Can you run a hot dog cart indoors on propane? Yep. However you need to do a few things differently.
First, you can’t bring the standard 20 lb propane tank indoors. It’s against the fire code. However you can hook up your regulator to those small “throwaway” 1 lb propane bottles that are used for camp stoves.
Those are legal to use indoors and each one will let you run your cart for several hours, depending on how much you use the burners (check your local codes before taking action).
All you need is one of these special adapters that costs less than $20. I’ve included the Amazon link at the end of this tutorial. You can also get these at Walmart in the camping section.
Here is a photo tutorial using my personal E-Z Built hot dog cart. This is the setup I use whenever I’m selling indoors.
1. Unscrew the propane regulator from your 20 lb tank.
2. Screw the adapter into the regulator.
3. Screw on the 1 lb propane bottle.
I always carry one of these adapters in my cart along with a throwaway propane bottle, even if I’m not planning on working indoors. You know why?
As long as I have my adapter and a one pound bottle, I have a backup fuel supply.
This means I don’t have to carry a spare 20 lb tank anymore. When my main tank runs out I quickly switch to my one pound “throwaway” tank to finish out the day. On my way home I just exchange the empty 20 pound tank for a full one and I’m good to go.
This also means that if you are about to buy a new cart you don’t have to pay extra for the dual tank cages unless you really want them.
Here is the Amazon link for the adapter (or just buy it at Walmart in the camping section):
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-59213-Campfire-Propane-Adapter/dp/B00480BWA0/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1385133940&sr=1-2&keywords=propane+adapters
I hope you found this very helpful. Let me know what else I can do for you!
Steve
READ THIS FOR SAFETY. I used to think refilling these one pound bottles from a 20 pound tank was a good idea but after doing some more research I believe it to be potentially dangerous. If you really want to mess around with this you can find out how to do it on the internet but I don’t recommend it, nor do I do it myself. Just buy new bottles.
Steve do have any idea how to wind proof the box so that the flame on the stove would stop blowing out
Hi Don,
Wind is a pain for sure. You can make a baffle to go over the holes in
the fire box.
Get a piece of aluminum about three inches wide and long enough to
cover the holes plus six inches.
Make two L shaped bends in the aluminum and screw it to the firebox.
The L shaped bends allow space between the aluminum and the holes.
This should help.
A simpler solution is to point your cart into the wind so the firebox
holes are sheltered. This is what I do.
Steve
The city I will be operating in forbids any size propane tank indoors. I pointed out that big box stores use propane fork lifts but then was told you cant use any size propane indoors for food purposes. You can use butane stoves or electric only. Have any ideas?
Point out the fact that every Walmart has dozens of one pound bottles in stock on their shelves. See if that opens their eyes at all.
I had the same problem. Some stainless steel window screen cut in a strip and mounted across the vent holes will dampen the speed of the air flow and still allow combustion air. I got the idea from my home water heater.
Great tip Jim! Thanks.
Can anyone tell me where the code is that says we can run one pounders in doors … I have been through 3 fire depts. and apparently they don’t think its there job to determine this. I am at whit’s end with these guys .. does anyone know how to figure this out ..??
If you’ve been to three fire departments and they haven’t told you “No”, then it must be OK in their jurisdiction. Congrats!
Hmmm not sure if comment last week took …
First of all I have those carts from creative Moble …I just hang a towel over my handle over the whole length … It really dampens the wind .
Second these Fire marshals don’t want to even look for
The code .. So any help pointing them in the right direction would be appreciated
They don’t seem to use logic .. I pointed out every plumber walks in with a one pound bottle and a open flame
Hi Robert, We all encounter difficulties with the various regulatory bodies that we have to deal with when starting and running our businesses. Not sure what else I can tell you other than to explain to your contact at the gig that plumbers use those same propane bottles indoors every day and that the fire department has told you that they have no problem with it. Good luck Robert, I know you’ll make it work.
-Steve
no the problem is the halls want me to get there (the fire dept) approval in writing . the fire dept says that’s not our job … but we don’t THINK its a good idea!!! I say WHATTTTT! I have been a lighting engineer in automotive for 33 years… if you said you want blue taillamps I could tell you xactly where it says you cant do that
Ask if they need every plumber to get it in writing also. It doesn’t make sense.
Back in the hallowed half of Hot Dog U, Mark Reitman taught me that you can only expect about 1 in 3 of your customers to order a drink on their own, but if you ask, the percentage of people walking away with a can of pop goes to just over half.
I would agree with that.
Steve, Obviously things change and as of this date the Amazon link above for the 1 pound take adapter shows a price of approx $32.00 and says it will ship in 1 to 2 months. No need to panic as a little searching online and you can find them on Ebay for approx $8.00.
Thanks for the update Kevin!