Laying out my BBQ Vending/Catering Trailer

[PaulstheRibList]

Well, I'm trying to think through the issues on workflow, capacity, smokers...and it's a lot to think about! I'm sure after I cooked on one a few times, I'd make wiser decisions. So we'll keep working at it! Any of you rockin Pitmaster peeps who have owned, cooked on, etc. a vending trailer can surely give me some wise counsel!


I love stickburning! The Myron Mixon Smokers use a big water pan, allowing you to burn sticks and still have the full length of the cooker, right to left, for the food rack. This means more space on the rack for arranging food, more top shelf space where the beloved briskets would not get dripped on by anything else, and the firebox accessible from the front of the cooker.

Here is the layout with the Magnum Sniper, the large, 3 level stickburner from Pitmaker.



Isn't this fun!

I'll add more commentary this afternoon. Off to work and to shoot my new pistols!

[jecucolo]

I don't know anything about catering. I like the set up 2 and where you have your sinks. I would need counter space at sink area. I would also like to access wood from inside trailer-stock from outside access from inside. Maybe that is the plan.

[_John_]

Not sure about your local codes but our department of health is very strict on these, therefore there are very few possible layouts. Before you invest too much make sure you aren't going to do something not allowed.
Where I live you have to provide expected menu, a layout just like above etc. you would at least want to run that through first.
But you may have already done all that!
The ones I have seen here have a very similar setup, they keep cuts in the CVap that are up soon, they will slice a brisket or pull a butt or two into a pan and cover with plastic wrap and put in a warmer. The popular one here has a little scale on the counter, they make sure they weigh every portion to make sure they are giving you what you paid for (and controlling expenses!) There are only 2 trucks left out of about 5 that have come through, all the others failed due to speed, they just didn't have it setup to get through a line quickly, there are 2 to 3 in the trailer now, one processing orders and one making food, and usually a runner to restock, move CVap to warmer, smoker to CVap etc.