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Food Service Equipment & Supplies/Questions Answered by Expert BML Consulting
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Cupcake Oven | 1/25/2012 |
| Q: I'm starting my own baked goods business, with main emphasis on cupcakes and need advice on which ... A: Actually the best oven is neither of the ones you listed. But before I answer your question I need ... | |
| exhaust | 1/22/2012 |
| Q: What kind of hood exhaust system do I need if with a floor fryer and a stove/range w/oven? THANK ... A: You will need a Type 1 grease exracting hood with an over-hang of 6" past the equipment on three ... | |
| food distribution business | 9/29/2011 |
| Q: my name is Connor McQuade and i am about to graduate from University of Colorado and thinking about ... A: Connor: Unfortunately this is a very complex question and one I'm not able to answer within the ... | |
| Fryer Issue | 9/3/2011 |
| Q: I have a mobile canteen with a propane heating system. The pilot light and tube work fine. THe ... A: Steve: So that I understand you correctly are you saying the burner tubes that heat the fry pot are ... | |
| Oven | 8/15/2011 |
| Q: I am planning to open a cupcake shop in a few months time. I will also be purchasing a back up ... A: Dedar Nadia: If you are referring to a stationary (versus revolving) deck oven you will experience ... | |
| Food truck conversion | 7/24/2011 |
| Q: I recently purchased a step van and was just wondering if you knew a location in the Washington DC ... A: Roman: I'm very sorry but I am on the west coast and have no idea who can do the conversion for you ... | |
| Ventilation for Electric oven/stove top | 6/26/2011 |
| Q: I am looking to open a small, quick service restaurant in San Diego County. Our menu will focus on ... A: Yes, you do need a designer to provide plans and calculations for submittal to the health dept and ... | |
| Hood / Ventilation Requirements for Mobile, Electric Oven. | 6/22/2011 |
| Q: I've been doing some searches on this subject and came across your very helpful answers. I had a ... A: Unfortunately your scenario won't pass muster with the health department: even re-heating proteins ... | |
| Ventilation for Electric oven/stove top | 6/17/2011 |
| Q: I am looking to open a small, quick service restaurant in San Diego County. Our menu will focus on ... A: Kayla: Obviously natural gas would be preferable over electric, if available. You could probably do ... | |
| Ventilation for Electric oven/stove top | 6/17/2011 |
| Q: I am looking to open a small, quick service restaurant in San Diego County. Our menu will focus on ... A: As a former resident of San Diego for 23 years I do have some familiarity with the local codes in ... | |
| Electric conveyor oven (pizza & subs) | 6/16/2011 |
| Q: Is there a requirement for an electric conveyor oven (Lincoln Impinger 1452) to be placed underneath ... A: David: No: a type II hood is for vapor exhaust (dish machines) so IF you are baking you wouldn't ... | |
| Electric conveyor oven (pizza & subs) | 6/15/2011 |
| Q: Is there a requirement for an electric conveyor oven (Lincoln Impinger 1452) to be placed underneath ... A: David: Any type of equipment that is doing primary cooking of product and produces "grease laden" ... | |
| setting up a small church kitchen | 6/2/2011 |
| Q: We are in the beginning phase of planning a church building (Montana) and I am interested in what is ... A: I can only answer part of your questions since answering all would take us beyond the scope of this ... | |
| Best oven for rapid, mobile baking? | 5/31/2011 |
| Q: and thanks in advance! I am outfitting a small food truck which will sell cookies, ice cream, and ... A: These questions are right up my alley because I used to represent manufacturers of convection, ... | |
| starting a concession trailer business | 4/16/2011 |
| Q: I am a 24 year old college student and decided to buy a small concession trailer to sell coffee and ... A: Chris: This is a lot of info to cover but I'll give you most of the answers you need as follows: 1. ... | |
| 20 ft Commercial Hood Need UL listing | 4/5/2011 |
| Q: I have a 20ft commercial hood and the sticker with all the info has been scrubbed off.... I need ... A: Kim: Somewhere on the hood should be a sticker or metal "badge" that shows the name of the ... | |
| custom moble kitchen | 3/18/2011 |
| Q: i am converting a 26ft u-haul into a mobile kitchen can i install the ventailation sysem my self or ... A: Aubrey: Foodservice ventilation is a tricky thing that requires both exhaust (removal of ... | |
| I.B.M. Dayton meat slicer | 3/16/2011 |
| Q: i was given a dayton meat slicer and was curious about age,value,etc......hope you can help ... A: It's made by Berkel who are still in business. I was unaware that IBM ever made meat slicers...it ... | |
