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First conversation with health inspector: great news

42BBQ

42BBQ

is Blowin Smoke!
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Ill keep this brief. I talked to my local HD inspector today and got great news. I've been looking at dropping between $2000 and $4000 on a self contained, LP powered 4 bay sink setup for farmers market or roadside vending in PA. After some input from Tom Christine from Smoken Dudes I called my inspector.

My inspector said that all I need on site is a hand washing setup with water temps over 100 degrees and three basins/tubs for wash/rinse/sanitize. I don't need an HD certified kitchen as a base of operations. And I don't need an elaborate sink system on site. She also approved the idea of me setting up a three bay sink in my garage with a dedicated hot water heater for after event cleanup.

The plan right now is brisket, pork butts, and ribs from a Meadowcreek TS250. By the pound/rack or on Sammie's with chips and sodas as sides. Might add coleslaw and beans on the side down the line. Hoping to be off the ground in a year.
 
Around here a set up like that would probably get you thrown in jail. (Sigh.)
 
So I've heard, it's nice to go straight to the source and hear first hand what you do and don't need. She was extremely helpful and even suggested the 3 plastic bins setup herself to help me save money. So she's looking out for me too. Definitely a plus. Would $3000 sink be nice to have? Sure! But if I don't need it why get it?
 
hi 42bbq i live in lancaster and am thinking about doing some thing on the weekends any chance you would give me the name and number for her
 
MAsQUE is where we would be out here as well. But, good for you.

Personally, I much prefer a sturdy table and sink, I hate washing in tubs.
 
landarc said:
MAsQUE is where we would be out here as well. But, good for you.

Personally, I much prefer a sturdy table and sink, I hate washing in tubs.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the input. The plan right now is to have a very minimalist approach on site but have a full commercial three bay sink tied into main plumbing in my garage. Ill do most of my actual cleanup from a days work at home. The three basins would be more to satisfy an on site inspection then actual use in the field.
 
smokinturtle said:
hi 42bbq i live in lancaster and am thinking about doing some thing on the weekends any chance you would give me the name and number for her
Click to expand...

Hey buddy, missed this post initially, I'll have to dig it out of my desk in the morning but I will pass it on via PM.
 
42BBQ said:
My inspector said that all I need on site is a hand washing setup with water temps over 100 degrees and three basins/tubs for wash/rinse/sanitize. I don't need an HD certified kitchen as a base of operations. And I don't need an elaborate sink system on site. She also approved the idea of me setting up a three bay sink in my garage with a dedicated hot water heater for after event cleanup.

.
Click to expand...

Why would you bother setting up a wash station in your garage?
Where do you plan to cook? Where will you store your cold supplies?
I honestly think your inspector doesnt have a clue as to what they are informing you on.
 
Bbq Bubba said:
Why would you bother setting up a wash station in your garage?
Where do you plan to cook? Where will you store your cold supplies?
I honestly think your inspector doesnt have a clue as to what they are informing you on.
Click to expand...

The wash station in the garage is to make cleanup from an event easier. If I spend thousands on a portable sink setup, it will likely be so small as to barely be practical to even use on site. The basins on the self contained sinks that I've found seem pretty small.

The sink setup doesn't affect the rest of the overall safety plan I will have in place. The idea now is to transport the meat to the site on ice in coolers. I'll unwrap and prep everything on site. Ill do all my cooking on site. The pit I'll be using has a built in warming box above the firebox to keep finished meat at 160 and up. A combination of the warming box and cooler zones in the smoker will keep food ready to serve. I'll have a totally separate handwashing station with on demand hot water above 100 degrees. The guidelines seem pretty different from state to state so at this point I'm going to trust my inspector and follow her input and advice. However, I appreciate yours as well brother!
 
Any update on this 42BBQ?

I used to live in Red Lion and moved down to NC. I can tell you the HD in NC is completely different than PA. Consider yourself lucky.
 
No update right now, in a bit of a holding pattern, got a lot of stuff to line up. Insurance is my next project (at least getting a quote for it).
 
Pennsylvania, just looked up Servsafe class schedule. Probably will take one in December or January
 
My inspector told me today that the only sink I needed in my trailer was a single sink with drainboards and a handwash sink. I have rented a restaurant that has the triple sinks and she said I would probably be doing most of my cleanup there.
Thanks, Jeff
Sweetfire BBQ
 
Jeff Therrell said:
My inspector told me today that the only sink I needed in my trailer was a single sink with drainboards and a handwash sink. I have rented a restaurant that has the triple sinks and she said I would probably be doing most of my cleanup there.
Thanks, Jeff
Sweetfire BBQ
Click to expand...

Jeff,

What is a reasonable rate down there for kitchen time? Are you going by the hour or do you have another figure worked out? I don't mean to pry, don't need specifics, ball park numbers is all I'm looking for.
 
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