I’ve been having a heck of a time with this too – I can find propane refrigerators and NSF refrigerators but none that are both. Do you have any supplier recommendations?
So far I have not had any of my California students tell me that their inspector required an NSF refrigerator. Ask your inspector for a copy of the health code regarding food carts and read it yourself. You may have to politely educate your inspector (happens all the time). Good luck!
Now that I look more closely, I don’t see NSF as a requirement, either – perhaps I’ll push back on the inspector (politely and gently, of course). Thanks, Steve!
Right on!
Hi Steve – I just did some checking and it looks like my local jurisdiction requires the waste water tank to be at least 50% larger than the fresh water tank. Further complicating things: the fresh water tank must hold at least 5 gallons. Would a tank larger than a 7-gallon waste water tank fit in this cart? I’m having a hard time finding a water jug larger than 7 gallons that isn’t in the 11-12+ gallons range (at least online).
Hi Jared. My first question is are you sure that the waste water tank needs to be 50% larger, because the majority of health codes require 15% larger. I’m just wondering if you could have misunderstood. A 7 gallon tank is 15% larger than a 5 gallon tank which is why we recommend those sizes in the plans. If you do indeed need a 50% larger waste water tank, the easiest way to accomplish that would be to use two 5 gallon tanks and connect them with a section of hose near the top so that as one gets full it will overflow into the other. You should have plenty of room inside the cart body to accomplish this.
On page 2, item 17, they quote the 50% larger figure. I was surprised, too, as every other county in the area seems to require 15%, but hey, Marin County is a very, er, interesting place…
I think the two 5-gallon tanks would probably satisfy the requirement, but I’ll set up a meeting with the health department anyway and see what they say. Thanks again! I’m looking forward to getting started!
First, read the Carts of Cash book to find out how to deal with the health department. Second, take the California Schematic drawings down to your local health department and show them to your inspector. He will tell you how he wants the cart to be equipped in order to pass inspection. Do this before you buy parts and before you start building.
Hi Eliud, you can make a longer hotdog cart using the 40″ x 48″ trailer. You will not have to extend the metal trailer frame. The cart body is strong enough that you can make it extra long and hang the extra length off the back end of the trailer frame. Just make sure that the trailer balances slightly tongue down when you are finished so that it will tow correctly.
You misunderstood me. I was asking a question to a potential problem… Will the fender and wheel interefere with the onboard refrigerator. From the scematic i see here on the California model the wheel and fender are directly in front of the place where I would be putting the refrigerator. Thus, how would the door open and close if fender and wheel are in the way.
The purpose of health department schematics is to be able to show the drawings to your health inspector for approval. They are not construction drawings. In this case you would have to raise the fridge up to clear the fender or move it. As with all E-Z Built carts that are not built exactly to the stock plans, some tinkering will probably be required to get the exact results you want.
Anyone out there from California that can help steer me in the way of a refrigerator that is small enough to fit inside body of cart without making work surface any taller than it is?
Anyone have or seen a surface mount refrigerator. It looks kind of like a steam pan, but its refrigerated
I’m trying to make as little extra work as possible.
Hi Steve. I am brand new to this. I am wanting to buy my sinks and my water heater today. and yup I am in CA. land of the strictest rules possible. Can you point to the right water heater and sinks.. much appreciated. Roberta
Hi Roberta. No worries, helping newbies is what this is all about. You are in good company and we’re glad you are here!
It all depends on your inspector. Did you show him the schematic drawing like it says to do in the “READ THIS FIRST” section. It is very important to meet with your inspector before you buy any parts and before you start to build your cart. He will tell you exactly what equipment he wants to see on the cart. That way you are guaranteed to pass inspection when the cart is completed.
Steve where do you get a nsf propane refrigerator. thanks Dale
Google it and you should find something Dale.
I’ve been having a heck of a time with this too – I can find propane refrigerators and NSF refrigerators but none that are both. Do you have any supplier recommendations?
