health department interruption

[shedone]

I an wanting to build smoker from 250gal propane tank. Called local health department an he is telling me won't work.he needs specs . Must bee commercial grade ? How do I find those. Please help, that phone call was enough to crush my dreams!

 

[daveomak]

shedone, afternoon and welcome to the forum....  Why did you go to the health department in the first place ???   Ask him for a copy of the necessary commercial spec sheet....  Are you a commercial business ??   Dave

 

[pgsmoker64]

Yeah...what Dave said.  There are hundreds of folks on this forum who have built smokers from propane/oil tanks..don't recall any of them checking with the health dept. first.

Bill

 

[shedone]

I am not a commercial business but that is what I am wanting to do eventually. So I was just checking with them before I built it, that way I would be learning to smoke on something I would be able to use later.

 

[fpnmf]

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/newsearch/?search=+250gal+propane+tank+build&type=all

 

[woodcutter]

Yeah...what Dave said.  There are hundreds of folks on this forum who have built smokers from propane/oil tanks..don't recall any of them checking with the health dept. first.

Bill

That's right! The moon don't shine every night, git her built!

 

[themidniteryder]

The HD laws here in California are weird. There is a state guideline called CalCode, supposed to be uniform state wide, but isn't. One county will let you cook onsite for a private party with no permits or inspections. It's private so they don't care. Others say nope, NO onsite cooking. And here where I am at, Riverside County, they are probably the screwiest of all. I recently emailed the HD to get specific answers to specific questions. One was with the cooker. I explained we use a side fire box horizontal smoker, and there were none available that are NSF approved, how would we be able to handle that. His exact reply: Regarding commercially approved equipment, you can contact your local office to discuss available/commercial equipment options with your local Plan Check specialist. I had included in my email that according to CalCode, the HD could give a variance on equipment if needed. They were not much help if you ask me. I plan to build my trailer to CalCode spec, draw a set of plans up, and when the time comes just take it in for approval.

I used to work in construction as a foreman and superintendent and I learned a long time ago it is easier to do something then ask the inspector forgiveness later rather than ask for permission and get shot down. If you ask them "Can I do this?" and get told no, then you have no hope of doing it. If you just do it and they say no, then plead your case and ask what mods they would be happy with. Usually you will get some variance from the rule seeing as how you already put your time. and money into the build. The trick to dealing with inspectors is to make them think you are giving them what they want, while at the same time getting what you want and making them feel it was their idea. As Dave said, get a copy of the rules. Then study them backwards and forwards to find the "loophole" so to speak. CalCode says an inspector can use his own discretion on custom equipment basically. So if they give me a 'NO" I point to that code and ask what we need to do to make him happy. He wants a minor change, I will give it to him and better than he wants. He sees me going a little above, he is happy and overlooks other minor things.

Going Legit is a PITA, and a little costly, but don't let it crush your dream. And don't go at it alone. Get friendly with some other local caterers and pick their brain. An occasional one will steer you wrong as they might not want new competition, but there are some good ones that will be more than happy to lend advice, or maybe even mentor. Good luck in your venture!!!

 

[cricky101]

I believe in MN everything used for public consumption has to be NSF approved. Even food trucks have to have a commercial kitchen where the food is stored/prepped. There may be ways to have special items (like smokers?) approved, but I'm not sure. There are plenty of places here that provide BBQ for catering (had one at my wedding last September) and they were fully licensed, so it can be done.

 

[peddler]

I feel we are regulating ourselves to death.

 

[bamaboy]

AMEN.

 

[roller]

Never call the HD>>>>Thats like call a Game Warden and telling him where your hunting !!!!!

 

[geerock]

They can take my smokers when they pry my cold, dead fingers from the wood chunks and thermo pen. :biggrin:

 

[shoneyboy]

The HD laws here in California are weird. There is a state guideline called CalCode, supposed to be uniform state wide, but isn't. One county will let you cook onsite for a private party with no permits or inspections. It's private so they don't care. Others say nope, NO onsite cooking. And here where I am at, Riverside County, they are probably the screwiest of all. I recently emailed the HD to get specific answers to specific questions. One was with the cooker. I explained we use a side fire box horizontal smoker, and there were none available that are NSF approved, how would we be able to handle that. His exact reply: Regarding commercially approved equipment, you can contact your local office to discuss available/commercial equipment options with your local Plan Check specialist. I had included in my email that according to CalCode, the HD could give a variance on equipment if needed. They were not much help if you ask me. I plan to build my trailer to CalCode spec, draw a set of plans up, and when the time comes just take it in for approval.

I used to work in construction as a foreman and superintendent and I learned a long time ago it is easier to do something then ask the inspector forgiveness later rather than ask for permission and get shot down. If you ask them "Can I do this?" and get told no, then you have no hope of doing it. If you just do it and they say no, then plead your case and ask what mods they would be happy with. Usually you will get some variance from the rule seeing as how you already put your time. and money into the build. The trick to dealing with inspectors is to make them think you are giving them what they want, while at the same time getting what you want and making them feel it was their idea. As Dave said, get a copy of the rules. Then study them backwards and forwards to find the "loophole" so to speak. CalCode says an inspector can use his own discretion on custom equipment basically. So if they give me a 'NO" I point to that code and ask what we need to do to make him happy. He wants a minor change, I will give it to him and better than he wants. He sees me going a little above, he is happy and overlooks other minor things.

Going Legit is a PITA, and a little costly, but don't let it crush your dream. And don't go at it alone. Get friendly with some other local caterers and pick their brain. An occasional one will steer you wrong as they might not want new competition, but there are some good ones that will be more than happy to lend advice, or maybe even mentor. Good luck in your venture!!!

 

[michael ark]

They make some pits that are nsf aproved. They are realy nice. I replaced a fan blade on a convection unit. Realy nice to deal with . I had my part in 2 days.http://www.olehickorypits.com/. Here code inforcement are stubborn but the can be bought.

 

[michael ark]

For set it and for get it the unit was 10 plus years old and abused by teenage cooks nightly. its a tank.