You are going to LoVe this!!! Hot Dog Cart News reader Brian Freeman is about to make your day. He writes…
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Hey Steve,
I really enjoy your tips and tricks. I need to do a better job at sharing. Here is a tip I can share if your members don’t know about already. 
I starting using the Reynolds oven bags or crock pot liners for lining my 1/4 pans that hold my melted cheese and chili. Big savings on time and effort when cleaning, and you can leave them in the pan for refrigerator storage. They can last 2-3 usages.
Brian Freeman
B Free Dogs
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Thanks for the awesome tip Brian!
Cleaning that cooked on goo off of the pans that hold the chili and cheese is truly one of the slinger’s least favorite things to do. Anything that helps with cleanup is a good, good thing my friend.
Important note: When re-using product, make sure to watch your temperatures. You need to get the food out of the “danger zone” (anything between 40 and 140 degrees) as fast as possible. If potentially hazardous food sits in the danger zone for over two hours, throw it out because bacteria grows rapidly in this temperature range. We don’t want any food borne illness issues!
Hey slingers, do you have any tips or tricks that can help your fellow dogger? Shoot me an email and tell me about it. I may feature you in a coming issue of Hot Dog Cart News.
-Steve
I am going to use pan liners from pansaver.com
they go up to 400 degrees. you dont want the cheaper ones that go only to 200.
another tips is, if you can afford it, get yourself a extra set of pans, or two.
this way you can go from one job or another in a flash. good for catering and parties.
Thanks for the tip on the tip Corey. It would stink to melt a pan liner while in use!
You can actually these at various restaurant supply stores online. They are usually called steam pan liners, and they come in all different sizes. They can be pretty costly, being as you have to order them in bulk, but I actually put all of my toppings in them, with the exception of cheese, which I put in a squeeze bottle & place right into the steam table to keep up to temp.
That’s how I do my gooey cheese too. It’s the least messy way that I’ve found to get the cheese on the dog. No drips. Thanks Dog Pound!
Me like!
Me too!
Man Im all for things that make it easier. Great tip.
Agreed. Easier is better.
Wow! Always looking to fine tune and streamline my operation…Will be using those oven bags starting this week! Cleaning those pans has been just TOO much fun…
Let me know how it works for you Russ!
In Texas, we sell a lot of Chile. So using the 1/2 pan is a must. Try Reynolds Oven Bags – Turkey Size. Use Turkey size (19″x23 1/2″) for the larger pan. Keep slingin!
Turkey size it, cool! Thanks Thunder.
Steam or oven bags; Does one add water to the steam pan and how much to maintain temperature control ? And will the bags hold-up under boiling conditions ?
Thanks for tip,
Buns ‘n the Sun
Hey Larry, Use your current set up, whatever that may be. The only difference is adding the bag for easy cleanup.
Hi this is to Dog Pound – what kind of squeeze bottle are you using. I might try a heavy mustard bottle good tip thanks.
B Free Dogs going out and picking up bags great tip.all you guys thanks.
Terry Dogs
Not sure what Dog Pound uses but I use a standard size squeeze bottle, except in clear so I can see that there is cheese inside it. How ’bout you Dog Pound?
Anything that keeps me from scrubbing chili pans is a good idea!
Indeed Astro!
Great tip. I used to do the same thing when I competed in chili cook offs.
All this talk about chili is making me hungry and it’s not even close to lunch time yet. Grrrr…..
Thanks a lot Dan. 😉
Hey, Thanks! That is a real good idea! I’ll try that next time I am cooking.
Let us know how you like it Gregory! Thanks for commenting.
Only here will you hear of these great ideas!!!! Always making our life fun….
Duggs Doggs
Good!! Good!!
Makes me what to carry chili
🙂
A major advantage of using “pan liners” is that back at the commisary, all you have to do is remove and toss the liner, rinse your pans, then sanitize. Cuts out 1/3 of the cleanup process especially for all that burnt on gunk.
Amen to that.
I just recently started using the oven liners for both the chili and the cheese and man, its a lifesaver when it comes to washing the pans out! The only real mess I have are from the ladles I use to serve them up. I definitely would recommend them!
Oh, ladles. When I first read your comment I thought you said “mess from the ladies”. I had a funny picture in my head mi amigo 😉
Hahaha. My thoughts exactly Steve. I was picturing all these ladies slingin cheese around. And why so many ladies? Wouldn’t just one suffice at a dog cart? Right on Esteban. Thanks for the laugh!
Good to know I wasn’t the only one ;-).
What do ladies and cheese have in common? You can never get enough of your favorite one.
Good one, Steve!
Hey, for anyone who doesn’t use the liners, I got a tip from someone who doesn’t even sling dogs. I was told to put dishwasher detergent and water in the pans and soak them for a while. (I do it overnight) The next morning it all just rinses off. I like the idea of the liners though. I might try it.
Hey, that’s worth a try. Sounds easy enough. Thanks Robin!
PS, I thought it was ladies too!:)
Cheesy ladies 😉
You can use crock pot liners too, a little cheaper, and a little thicker, so no melt throughs! Wanda Dixie Kitchen
Thanks Wanda!