So far I have not had any of my California students tell me that their inspector required an NSF refrigerator. Ask your inspector for a copy of the health code regarding food carts and read it yourself. You may have to politely educate your inspector (happens all the time). Good luck!
Now that I look more closely, I don’t see NSF as a requirement, either – perhaps I’ll push back on the inspector (politely and gently, of course). Thanks, Steve!
Right on!
Hi Steve – I just did some checking and it looks like my local jurisdiction requires the waste water tank to be at least 50% larger than the fresh water tank. Further complicating things: the fresh water tank must hold at least 5 gallons. Would a tank larger than a 7-gallon waste water tank fit in this cart? I’m having a hard time finding a water jug larger than 7 gallons that isn’t in the 11-12+ gallons range (at least online).
Hi Jared. My first question is are you sure that the waste water tank needs to be 50% larger, because the majority of health codes require 15% larger. I’m just wondering if you could have misunderstood. A 7 gallon tank is 15% larger than a 5 gallon tank which is why we recommend those sizes in the plans. If you do indeed need a 50% larger waste water tank, the easiest way to accomplish that would be to use two 5 gallon tanks and connect them with a section of hose near the top so that as one gets full it will overflow into the other. You should have plenty of room inside the cart body to accomplish this.
Hi Steve – thanks for the reply.
On page 2, item 17, they quote the 50% larger figure. I was surprised, too, as every other county in the area seems to require 15%, but hey, Marin County is a very, er, interesting place…
I think the two 5-gallon tanks would probably satisfy the requirement, but I’ll set up a meeting with the health department anyway and see what they say. Thanks again! I’m looking forward to getting started!
I looked at the link you forwarded Jared and it looks like you were correct. Good job!
i will build a cart to operate in bakersfield california is there and thing else needed for kern county
Hi Steve,
First, read the Carts of Cash book to find out how to deal with the health department. Second, take the California Schematic drawings down to your local health department and show them to your inspector. He will tell you how he wants the cart to be equipped in order to pass inspection. Do this before you buy parts and before you start building.
Welcome aboard Steve!
-Steve S.
Hello Steve
If I get the harbor freight trailer which is 40×48 how can I extend the cart to meet these spec? Will I need to get a longer cart?
Hi Eliud, you can make a longer hotdog cart using the 40″ x 48″ trailer. You will not have to extend the metal trailer frame. The cart body is strong enough that you can make it extra long and hang the extra length off the back end of the trailer frame. Just make sure that the trailer balances slightly tongue down when you are finished so that it will tow correctly.
You misunderstood me. I was asking a question to a potential problem… Will the fender and wheel interefere with the onboard refrigerator. From the scematic i see here on the California model the wheel and fender are directly in front of the place where I would be putting the refrigerator. Thus, how would the door open and close if fender and wheel are in the way.
The purpose of health department schematics is to be able to show the drawings to your health inspector for approval. They are not construction drawings. In this case you would have to raise the fridge up to clear the fender or move it. As with all E-Z Built carts that are not built exactly to the stock plans, some tinkering will probably be required to get the exact results you want.
Anyone out there from California that can help steer me in the way of a refrigerator that is small enough to fit inside body of cart without making work surface any taller than it is?
Anyone have or seen a surface mount refrigerator. It looks kind of like a steam pan, but its refrigerated
I’m trying to make as little extra work as possible.
Here are some electric cooler/freezers
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=dometic+cooler&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true
Walmart has a 1.7 cubic ft one that will work.
Hi Steve. I am brand new to this. I am wanting to buy my sinks and my water heater today. and yup I am in CA. land of the strictest rules possible. Can you point to the right water heater and sinks.. much appreciated. Roberta
Hi Roberta. No worries, helping newbies is what this is all about. You are in good company and we’re glad you are here!
It all depends on your inspector. Did you show him the schematic drawing like it says to do in the “READ THIS FIRST” section. It is very important to meet with your inspector before you buy any parts and before you start to build your cart. He will tell you exactly what equipment he wants to see on the cart. That way you are guaranteed to pass inspection when the cart is completed.