| I.B.M. Dayton meat slicer | 3/16/2011 |
| Q: i was given a dayton meat slicer and was curious about age,value,etc......hope you can help A: I think this is only the second time I've ever heard of a Dayton meat slicer in 32 years within the ... | |
| Size of food truck to purchase | 2/19/2011 |
| Q: I want to follow my dream of being a business owner. I know food and would love to be a vendor in ... A: Joni: The short answer is: "Don't do it". If I had a dollar for every person that told me what you ... | |
| ventilation of a lp commercial convection oven | 2/8/2011 |
| Q: I am opening a shop in Uster County.Does a convection oven setup for lp need any type of special ... A: Jeanne: I have no idea where Uster County is located but if this is going into a building and you ... | |
| ventilation | 1/31/2011 |
| Q: I live in Pennsylvania and I am planning on opening a small deli. Would I need to install an exaust ... A: Unfortunately you will need some type of exhaust system since you are doing "primary cooking". ... | |
| oven | 12/17/2010 |
| Q: I have a small Electric Convection oven 1/2 sheet size and I have work in many of places that use ... A: Velma: It really depends which municipality you're in. I live in LA and for a long time they allowed ... | |
| nsf | 11/2/2010 |
| Q: I have a concession stand that i'm getting ready to open . Most of my equipment has the NSF stamp . ... A: "CE" is the Canadian equivalent to our "UL". UL stands for Underwriters Laboratory and they test ... | |
| building my own food cart | 10/21/2010 |
| Q: I am working on building my own cart, using a 6x10 trailer. I want to use a smoker grill ( walmart ... A: Bob: Not a good idea. First of all the requirements within most municipalities are even more ... | |
| hood range | 10/20/2010 |
| Q: i am opening a small bakery buisiness in a home based kitchen. i will be doing some whole sale and ... A: Chantal: I don't know what state you live in but most require you to comply with all health code ... | |
| food truck exhaust fans | 9/27/2010 |
| Q: I am looking into purchasing a used food truck with an 8' hood. i wish to replace the centrifugal ... A: David: I would try an industrial supplier like RJ Myers. You can Google them and they have a huge ... | |
| Pizza Dough and Par baked pizza crusts? | 9/17/2010 |
| Q: I am looking to start a frozen pizza business. I am looking for a supplier for pizza dough and/or ... A: David: I don't want to offend you but why don't you just give me the $50K and I'll give you back $5K ... | |
| Pizza Dough and Par baked pizza crusts? | 9/16/2010 |
| Q: I am looking to start a frozen pizza business. I am looking for a supplier for pizza dough and/or ... A: David: This is a huge question with few details available from you: 1. Are you planning to sell ... | |
| kitchen labs | 9/9/2010 |
| Q: I currently teach cooking at a high school in Washington state. For 30 years I have had kitchen ... A: I'm at a bit of a disadvantage because I do not know what the layout of your kitchens look like. ... | |
| Oven | 9/5/2010 |
| Q: I work on these commercial chicken ovens, and some of the ones I come across have very rock hard ... A: Joe: Although this really isn't my area of expertise I have seen a product at virtually every ... | |
| Commercial gas fryer | 8/27/2010 |
| Q: Does a two basket gas fryer need to be vented. It is beneath a commercial kitchen hood with an ansul ... A: Art: Yes: all commercial cooking equipment needs to be under an exhaust system with fire protection ... | |
| wrong oven, what now? | 6/15/2010 |
| Q: I'm wanting to know what do I do differently or do I get a dif oven for making cupcakes. I'm ... A: Tawnya: The dealer you bought this oven from sold you the wrong unit. If they were told you were ... | |
| concession trailer | 6/4/2010 |
| Q: i was wondering if you would know if i have to have a business license to sell if i already have an ... A: Jenn: My understanding is that you need to have a business license from your local municipality that ... | |
| The Sanitary Slicer | 5/19/2010 |
| Q: Iam Robert and i just bought a new Tavern called Lichty's Tavern and we found an old meat slicer in ... A: Robert: In my 31 years in this business I have never heard of a brand of slicer by that name. The ... | |
| kitchen hood | 4/25/2010 |
| Q: I was wondering if you need to install a hood to operate an electric rotisserie chicken grill(6-15 ... A: Generally speaking, any time you are doing "primary cooking" (raw-to-done) of grease-producing foods ... | |
| What would I need to build a concession truck? | 4/21/2010 |
| Q: I am trying to build a concession truck without having to spend a great deal of money. I have no ... A: Mellanie: This is a rather technical, involved question and if you're trying to do this on the ... | |
