 QUESTIONS???
#1) Has anyone come across the Health or Building inspector taking issue with so much wood being so close to fire on these carts. Particularly in San Diego County , California???
#2) Will exterior grade lumber have advantage or did I remember that exterior grade Lumber and food should not be together?
1. In all the years that folks have been building E-Z Built hot dog carts, I have never even once heard that the design was challenged as for safety. The flame is enclosed in a metal box. The venting is designed so that the surrounding wood stays cool. You can place your hand on the work surface right next to the firebox and it will only feel slightly warm. No worries.
2. Don’t use treated lumber. Exterior paint inside and out will protect it just fine.
Steve,
Im doing a side serve and using 2 full steam pans, placing them side by side, BUT they are mounted LONG ways away from me. in essence the total dimensions 29 inches right to left(2 pans side by side total with a 4 inch or so space in between so i get a burner under each pan), but going north south 21 ” whatever the length of a full size pan is.
SO MY QUESTION IS… I now have a space in my firebox of about 29 inches wide by 7 inches long that the bottom sheet aluminum screws into the stove on one end, but extends 29 ” wide 7 inches long and will only screw into the 2 inch fold with no support underneath for the entire one side of 29″. SHOULD I BUILD A SUPPORT BEAM FOR THE BACK , BOTTOM OF THE SHEET METAL SO IT CAN REST ON AND SCREW INTO? OR IS THE FACT THAT THE TOP OF THAT FOLDED PIECE IS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME GOOD ENOUGH
It wouldn’t hurt to put a 2×2 under that unsupported sheet metal.
Steve,
Sorry about all the questions, …
I am not installing a cooler, since San Diego BOH prohibits them built in.
In this case, is the heat shield necessary? or strongly recommended? or is it just a useless step in my situation? I wont have anything close to the back of the firebox, especially not that high up.
By the way, getting rave reviews from friends and relatives, about the FREE WEBSITE you made for me. I LOVE IT. And this is coming from someone with 15+ years in PC Support, as well as being Microsoft Certified. So I know the difference between a god and bad website design. Yours exceeded my expectations by far. And so has your customer service!
Joe
Hi Joe,
Install the heat shield anyway. It helps vent the hot air from the firebox up and out of the cart. Glad you like your free website!
-Steve
Steve: Will the total opening of the fire box support 2 full steam pans? If not, what will it support?
Thanks,
Doug
You could make the cart body wider, which would allow you make the steam table opening wider to accommodate two full steam pans. The stock cart that you see in the video will accommodate one and one half steam pans.
Steve,
1) When you are putting the #8 screws through the flat bar are you drilling a pilot hole or just driving the screws straight in?
2) Have you ever had or heard of someone who has had a problem drilling/putting the screws that close to the side of the wood/wood cracking, etc.?
Hi Kevin,
Drill clearance holes in the flat bar and pilot holes in the wood. If you do that you won’t have any trouble.
hi Steve whats the best clearance between the steam pans and burner
Hi Christopher, the clearance isn’t super critical. I’d say 1/2″ minimum to 1 1/2″ max.