Yes, rubber gas lines are way less durable than copper. You don’t want a rubber line inside your cart body getting cut or abrading through. It will leak gas which will accumulate inside the cart body – not good. You can safely use rubber gas lines outside the cart body because if they spring a leak the gas simply disperses in the air.
Instead of using copper I was thinking of using those yellow premade gas lines because there’s no fittings to be made you think that can work. Because I think those are used in food trucks.
As long as the lines are hard. You don’t want to use soft hoses inside the cart. The reason is that if a hose gets a hole in it the gas will build up inside the cart. Not good.
Hi Steve, I want to use on demand hot water. My question is do I need to run a copper line for the gas or can I just use the propane hose lines throughout the cart? an I am actually putting 2 propane stoves on my cart. but is one better for inspection than the other or does it matter at all?? thanks
Use copper lines inside the cart, rubber lines outside the cart. The reason is that if your gas line springs a leak outside the cart it’s no big deal. But if you get a gas leak inside the cart the gas will build up and that’s a dangerous thing. So use the more durable copper lines inside.
Any recommendations for a stove for the steam table? I think the one in the video is no longer available from HF. Will a camp type stove work? I’m customizing this design for a small food truck and trying to get my ducks in a row before I submit plans to the State. I’m guessing that the plans could look similar to yours here without the details of the stove? I’m also adding a gas grill on top of the counter and will add a second line.
Thanks.
Hello Steve, I’m going to be building my cart on an 8 ft. trailer with two full-size pans at the rear. Because I’m in San Diego, I’m going to be making a more complicated firebox with cement board and steel flashing. There won’t be much room at the side of the cart to run the gas line through because of the two pans and I don’t want to run it through the firebox.
My question is: can you run the copper gas line through a steel pipe conduit underneath the bottom of the cart rather than trying to make all those bends around things inside the cart?
Good Day, I am running in to a bit of difficulty in preparing to make the propane lines for the cart.
1. Can I use 3/8″ Copper tubing for the lines?
2. Is this copper tubing used for water lines?
3. Also where can I purchase the flare fittings and other hardware for making t-junctions?
Hi Beach Dogs, the parts list calls for 3/8 copper tubing. It is the same kind that is used for water lines in home construction, however we use plastic water lines for the cart build. See the parts list. The flare fittings can be purchased at your local hardware store.
thank you for the conformation on the copper tubing. I am aware of the plastic tubing for the waterlines. My next question is having the propane tank at the front of the cart and my instant water heater at the front but the stove and bbq at the back (Steamline). Do i need a regulator for all three or can I use one for all at the tank? I hope I explained it well enough.
You can use one regulator for all three as long as the regulator is “in front” of all of the appliances as far a gas flow is concerned. In other words, the regulator should be installed right after the tank outlet.
Perfect, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
That’s what I’m here for 🙂
Hi, Steve. I’d like to put my “t” for my gas line inside the cart. Is there any reason I shouldn’t do that? I know it’ll take a little more doing, but I’d like the gas line from the water heater to go inside the cart and meet the “t” on the inside.
Is there a reason you can’t just use a regular rubber propane line instead of a copper line?
Yes, rubber gas lines are way less durable than copper. You don’t want a rubber line inside your cart body getting cut or abrading through. It will leak gas which will accumulate inside the cart body – not good. You can safely use rubber gas lines outside the cart body because if they spring a leak the gas simply disperses in the air.
Great question Benjamin!
asked this elsewhere …can compression fitting be used rather than flare fittings ?
Stick with flare fittings. They are more leak proof.
i’m going to have two stoves on my cart grill and steam table. Is it better to run one tank with a tee or two tanks one for each stove
Either way will work fine. If you decide to tee it make with equal length gas lines running from the tee fitting to each stove.
Why equal length? Is there a safety reason behind this?
Not for safety reasons, you just want equal gas pressure at each stove.
Steve,
I am not sure if I missed it but are you using 1/4 copper tubing?
Thanks,
Greg
3/8
Instead of using copper I was thinking of using those yellow premade gas lines because there’s no fittings to be made you think that can work. Because I think those are used in food trucks.
As long as the lines are hard. You don’t want to use soft hoses inside the cart. The reason is that if a hose gets a hole in it the gas will build up inside the cart. Not good.
What about gas line Teflon tape. Do you need I’d it?
Never use teflon tape on compression or flare fittings.
Hi Steve, I want to use on demand hot water. My question is do I need to run a copper line for the gas or can I just use the propane hose lines throughout the cart? an I am actually putting 2 propane stoves on my cart. but is one better for inspection than the other or does it matter at all?? thanks
Use copper lines inside the cart, rubber lines outside the cart. The reason is that if your gas line springs a leak outside the cart it’s no big deal. But if you get a gas leak inside the cart the gas will build up and that’s a dangerous thing. So use the more durable copper lines inside.
Hey Steve:
Any recommendations for a stove for the steam table? I think the one in the video is no longer available from HF. Will a camp type stove work? I’m customizing this design for a small food truck and trying to get my ducks in a row before I submit plans to the State. I’m guessing that the plans could look similar to yours here without the details of the stove? I’m also adding a gas grill on top of the counter and will add a second line.
Thanks.
Travis
Yes. Here you go Travis…
https://hotdogprofitspremium.com/e-z-built-hot-dog-cart/e-z-built-videos/e-z-built-video-9-firebox-part-1/
Thanks! Found it not long after I wrote that. Appreciate it.
Hello Steve, I’m going to be building my cart on an 8 ft. trailer with two full-size pans at the rear. Because I’m in San Diego, I’m going to be making a more complicated firebox with cement board and steel flashing. There won’t be much room at the side of the cart to run the gas line through because of the two pans and I don’t want to run it through the firebox.
My question is: can you run the copper gas line through a steel pipe conduit underneath the bottom of the cart rather than trying to make all those bends around things inside the cart?
Sure, that’s actually a great idea Kevin!
-Steve
Good Day, I am running in to a bit of difficulty in preparing to make the propane lines for the cart.
1. Can I use 3/8″ Copper tubing for the lines?
2. Is this copper tubing used for water lines?
3. Also where can I purchase the flare fittings and other hardware for making t-junctions?
Your knowledge would be appreciated.
Hi Beach Dogs, the parts list calls for 3/8 copper tubing. It is the same kind that is used for water lines in home construction, however we use plastic water lines for the cart build. See the parts list. The flare fittings can be purchased at your local hardware store.
thank you for the conformation on the copper tubing. I am aware of the plastic tubing for the waterlines. My next question is having the propane tank at the front of the cart and my instant water heater at the front but the stove and bbq at the back (Steamline). Do i need a regulator for all three or can I use one for all at the tank? I hope I explained it well enough.
You can use one regulator for all three as long as the regulator is “in front” of all of the appliances as far a gas flow is concerned. In other words, the regulator should be installed right after the tank outlet.
Perfect, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
That’s what I’m here for 🙂
Hi, Steve. I’d like to put my “t” for my gas line inside the cart. Is there any reason I shouldn’t do that? I know it’ll take a little more doing, but I’d like the gas line from the water heater to go inside the cart and meet the “t” on the inside.
I don’t like fittings inside the cart. If they leak, propane will build up inside the cart. Not a good situation.