| ovens | 2/3/2010 |
| Q: Are there full size ovens that I don't need to ventilate? I'll be useing these for sheet trays etc. A: Jeff: Yes and No: it depends on the municipality you are in and the leniency of your health ... | |
| Commercial Kitchens | 2/1/2010 |
| Q: What is the requirements of Exhaust fans for kitchen equipment, is anything equipment under kW ... A: David: The requirements are dependent in part on the municipality where your business resides. ... | |
| electric oven and health inspector | 1/30/2010 |
| Q: I`m looking to rent a space in a food court at shopping center in Fremont,CA. I want to use an ... A: Why don't you contact Moffat (Google them for a phone number) and ask them for any documentation ... | |
| Design & layout of a concession area | 1/29/2010 |
| Q: My wife & I are building a roller skating rink in Jefferson, GA (roughly 50 miles North of Atlanta - ... A: Spencer: I'm sorry but I don't quote pricing. Have you contracted with that kitchen designer (i.e. ... | |
| electric oven and health inspector | 1/29/2010 |
| Q: I`m looking to rent a space in a food court at shopping center in Fremont,CA. I want to use an ... A: Mano: Unfortunately each health inspector has the latitude to authorize or deny the use of an oven ... | |
| electric oven without hood | 1/23/2010 |
| Q: I`m looking to rent a space in a food court at shopping center in Fremont,CA. I want to use an ... A: Mano: As long as you are only doing baking and not primary cooking (roasting) you can use a select ... | |
| PIZZA OVEN propane conversion | 1/22/2010 |
| Q: I just recently bought a gas deck pizza oven, and I am looking to convert it to propane> Does ... A: Mike: Not necessarily. If you have a bad burner and also need a pressure regulator the parts alone ... | |
| PIZZA OVEN propane conversion | 1/22/2010 |
| Q: I just recently bought a gas deck pizza oven, and I am looking to convert it to propane> Does ... A: Mike: No, it's not very expensive to convert your pizza oven. You'll need to contact either the ... | |
| food vending/home restaurant | 12/28/2009 |
| Q: I am extremely interested in starting my own business in the food service industry. I have several ... A: Diane: This is a HUGE subject and requires a great deal of detail. First off, no, you can't legally ... | |
| Meat Mixers vs Dough Mixers | 12/21/2009 |
| Q: I am currently looking at purchasing a commercial mixer that will mix dough as well as meat. As ... A: What you need is a vertical cutter mixer. There are several manufacturers to consider: Hobart Berkel ... | |
| Meat Mixers vs Dough Mixers | 12/20/2009 |
| Q: I am currently looking at purchasing a commercial mixer that will mix dough as well as meat. As ... A: I would not recommend a planetary mixer for mixing meat. However, depending on how much meat you are ... | |
| Find the righ suppliers | 11/8/2009 |
| Q: I currently own and run a small holiday cookie business. My busy time is around Christmas. This past ... A: The largest food service distributors nationwide are Sysco Foodservice and US Foods. Both of them ... | |
| Mobile food truck | 9/14/2009 |
| Q: My husband and I have a wholesale artisan cured meat business and would love to create a mobile ... A: Check out these sites for new and used catering trucks and trailors: www.cateringtrucksbyplano.com ... | |
| Mobile food truck | 9/9/2009 |
| Q: My husband and I have a wholesale artisan cured meat business and would love to create a mobile ... A: Sorry for the delay in answering but I was actually on vacation in your neck of the woods: Morro ... | |
| opening own buisness | 8/19/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could give me some information?My father and i are thinking about opening our ... A: If you and your dad have never been an owner/operator of a food service establishment my advice to ... | |
| starting mobile food business | 8/8/2009 |
| Q: i am starting a new business but i would like your input on creating a breakfast & lunch menu. I had ... A: This is a topic that holds great interest for me because if I were going to open a restaurant a ... | |
| methods of preserving perishable foods | 8/6/2009 |
| Q: I have problems with this question "Compare the various methods of preserving perishable foods." ... A: I'm going to take your questions in reverse: iii) The question appears pretty direct to me: they ... | |
| mobile food carts | 8/2/2009 |
| Q: what are some of the advantages of starting a mobile food cart vs a traditional food venue? ... A: This a rather open-ended question for which I could take in many directions. The obvious advantage ... | |
| old meat slicer | 7/16/2009 |
| Q: Some time ago, I've acquired Gear-driven/110V meat slicer. Specs: manufactured by "American Slicing ... A: Charley: Your vintage meat slicer probably has more sentimental value than actual value. Today meat ... | |
