6″ deep 1/2 size pan, and 6″ deep full size spillage pan. A spillage pan is very slightly oversized so you can drop regular size steam pans inside it. As you can see here I use two half size perforated pans in my spillage pan.
Steve, while shopping for pans, I found that The vary wildly in price. The best I can tell there are different gauges. What gauge pans do I need? Also, is a “spillage pan” and a “water pan” the same thing? Thanks for your time.
Hi Kyle, I use the thinner gauge pans without any problems. If you want to save some money, those are fine. The thicker gauge pans are good for a commercial kitchen environment where employees beat the you-know-what out of them. Yes a spillage pan and a water pan are the same thing.
Just stretch the body out and let it hang off the back of the trailer. The internal framing on the cart body is strong enough, you dont’ need to extend the trailer frame. Then just rearrange the steam table and other equipment to suit your needs. Send us a pic when it’s done!
What if you wanted to cook two types of dogs, but didn’t want them cooking in the same water?….should you get two 1/4 size pans side by side instead of a half size? Any ideas? Thanks.
Just wanted to say my fiance and I are venturing in this together and are finally putting the cart together! It has been a dream of both of ours to own a business, especially one in restaurant/food. We have the trailer assembled and many of the parts needed for the assembly. We waited on the wood as we didn’t want it just sitting in the elements to possibly warp. We are going this weekend to get the lumber and are beginning the frame construction. Thank you again for putting such an informative set of videos (and overall site) together. Much appreciated!
Is there enough room in the frame for 2 1/6 size pans at the end of the 1/2 and full pans and would there be enough heat if the fire box was entended to heat cheese and chili?
There would definitely be enough heat. As far as fit, just lay out your pans edge to edge and measure them. That will tell you for sure whether they will fit.
Adjective. Describes an extraordinarily fancy thing, event, or person that your jealousy causes you to play down.
a) beyond your social class and/or tax bracket
b) you failed to get the invite
c) you never heard of becuase you are “out of the loop”
* Sometimes accompanied by hand-on-hip
“Get a load of Miss fancy shmancy flaunting her Movados and her Escalade!”
“I ate alone last night because my jerk friends all went to that fancy shmancy party uptown.”
Fancy Shmancy
1. A term used to describe something expensive and impressive
2. A term used to mockingly describe something expensive and attempting to be impressive
1. My new watch cost $10,000 and is really shiny. It sure is fancy shmancy
2. Wow your house is so large in this tiny neighborhood filled with impoverished people. It’s pretty fancy shmancy
This is probably closer to the way you used the phrase.
Btw, cart is coming right along. Videos are a snap to follow. Thanks Steve
Hi Steve,
I am building on a different trailer that then the one that you suggested.
The 16 1/2 inch uprights in the plans bring my top surface to about 41 inches which feels a bit too high and awkward to me.
What do you recommend for the finished height of the working surface of the cart ? Thanks.
Chuck
My ground clearance is 10″ from floor to trailer bottom will that change the height of the cart dimensions, and do I need to cut my frame taller then 16 1/2″
Thanks again Steve for putting all of this information together. I am building out a 4×8 trailer, same one you show in your video but larger. I am going with the side serve (warmers on right side of cart) design and am considering the hotbox setup with a griddle as well. I purchased two of the dual burner stoves from Harbor Freight. I will have one hotbox per your video and am considering a second one for the griddle or should I consider mounting the griddle unit on top of the counter or should I just add a second hotbox and set the griddle on that one? I tell ya…. I am not a journey carpenter but luckily I have known some good ones. Very difficult when designing and then actually building these carts considering all the potential modifications. I have so many ideas for modifications that it’s driving me nuts. Can’t build the perfect cart and you want to be unique as much as possible as I keep hearing in the videos and testimonials. For me, it’s about good design and superior functionality. Trying to consider good flow with the crowds and to not build myself into a bad serving setup. No matter what, it is the overall experience of the dog lover that will determine if they want to come back. I am sitting in an area that is primed for someone like me to bring the dogs in. Any suggestions for a listing of the pan inventory and what should be purchased? Should extra sets be considered too?
Thanks again. Willie
Hi Willie,
Don’t obsess too much about getting the perfect layout. I guarantee that whatever you do, you will find a way to improve on it after you have been slingin’ for a few months. It’s actually not difficult at all if you just keep things straight forward and don’t try to get too fancy. Good enough is good enough!
For a flat top griddle I suggest mounting the stove to the top (work surface) of the cart and putting a Little Griddle on it. Instant flat top grill!
