I am trying to set up a vending trailer with a Cookshack 250. I have not seen anyone on here, who uses this cooker to vend.
Is there anyone who could give me some feedback on using this smoker as the main vending cooker?
Thanks in advance.

I'm not sure what you are asking, accent. Are you wanting to know if cooking bbq in a 250 works while it is ON a vending trailer, or are you asking if you can use a 250 to cook in order to SUPPLY a vending trailer?

Hi, accent,

I would recommend that you call John Shiflet at 1-800-423-0698 and ask him. He is our sales manager and he will not put the hard sell on you, he just loves to help people. (Some of them do become our customers, of course!) In the 23 years that he has been with Cookshack, he has helped thousands of people get set up in restaurants, catering operations, AND vending operations. I am sure he can help you.

Thanks very much for your interest in our products!

If you need extra info,you might try bbqforum.com.

Big Daddy,Dale Groetsma,has family down by us,and lives in Alaska.

He runs a pair of 250 s, around the clock ,for a month,at the Alaska state fair,and even offers to pay cooks from down here to come and work the event.

He also likes to talk of running them 24/7 at -40*.

There are others ,that John might steer you to,as well.

Accent

I am in the final stages of setting up a trailer for vending with a 250. One main consideration is that it requires 240 volts. I have a power splitter cord set up to tie into two separate 120 circuits if needed. In addition I have added a 10,000 watt 240 volt generator to run the entire rig, including the cookshack. I just got the Department of Housing and Community Development inspection process done and am doing final touches for health department inspection. I was planning on posting pics in a week or two after all the modifications, rebuilds, etc are done. It has been quite an experience buying an out of state trailer and getting it up to California codes! If you have any specific questions I'd be glad to add my 2cents. Good luck with it.

Jack

Thanks for all your suggestions. The information certainly helps.

quote:

Originally posted by hayman:
Accent

One main consideration is that it requires 240 volts. I have a power splitter cord set up to tie into two separate 120 circuits if needed.

Jack

Take it from me...
Do not rely on a 220 pigtail like this to always work. Remember that it has to plug into 2 SEPERATE circuits and you most likely are not going to know how their electricity is running. The only time I have had any luck using two seperate 110's to power our concession trailer is if they are both 50 amp circuits which is hard to come by in some older buildings.

I always have my generator as a backup plan.

Jim

How about trying the FEC300.
It runs on 110, also much less amps.

RandyE

Jim, RandyE:
That's where my head is now, thinking of the FEC, because of the 240V. I still love the idea of electric smoking, no hassles, less to break down, etc.
But I will be looking at the FEC 300.
Again, thanks for the info.

DO NOT try to tap into two 120 volt circuits unless you really know what you are doing! If the two 120 volt legs you are tying together are off of different transformers, you stand the chance of damaging your equipment, or worse. Unless your source is 120/240 volt, stick to the generator.

Thanks for the advice. I will be careful! The only time I plan on using the splitter is, for instance- catering smaller horse show events locally where I can hook to their shop outlets or to two house circuits. I figured as long as I stay on smaller drops from power company I would be o.k. (single transformer) I check to see that I have 220 (no stinger). I have done this at my farm shop while working on the trailer, tapping into two 20 amp 120 volt circuits. I have had everything on at once without overload problems. The other option I have used is a short pigtail to change configuration from the 4 pole 50A plug on the trailer to plug into a 30a dryer or 50 amp range plug. I live in the country, and most of my events will be small ones. The generator certainly is the simplist for hookup, but going without the noise will be nice when its doable.