| Food Truck Business | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: My husband and I want to start a food truck business in SC. However, my husband is confined to a ... A: First of all I'm sorry to hear about your husband's injury. To answer youryes, it is possible if ... | |
| Equipment alternatives | 6/5/2009 |
| Q: I'm writing from Mexico to seek your advice on some alternatives for foodservice equipment. We are ... A: Hola Guillermo! OK, here are your alternate sources: Server: Nemco Gold Metal: Star ... | |
| Gas Grill Maintenance | 4/29/2009 |
| Q: BML Consulting, I just purchased a stainless steel grill and am concerned about some reviewer ... A: Michael: You're right: I did misunderstand. To answer your question the best product I've come ... | |
| Gas Grill Maintenance | 4/28/2009 |
| Q: BML Consulting, I just purchased a stainless steel grill and am concerned about some reviewer ... A: Michael: If this is for foodservice applications DO NOT under any circumstances use WD40 on the ... | |
| catering storage and transport | 4/20/2009 |
| Q: I am starting a Tea Party Catering Business, where I will be going into homes and catering the tea, ... A: I worked in catering for four years so I understand your challenges. The soft duffel bags won't ... | |
| Exhaust Hood | 4/9/2009 |
| Q: I have a mobile food cart and the health department is making us add an exhaust hood. they gave me a ... A: You will need to hire a mechanical engineer to do the calculations for you. It has everything to do ... | |
| plumbing | 3/24/2009 |
| Q: Iam hooking up a stove in a commerical kitchen i wont to use a commerical gas flex do i need to ... A: I can't speak to the regulations in NY since I live in California. However, the regulations in ... | |
| concession truck/business | 3/18/2009 |
| Q: I already know concession can be profitable, if you put the time along with effort and make sure ... A: This is a little outside my field because I would usually be answering the questions/hurdles you've ... | |
| bb vending truck | 2/11/2009 |
| Q: I live in Phoenix,AZ. I've overheard many people complaining that there aren't any good authentic ... A: My friend: It will be a costly investment to do what you propose so the "break even" or pay back ... | |
| concession stand start up | 1/18/2009 |
| Q: I was reading some of the questions and answers and one of the key points to consider before ... A: Brenda: I love to cook and if I had a dollar for every time someone told me I should open a ... | |
| How to start in Connecticut | 1/12/2009 |
| Q: We are very interested in starting a food truck business here in Connecticut, but we have know idea ... A: Yes, with a proviso. Each municipality is unique in their requirements. Here in Southern California ... | |
| 5 methods of food service | 1/10/2009 |
| Q: i have an assignment to research 5 different forms of service(ways in which customers receive or ... A: 1. Buffet Style: Self Serve Disadvantage: Limited food options/sometimes food not to temperature ... | |
| hello | 1/27/2007 |
| Q: and thank you in advance for your time. I live in a very small townm which is surrounded by 2 hours ... A: Hmmm: Your best bet is to either try contacting a National broad liner like Sysco or US Foods. They ... | |
| multiple propane appliances | 12/30/2006 |
| Q: I have done a lot of renovation to a trailer I am planning to use for foodservice and now am in the ... A: Typically the regulators are on the appliances because the water column pressure could vary ... | |
| equipment for Mobile Pizzaria | 12/20/2006 |
| Q: Greetings and thank you for your time. I wanted to ask what equipment is needed for a simple truck ... A: Happy holidays: I can give you all the information you need to do this. However there are lots of ... | |
| Startup cost | 10/30/2006 |
| Q: I am a student at Woodland high and we are doing a project that requires us to start our own ... A: Tough question to answer because there are so many variables: 1. What size restaurant: how many ... | |
| Hawaiin Ice Mall Kiosk | 10/16/2006 |
| Q: I have been researching different venues to open a small Hawaiin Ice Stand and after being rejected ... A: Sorry to take so long getting to your question. I'm not a good judge of where it would be ... | |
| sanitizers | 10/5/2006 |
| Q: I work for a company that supplies food display ware and our customers are asking for a ... A: You came to the right place: I can help you get to the bottom of your quest. While I am not an ... | |
| new business | 9/29/2006 |
| Q: looking to open a mobile pizza truck/trailer in massachusetts i need to know everything is there a ... A: Michael: This is a lot of info you've requested and I am not prepared to answer all your needs ... | |