I’d iike to build my cart a foot over size on each size as long as I use a twelve inch tongue extension on the trailer to pull it should I have a problem thanks Steve
You should have no problem Larry. You may not even need that tongue extension. Here is an easy way to check. Cut your cart body floor to size and temporarily bolt it onto the trailer in the position you want it. Hook the trailer up to your tow vehicle. Then pick up the back of the trailer (it is light) and swing it around until the floor touches your tow vehicle. This will show you how tight you can turn before contacting the cart body. Remember to account for sinks or other equipment that sticks out from the side of the cart.
Hey Steve, is it possible to have all this pre-cut at the home store? If so could you possibly reply with all the dimensions I need for the Pieces of plywood and the 2″ x 2″ pieces? That would be extremely helpful as I dnt have any saws or any work table to even saw on.. and I want to try and avoid buying the saws and sawhorses if possible. Thank you so much in advance for any response!
Also, I will be using the exact same trailer and build of the cart that you show in the videos so the dimensions you use will be the same for mine, but I would like to have the same sliding window storage area that is shown in Dale’s video of the one that he built and uses in Reno.. Again, Thanks for any response Steve!
No, I don’t recommend getting all your wood pre-cut. There is a term used in manufacturing called “tolerance stack up”. This means that if you have four parts and each part is 1/8 of an inch off, the final assembly will be 1/2″ off. There is just too much variation to be able to accurately predict the final frame dimensions, therefore the plywood skins may or may not fit. You can build whatever kind of sliding doors you want. Don’t be afraid to get creative!
I am Trying to figure out how i can fit a small NFS refrigerator on/in cart , as required by San Diego Health Dept. I would like to stick to standard design, but will do the 60″ side serve. SO MY QUESTIONS are….
1) Do you know of specific a NFS refrig that i can fit inside bottom of cart (the height seems to be an issue) ?
2) Do you have a suggestions on where I can mount a refrig (top or bottom) on a standard 48″ or 60″ side serve??
I have decided not to incorporate a cooler on the cart if this helps in your suggestion. (i can keep a cooler with ice separate)
A Google search will reveal a variety of NSF refrigerators in different sizes. I don’t have any specific recommendations, sorry. You can mount the fridge wherever you want to. You can move the steam table around to accommodate placing the fridge in the rear of the cart facing backward if that’s what you want. It’s really up to you.
Real excited Steve’s!
After owning this course since 20015 I am finally getting started on my build. Like everyone else I have a lot of design ideas but I’m going to follow the KISS rule and build exactly as shown.
Again I’m super excited to be realizing my dream retirement “job”. Thanks for being here for us.
Larry Green
Steve, First of all, thank you for your very fast responses. I love that you take pride in what you do. Questions:
1) I’m going to use the 8 ft trailer. I was wondering if I wanted to make the cart 10 ft, if it would still work for this longer trailer? (I’m trying to allow extra room for two stoves and the larger San Diego County sink, plus possibly a larger fridge if I can’t find a smaller one)
2) Is this your favorite configuration for the steam pans. I saw a guy that had two inches of water in his pans and then shorter ones above it because he didn’t want to cook by direct heat? The number of choices can be very intimidating…not wanting to make any mistakes. I guess you can experiment and see what you like?
1. Yes, you could make it ten feet. The extra length can just hang off the back of the trailer frame.
2. You will make mistakes. Don’t worry about it, lol. Everyone has their own preference. You will develop yours after you get some experience.
Steve, I made the width cross member 12 1/2 inches from the front cross member and my pans were almost falling through. (I’m assuming different pans have slight differences. I’m using Choice from Webstaurant) I cut the gap down to 12 1/4 and they are still a little loose, but holding. I know when you put the the cross members length wise, front to back, the distance between the two width cross members, about 12 1/4 inches, that they will also help to hold in the pans. My question is, how much should I allow for the firebox material so that I don’t make the length and width to small? Thanks!
You didn’t include the 1 5/8 screw in the bill of materials, so I didn’t have them on hand. I had to use slightly larger screws and file them down. Just a heads up to anyone hasn’t bought materials yet.
could you use two screws instead of one on the cross braces.It would make it so it couldnt twist
Hi John, you certainly can but it isn’t really necessary. Once the plywood skin is attached the structure becomes extremely stiff.
yes
could I use regular wood glue instead of the adhesive you are using?
Absolutely. Wood glue, Liquid Nails, Power Grab will all work fine Jacqueline.
what size pans are you using in this video. I know the one should be 6 inches but are they a 1/3 and full size?
6″ deep 1/2 size pan, and 6″ deep full size spillage pan. A spillage pan is very slightly oversized so you can drop regular size steam pans inside it. As you can see here I use two half size perforated pans in my spillage pan.
Steve, while shopping for pans, I found that The vary wildly in price. The best I can tell there are different gauges. What gauge pans do I need? Also, is a “spillage pan” and a “water pan” the same thing? Thanks for your time.
