If you're looking for hot dog equipment for a restaurant, convenience store, or outdoor vending operation, you want to find a cost-effective product. A hot dog grill or steamer can be a great way to offer those time-tested snacks to hungry customers, but you need to be sure you're getting the best deal for your business. Larger machines are capable of cooking and displaying more food at a time, but will obviously cost more.

This guide offers a look at the pricing and costs of hot dog machines in a variety of styles and help you find the model that's right for your company's needs. Hot dog machines come in a number of styles:

1. Smaller hot dog steamers and rollers can fit on counter tops.
2. For outdoor sales, hot dog carts are the way to go.
3. Save money on used or refurbished hot dog machines.
   

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Use a smaller hot dog machine to cook and display multiple hot dogs

A hot dog roller, steamer, or broiler can fit on the counter top in a restaurant or store and offer easy access to dozens of hot dogs at a time. Steamer prices start around $400, while rotating broilers cost between $700 and $1000. Quality hot dog rollers will cost anywhere from $600 to over $1000, depending on how many hot dogs it can cook at a time.

I recommend: Mission Restaurant Supply offers hot dog machines in a variety of styles and prices. Deuster Company provides discounted name brand hot dog rollers and broilers as well as accessories like condiment trays and bun warmers.

Purchase hot dog carts for outdoor sales

For sidewalk sales or festivals, you want a hot dog cart that can feed the masses. Smaller hot dog carts start around $2000, but deluxe carts that feature multiple grills or even a stand in area can range from $10,000 to $20,000. Vendors just getting into the business will probably want to invest in a small cart before working their way up to grander concession stands.

I recommend: Worlds Best Hot Dog Carts sells everything from classy sidewalk carts to large stand-in carts. TheHotDogCart.com features multiple smaller hot dog cart models for sale.

Get great deals on used hot dog machines

Even a small hot dog roller machine can cost you hundreds of dollars. If you're worried about costs, purchasing a used hot dog machine can be the way to go. While they may not offer the same reliability as a brand new model, the discount could save you hundreds of dollars.

I recommend: UsedVending.com sells all kinds of pre-owned and refurbished vending equipment, including hot dog carts. All American Hot Dog offers used carts for hundreds of dollars less than new models.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When considering the prices involved in a successful hot dog business, you need to consider all of the necessities beyond the hot dog machine itself. You need hot dogs, buns, and condiments, as well as serving tools, condiment receptacles, bun warmers, and napkins or trays.

Everybody loves to see the hot dog cart coming. Hot dogs are the all-American snack. They fit easily in the hand, require no grace at all to consume and can be wolfed down in a matter of seconds. Kids and adults enjoy them, and they're even better when you don't have to cook them yourself.

Purchasing a hot dog machine can boost your sales, whether you own a concession stand, fast food business or a freestanding hot dog cart. If you're looking at hot dog machines, consider the following:

1. Do you want a hot dog grill or a hot dog steamer?
2. What capacity do you need for your hot dog machine?
3. Do you want brand-new or used hot dog equipment?

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Purchase hot dog machines for your business

Having a hot dog grill is one way to keep your customers coming back. There's nothing quite like the taste of a grilled hot dog. While more expensive than hot dog steamers, a hot dog grill is a great option for a hot dog machine, and serves up a taste that is not like any other.

I recommend: Star Broil-O Dog Hot Dog Grill is available in two different models, one holding 36 dogs and 32 buns or a smaller hot dog grill that holds 18 dogs and 12 buns. Think about a hot dog roller for your business. The Hot Rod Hot Dog Roller Grill holds 20 hot dogs, with optional bun cabinets and sneeze guards available.

Please your customers with a hot dog steamer

When you're looking for hot dog equipment, a countertop hot dog steamer may be a less expensive option than a hot dog grill, and may also hold more hot dogs to help with the big summer crowds. A hot dog steamer is also a safer option than a grill if you have teenagers staffing your concession stand.

I recommend: Check out the Nemco hot dog steamer, which holds 150 hot dogs and 30 buns. The steamer comes in a version with a low-water indicator.

Make a venture into vending with a hot dog machine on wheels

Are you ready to take your hot dog business to the streets? Selling from a hot dog cart is a great business idea for city-dwellers.

I recommend: Buy the All-American hot dog cart in New York style or Chicago style from Sabrett Frankfurter Carts, America's top hot dog cart manufacturer.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Sell more from your hot dog machines by offering an alternative to the traditional hot dog, such as bratwurst, Italian sausage, or kosher options.

Hot dog machines can be a profitable addition to concession stands, convenience stores, restaurants, or sidewalk vending operations. Hot dogs are always a favorite quick and cheap snack, and hot dog equipment is easy to operate. Before purchasing the supplies for your hot dog business, understand some hot dog machine basics so you can find the right option for your company.