| calibrating food themometor(pencil kind) | 9/22/2006 |
| Q: bargreen ellingson How do I calibrate ? A: Come on, now! You work for one of the largest restaurant supply firms on the west coast. Actually, ... | |
| Dismantling and moving of a walk in freezer | 9/9/2006 |
| Q: I am in the process of buying a complete ice cream shop and relocating all the equipment. The ... A: Most pre-fab walk-in box manufacturers use a panel system that fit together through a recessed cam ... | |
| can the world be fed? | 9/7/2006 |
| Q: i need to no this for my school topic. i need some postive and some negeative information on this ... A: Yes: We have more than enough land, technology and potential to feed the entire world. The ... | |
| Hot Dog Cart | 8/24/2006 |
| Q: Hey hi, well my name is Alondra Juarez and i am recently a highschool graduate who is seeking to ... A: Health code requirements are specific to the municipality you're in. In Los Angeles, which is one of ... | |
| Upfitting a Catering Kitchen | 8/14/2006 |
| Q: After 2 years of operating from our home (http://thebodysculptress.com/meals.htm) , we need to move ... A: Unfortunately within this format there isn't enough space for me to give you all the advise you will ... | |
| Snow Cone Carts | 7/10/2006 |
| Q: Where would you suggest buying a mobil cart? I have been all over the place looking for one. I live ... A: Robert: I can help you with this if you like. Or, if you prefer, you can pay retail instead of ... | |
| is it sanitary | 7/6/2006 |
| Q: is it a good idea for someone to be claening trash cans while they are cooking? A: I think you already know the answer to this question but assuming you sincerely want to know, the ... | |
| Hot Dog Cart feasability in Los Angeles | 6/22/2006 |
| Q: I've been thinking of investing in a hot dog cart but my research seems to say that it's not ... A: Removed answer | |
| hot dog stand | 5/31/2006 |
| Q: I just graduated college and am trying to start a little hot dog stand during the summer until my ... A: Amy: I'm sorry but I do not know of any companies that lease or sell used hot dog carts. Since I'm ... | |
| Fire damage to hood | 12/16/2005 |
| Q: I am seeking to retain the services of a consultant to assist in evaluating the fire damage repairs ... A: Sorry to hear about your kitchen problems. If it's a kitchen consultant you seek to help assess the ... | |
| vulcan af 30 floor mixer | 10/14/2005 |
| Q: mixer is in public school kitchen , vulcan no longer makes or supports , no manuals or info , bowl ... A: Jerry: Have you contacted any of the service agencies that contract for Vulcan? Most of them are so ... | |
| Beverage Managment System | 8/2/2005 |
| Q: We have a software/hardware solution for "Dispenser of beverage (Liquor, sodas, etc...)/Beverage ... A: I would suggest you contact the California Restaurant Association (www.cra.com) and ask them for ... | |
| educational culinary arts lab | 1/28/2005 |
| Q: I am interested in determining the approximate cost of establishing a food occupations laboratory A: I'm afraid you'll have to provide me with a lot more information to get a meaningful answer: 1. What ... | |
Food Service Equipment & Supplies
Answers by Expert:
BML Consulting
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I have 30 years within the foodservice industry as an equipment, supplies and fine dining consultant. I have worked for foodservice distributors and more than 50 equipment, supplies and top-of-the-table manufacturers within the Southern California marketplace. I have extensive experience and knowledge in the areas of heavy cooking equipment, front-of-the-house, fine dining, wine and tablewares. I am interested in giving back to the community that has assisted in my success and I am happy to offer my unbiased expertise to those in need of objective answers. I am also certified as a CFSP professional (Certified Food Service Professional) as a member of NAFEM.
Experience
Began career in 1979 at one of the nation's most prestigious distributors, RW Smith & Co. Recipient of Three "Top Gun" awards as the best salesman in the company.
Too many awards to list from manafacturers but among those: largest sale in three years for Ventmaster ventilation systems (more than 368 lineal feet of exhaust ventilation)for the Neveda Culinary Arts Academy; "Rising Star" for greatest sales growth in one year for all territories in the US on behalf of Service Ideas; Largest increase in territory sales for Franklin Machine Products for signing two restaurant chains to a corporate program. The list goes on...
Organizations
CFSP, NAFEM
Education/Credentials
BA, Clinical Psychology
MBA, Negotiation & Arbitration
Awards and Honors
Rising Star, Service Ideas
"Top Gun" (3 years) RW Smith
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