Hi Kyle, I use the thinner gauge pans without any problems. If you want to save some money, those are fine. The thicker gauge pans are good for a commercial kitchen environment where employees beat the you-know-what out of them. Yes a spillage pan and a water pan are the same thing.
Steve how would build a side serve cart like o,dogg,s want to use on a golf course thank,s paddy,s pushcart,s
Just stretch the body out and let it hang off the back of the trailer. The internal framing on the cart body is strong enough, you dont’ need to extend the trailer frame. Then just rearrange the steam table and other equipment to suit your needs. Send us a pic when it’s done!
Hi Steve,
What if you wanted to cook two types of dogs, but didn’t want them cooking in the same water?….should you get two 1/4 size pans side by side instead of a half size? Any ideas? Thanks.
Yes, that’s exactly what you should do Ben. Two 1/4 size pans.
Just wanted to say my fiance and I are venturing in this together and are finally putting the cart together! It has been a dream of both of ours to own a business, especially one in restaurant/food. We have the trailer assembled and many of the parts needed for the assembly. We waited on the wood as we didn’t want it just sitting in the elements to possibly warp. We are going this weekend to get the lumber and are beginning the frame construction. Thank you again for putting such an informative set of videos (and overall site) together. Much appreciated!
My pleasure Ray! Send me some pictures when you finish it!
My fiance says we will be sending photos :).
Awesome. I love pics!
Is there enough room in the frame for 2 1/6 size pans at the end of the 1/2 and full pans and would there be enough heat if the fire box was entended to heat cheese and chili?
There would definitely be enough heat. As far as fit, just lay out your pans edge to edge and measure them. That will tell you for sure whether they will fit.
Fancy Shmancy from urbandictionary.com
Adjective. Describes an extraordinarily fancy thing, event, or person that your jealousy causes you to play down.
a) beyond your social class and/or tax bracket
b) you failed to get the invite
c) you never heard of becuase you are “out of the loop”
* Sometimes accompanied by hand-on-hip
“Get a load of Miss fancy shmancy flaunting her Movados and her Escalade!”
“I ate alone last night because my jerk friends all went to that fancy shmancy party uptown.”
Hope this helps…
my last comment regarding…
Fancy Shmancy
1. A term used to describe something expensive and impressive
2. A term used to mockingly describe something expensive and attempting to be impressive
1. My new watch cost $10,000 and is really shiny. It sure is fancy shmancy
2. Wow your house is so large in this tiny neighborhood filled with impoverished people. It’s pretty fancy shmancy
This is probably closer to the way you used the phrase.
Btw, cart is coming right along. Videos are a snap to follow. Thanks Steve
Awesome Chuck! Send pics when you finish it.
-Steve
Hi Steve,
I am building on a different trailer that then the one that you suggested.
The 16 1/2 inch uprights in the plans bring my top surface to about 41 inches which feels a bit too high and awkward to me.
What do you recommend for the finished height of the working surface of the cart ? Thanks.
Chuck
Hi Chuck. You can make it any height that you want. We designed it to be standard countertop height which is 36 inches.
My ground clearance is 10″ from floor to trailer bottom will that change the height of the cart dimensions, and do I need to cut my frame taller then 16 1/2″
You can make it any height that you want to. Whatever is comfortable for you. Standard countertop height is 36″ from the floor.
Thanks Steve you been agreat I’ll send pictures when done
Thanks again Steve for putting all of this information together. I am building out a 4×8 trailer, same one you show in your video but larger. I am going with the side serve (warmers on right side of cart) design and am considering the hotbox setup with a griddle as well. I purchased two of the dual burner stoves from Harbor Freight. I will have one hotbox per your video and am considering a second one for the griddle or should I consider mounting the griddle unit on top of the counter or should I just add a second hotbox and set the griddle on that one? I tell ya…. I am not a journey carpenter but luckily I have known some good ones. Very difficult when designing and then actually building these carts considering all the potential modifications. I have so many ideas for modifications that it’s driving me nuts. Can’t build the perfect cart and you want to be unique as much as possible as I keep hearing in the videos and testimonials. For me, it’s about good design and superior functionality. Trying to consider good flow with the crowds and to not build myself into a bad serving setup. No matter what, it is the overall experience of the dog lover that will determine if they want to come back. I am sitting in an area that is primed for someone like me to bring the dogs in. Any suggestions for a listing of the pan inventory and what should be purchased? Should extra sets be considered too?
Thanks again. Willie
Hi Willie,
Don’t obsess too much about getting the perfect layout. I guarantee that whatever you do, you will find a way to improve on it after you have been slingin’ for a few months. It’s actually not difficult at all if you just keep things straight forward and don’t try to get too fancy. Good enough is good enough!
