Portable food cooler for shows.

[Sand Flat Bob]

We have run into a new problem with taking food products to shows. Several now require that any food product be kept at 41 degrees F. They charge a $20.00 food inspection fee and they do check with a thermometer the temp. I am looking for ideas on what device is available that is portable, 120 VAC is available, that can hold sandwiches at the temp. out in 100 degree heat. Also the device will be opened often to remove sandwiches. I don't think this is possible without using dry ice. Most devices I can find only cool about 45 degrees below ambient temp.

So I am open to suggestions on how to do this. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Bob

[Shinsan]

Sorry I can't helb Bob, but I'm curious....Is this just a way to 'encourage' people to buy food that is sold at the venue(s)? $20.00 is a hefty slug for any family that is trying to economise. (I suppose they have to inspect all bags that you tote, in case you're carrying weapons of mass carnage.) What would be the penalty for smuggling in a sandwich or two?

[fin29]

I use these:
http://www.acitydiscount.com/Cambro-....57438.1.1.htm



For hot foods--without any power or heat pads--you'll have a 1 degree/hold hour temp drop. I would assume that cold foods would have the same deviation...toward warm, of course. For cold foods, you use a Camchiller--which slides into the top pan slot and keeps food cold--found here:
http://www.acitydiscount.com/1ea-Cam....57446.1.1.htm



The other thing you could do would be to fill a commercial ice caddy with ice and place the sandwiches in hotel pans on top:
http://www.acitydiscount.com/Carlisl....12516.1.1.htm



Don't be tempted to use coolers. Inspectors hate them--too many nooks and crannies to clean, low level of insulation, and no wheels allow the food container to be in direct contact with the ground, also a no-no.

[blufford]

Bob, You are the one selling food at the venue, right? Would you have to have it (the food) displayed or could you store them in giant coolers filled with crushed ice?


Here is a link to a 12V portable freezer that chills from 0 to 40 degrees.

http://www.bigfrogmountain.com/engel/Engel%2065.htm

[Sand Flat Bob]

Originally Posted by blufford

Bob, You are the one selling food at the venue, right? Would you have to have it (the food) displayed or could you store them in giant coolers filled with crushed ice?


Here is a link to a 12V portable freezer that chills from 0 to 40 degrees.

http://www.bigfrogmountain.com/engel/Engel%2065.htm

I have looked at these as well. They are the closest device that would do the job I think. The fee is now put on at Wichita Falls and Fort Worth Texas. I think it is to discourage vendors at these show from competing with local restaurants and is a way to bring in more money from the fees and fines. They keep raising the cost of display space for vendors but try very hard to get our company to come and sell. I think the whole idea is to soak the vendors and their customers who has pay the increased cost. It is all about money.

I would tell them to shove it, but it is my wifes business that she has run for 15 years. Thanks for your input.

Bob

[Jim S.]

Bob, depending on how much food you will need to keep cool, Big Lots and like stores often have cheap 12VDC-powered coolers that will do just what you want. They are the size of a regular Coleman drink cooler. Now, if you have huge amounts of food, that's another story.

If that is the case, you might explore the fire extinguisher recharging businesses in your area. (WHAT???) Well, they often also make bulk dry ice pellets as a sideline, since capturing CO2 is a part of their biz to recharge extinguishers. So here's the deal...you build a cooler box out of plywood and foamboard, with a drawer at the bottom to shovel in dry ice pellets and shelves to hold your food.

Lemme tell ya, dry ice will solid freeze anything it touches. In the bottom of your new freezer box, it will cool it to the right temp and keep your stuff cool a long time. Experiment around, it might be a really cheap way to get it done, and it lasts a long time. Last I bought some, it was like $20 for two big coolers full. They lasted 3 days and still had some left over. You could back up to the place, load the ice in the drawer, then slide it in the box and be good to go.

[texican]

Originally Posted by Sand Flat Bob

I think it is to discourage vendors at these show from competing with local restaurants and is a way to bring in more money from the fees and fines. They keep raising the cost of display space for vendors but try very hard to get our company to come and sell. I think the whole idea is to soak the vendors and their customers who has pay the increased cost. It is all about money.
Bob

If the powers that be are in a 'discouraging' mode, what's to stop them from finding another way of discouraging you, after you comply with this requirement.

I'd guess there must be quite a bit of profit involved, if you can swallow a $20 'inspection fee'... figure there's booth fees too, right? As well as the cost of supplies, fuel, and time.

I've got relatives that set up booths at fairs and whatnot... one of the local one gets ?40 something? .... it'd take a lot of profit in artsy stuff to even pay for the booth... the onliest ones I ever figured were making money were the 'organizers' who got several hundred folks to give up 40 a table....

But, if the spouse gets to get out of the house, and enjoys it, I reckon that's all that matters, right!

[ladycat]

How about a solar or propane RV fridge?