A hot dog maker can be small enough to fit on a counter top or a large cart, perfect for setting up on city sidewalks. Most hot dog machine suppliers offer options for serving buns and condiments as well as hot dogs. You can save space and money by finding a machine that incorporates both hot dog cooking capabilities along with bun warmers or dispensers and trays for ketchup or relish. Some of the main types of hot dog machines for sale include:

1. Hot dog roller grills
2. Hot dog steamers and broilers
3. Hot dog carts
   

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Find a roller hot dog grill to cook dogs to perfection

Hot dog roller grills are a great counter top addition in convenience stores or restaurants. These machines cook hot dogs all the way around by continuously rolling them, catching grease and preventing residue build-up. They are easy to use and offer the option of customer self-service. Roller grills are sold by a variety of concessions and food service vendors.

I recommend: Jarco, a concession stand supplier, offers a wide variety of hot dog roller grills, including slanted rollers and combination grills and bun warmers. Restaurant Equipment World sells hot dog roller grills from a number of leading manufacturers, including Nemco, Star, and APW/Wyott.

Save space with hot dog steamers or broilers

Steamers and broilers cook hot dogs simply and can take up mere feet of space in your business establishment. Steamers are perhaps the easiest way to cook hot dogs, plumping them in minutes and holding dozens of dogs. Broilers can have features like rotating racks, which both draw attention and make customer use easier by allowing self-service.

I recommend: My Popcorn Machine sells concessions equipment, and offers great deals on a variety of hot dog steamers. KaTom Restaurant Supply sells rotating hot dog broilers capable of cooking and displaying dozens of hot dogs.

Vend hot dogs anywhere with a mobile hot dog cart

Hot dog carts are ubiquitous--and profitable--sights at outdoor festivals, city streets, and sporting events. Hot dog carts can range in size but any cart worth its price will have a place to cook and heat hot dogs, room for condiments, and the ability to store buns. You can find a number of companies selling new and used hot dog carts online.

I recommend: All American Hot Dog sells hot dog carts in a variety of styles. American Dream Hot Dog Carts provides high quality new and used hot dog carts and offer excellent support and service on all models sold.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before purchasing a hot dog machine, check to see if it is NSF certified. NSF International is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that ensures standards for public health and safety, and certifies food equipment like hot dog machines.

Entering the world of hot dogs sounds like a delicious idea, but you need to be familiar with the terms when purchasing equipment. You should know the difference between a steamer and a broiler, as well as why you need a sneeze guard. Arming yourself with this knowledge can help you secure the best deals and get you started on your way to serving up hot dogs. Keep in mind certain key terms and their descriptions when searching for hot dog machinery.

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Roller grills and roller grill monitoring devices

Roller grills allow you to serve hot dogs from both sides of the grill, whether you do it as the business owner or allow the customer to select the hot dog. With a visual display, these roller grills sit on most counters and cook the hot dogs through a rolling process. Used directly in conjunction with roller grills is a monitoring device to track cooking times.

I recommend: Visit PatentStorm to learn about roller grill monitoring devices and how they work with roller grills for hot dogs.

Steamers

Billed as the best way to cook hot dogs, steamers are also easy to clean and operate. The steamers plump up the dogs in a matter of minutes and can cook dozens at a time. Buns can also be added to the steamers, ensuring that the buns don't get soggy.

I recommend: Visit KaTom Restaurant Supply and select the Buyer's Info tab to learn more about commercial hot dog steamers.

Broilers

Broilers can house rotating racks, which are eye-catching and can allow the customer to select the food without the assistance of an employee. Broilers are also called rotisseries, and although they may capture customers' attention, they require the most cleaning. Cooking time for hot dogs in broilers is about 15 to 20 minutes.

I recommend: Learn more about broilers from Cresco/Resco Restaurant Equipment and Supply. Scroll down the page to find the information that you need.

Hot dog carts

Take your hot dog business with you outdoors with hot dog carts. These easy-to-transport contraptions have wheels and a handle, allowing you to guide the carts through parks, festivals or sporting events. Most carts have plenty of room for the cooked hot dogs, buns and condiments.

I recommend: Check out Willy Dog Hot Dog Carts to learn more about how to safely operate your hot dog carts.

Sneeze guards

Sneeze guards prevents germs and other bacteria from attacking the cooked hot dogs. These are a sanitary necessity, with some local health codes requiring their use.

I recommend: Visit The WEBstaurant Store to learn more about sneeze guards.

Bun warmers

Bun warmers do exactly what they should: They keep the buns warm until a customer purchases a hot dog. Most customers desire a warm bun when they buy a hot dog. Bun warmers are ideal for stadiums, arenas, convention centers and fast-food establishments.

I recommend: Visit Jarco Industries and scroll down the page to learn more about bun warmers.