For a flat top griddle I suggest mounting the stove to the top (work surface) of the cart and putting a Little Griddle on it. Instant flat top grill!
Steve I what kind/size screws are you using?
Sorry, I hear it now 1 5/8
No prob, lol.
I’d iike to build my cart a foot over size on each size as long as I use a twelve inch tongue extension on the trailer to pull it should I have a problem thanks Steve
You should have no problem Larry. You may not even need that tongue extension. Here is an easy way to check. Cut your cart body floor to size and temporarily bolt it onto the trailer in the position you want it. Hook the trailer up to your tow vehicle. Then pick up the back of the trailer (it is light) and swing it around until the floor touches your tow vehicle. This will show you how tight you can turn before contacting the cart body. Remember to account for sinks or other equipment that sticks out from the side of the cart.
Hey Steve, is it possible to have all this pre-cut at the home store? If so could you possibly reply with all the dimensions I need for the Pieces of plywood and the 2″ x 2″ pieces? That would be extremely helpful as I dnt have any saws or any work table to even saw on.. and I want to try and avoid buying the saws and sawhorses if possible. Thank you so much in advance for any response!
Also, I will be using the exact same trailer and build of the cart that you show in the videos so the dimensions you use will be the same for mine, but I would like to have the same sliding window storage area that is shown in Dale’s video of the one that he built and uses in Reno.. Again, Thanks for any response Steve!
No, I don’t recommend getting all your wood pre-cut. There is a term used in manufacturing called “tolerance stack up”. This means that if you have four parts and each part is 1/8 of an inch off, the final assembly will be 1/2″ off. There is just too much variation to be able to accurately predict the final frame dimensions, therefore the plywood skins may or may not fit. You can build whatever kind of sliding doors you want. Don’t be afraid to get creative!
2 garbage cans work fine for sawhorses. You don’t need the most expensive saw, a cheaper model will work fine.
ok, thanks Steve!
Hey Steve,
I am Trying to figure out how i can fit a small NFS refrigerator on/in cart , as required by San Diego Health Dept. I would like to stick to standard design, but will do the 60″ side serve. SO MY QUESTIONS are….
1) Do you know of specific a NFS refrig that i can fit inside bottom of cart (the height seems to be an issue) ?
2) Do you have a suggestions on where I can mount a refrig (top or bottom) on a standard 48″ or 60″ side serve??
I have decided not to incorporate a cooler on the cart if this helps in your suggestion. (i can keep a cooler with ice separate)
A Google search will reveal a variety of NSF refrigerators in different sizes. I don’t have any specific recommendations, sorry. You can mount the fridge wherever you want to. You can move the steam table around to accommodate placing the fridge in the rear of the cart facing backward if that’s what you want. It’s really up to you.
Real excited Steve’s!
After owning this course since 20015 I am finally getting started on my build. Like everyone else I have a lot of design ideas but I’m going to follow the KISS rule and build exactly as shown.
Again I’m super excited to be realizing my dream retirement “job”. Thanks for being here for us.
Larry Green
That’s great Larry! Send pics when you finish it.
-Steve
Steve, First of all, thank you for your very fast responses. I love that you take pride in what you do. Questions:
1) I’m going to use the 8 ft trailer. I was wondering if I wanted to make the cart 10 ft, if it would still work for this longer trailer? (I’m trying to allow extra room for two stoves and the larger San Diego County sink, plus possibly a larger fridge if I can’t find a smaller one)
2) Is this your favorite configuration for the steam pans. I saw a guy that had two inches of water in his pans and then shorter ones above it because he didn’t want to cook by direct heat? The number of choices can be very intimidating…not wanting to make any mistakes. I guess you can experiment and see what you like?
1. Yes, you could make it ten feet. The extra length can just hang off the back of the trailer frame.
2. You will make mistakes. Don’t worry about it, lol. Everyone has their own preference. You will develop yours after you get some experience.
Steve, I made the width cross member 12 1/2 inches from the front cross member and my pans were almost falling through. (I’m assuming different pans have slight differences. I’m using Choice from Webstaurant) I cut the gap down to 12 1/4 and they are still a little loose, but holding. I know when you put the the cross members length wise, front to back, the distance between the two width cross members, about 12 1/4 inches, that they will also help to hold in the pans. My question is, how much should I allow for the firebox material so that I don’t make the length and width to small? Thanks!
Firebox metal thickness is negligible. Just follow the plans and your opening will come out the right size for a spillage pan.
You didn’t include the 1 5/8 screw in the bill of materials, so I didn’t have them on hand. I had to use slightly larger screws and file them down. Just a heads up to anyone hasn’t bought materials yet.