Refrigeration?

dickcory1

Found some matches.
Joined
Apr 17, 2014
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Honey...
We've begun the process for starting our BBQ Vending/Catering business and have been in touch with our local health inspector. She told us that a refrigerator was not required and that we could use coolers with ice. That said, we're curious what others prefer.
We have a 7 passenger Nissan Pathfinder and are ideally looking at a Meadow Creek custom unit (pg 12 in the current catalog) and realize we will probably need an additional trailer to have room for tables, tents, among everything else. What we're trying to determine now is... Is it really necessary to also purchase a refrigerator and of course then the generator to run said refrigerator?? If we're not selling cold items, and all we need is to keep the meat cold until it's cooked, what's the point in a fridge?
Thoughts?
 
If the HD is okay with it and you are only storing raw meats then a fridge is just extra overhead cost.

That being said, it would also depends on what space you have available for ice chest(s) and length of time for raw products to be held in said coolers before the ice melts (ice ain't cheap anymore either).

If you are doing "cook on site" and/or "catering drop-offs" then I would suggest going with the coolers and ice to save on initial capital outlay. You can always upgrade to a fridge/generator later if you feel it would improve your operations.
 
The kitchen we use has a lot of cooler space so we just use theirs.

However we do a lot of farmer market stuff (bacon, jerky, sausages, containers of BBQ, etc) and for that we transport in this: http://www.whynter.com/productdetail/refrigeration/portable_freezers/309

We have debated using it for on site cooks too however have not ran into that scenario. However in order to prevent cross contamination we would probably just transport from kitchen to site in coolers.

Works very well and can be ran off of the cigarette lighter or regular outlet.
 
We have a double fridge on our trailer and wouldn't go back to coolers. Less mess, dont have to buy ice. Consistent temps. And when you get home you just plug it in and hold food till the next event. Usually a few days for us. We sell a few cold sides and drinks though. Also keep frozen fries and onion rings in there as well and then transfer back to the freezer when we get home.
 
Depends where you are. In CA if you operate under a temporary food license (tff) it is ok to use coolers & ice. If you have a trailer or truck and have a mobile license, you can not use coolers, and need a 'fridge. The same goes for the smoker, under the tff, it is ok to cook outside on the smoker, but once you have a trailer, you must cook inside.
 
Id forget about the refrigeration and get yourself a bigger truck! ;)

Remember if your going to use a fridge, it has to be a COMMERCIAL fridge (by most HD's) which is a considerable expense.
 
Do it right from the beginning. Get a fridge, very important. Get a bigger truck and a vending trailer. Probably a good idea to get a big smoker too!
 
Get the truck, fridge and generator as soon as you can. Coolers are a pain and all it takes is a difficult visit and you are stuck tossing your product in the trash.
 
Back
Top