Well, howdy! Today I want to talk to you about one of the least glamorous, but super important parts of the street food business – clean up.

Now, if you’re in the vending business, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

You’ve got chili crusted onto pans, nacho cheese that seems to glue itself to the edges, and the whole ordeal feels like a punishment for a hard day’s work.

But here’s the good news – I’ve got some tricks that’ll save you hours on clean-up time and make your life a heck of a lot easier.

Let’s dive in!

The Pain of Cleaning Pans

Cleaning up after a busy day on the hot dog cart can feel like the worst chore in the world.

You’re tired, you’ve counted your money (which, hey, is a good problem to have), but now you’re faced with pans that look like a battlefield.

Helpful: Gloves And Money On A Hot Dog Cart

Chili and cheese have a nasty habit of leaving that burnt-on ring around the edge of the pan, and getting that off?

Well, it’s about as fun as a root canal.

But here’s the thing – it doesn’t have to be this hard.

If you’re looking to cut down on clean-up time, I’ve got a solution that’s been a lifesaver for me and thousands of other vendors.

The Secret Weapon: Pan Liners

I’ve been preaching about pan liners for years.

And let me tell ya, they’re a game changer!

The brand I’ve used forever is Pan Savers.

Now, there are a ton of other companies out there making these things, but Pan Savers has been my go-to.

Most of the vendors in our Vendors United Group swear by them too – they’re that good.

What Are Pan Liners and Why Use Them?

Pan liners are exactly what they sound like – a liner that goes in your pan.

They act as a barrier between the food and the pan itself.

So, when you’re cooking chili, nacho cheese, or any other messy stuff, it doesn’t stick to the pan.

Instead, it sticks to the liner, which you can just toss away after you’re done.

No more scrubbing.

No more crusty edges.

Just a quick toss, and you’re done.

Using Pan Liners with Direct Heat

Now, one of the questions I get a lot is, “Can I use pan liners over direct heat?”

That’s a great question, and the answer is a little more complicated.

When you’re using direct heat – meaning your pan is directly over the flame without any water bath – most companies don’t recommend using liners.

They’re designed for steam-type situations, like a pan-in-pan setup (kind of like a double boiler).

But, if you’re like me, you might be willing to push the limits a little.

I’ve used these liners over direct heat, and they work fine if you’re careful with the temperature.

But let me give you a little trick here…

Ben’s Trick: Spray, Add Water, Then Line

If you want to use pan liners over direct heat without melting them to your pan (which, trust me, is a nightmare to clean), try this:

1. Spray the Pan with Cooking Spray: Any cooking spray will work – you can even go with the cheap stuff from Dollar General. Spray around the edges and the bottom of the pan.
2. Add a Tiny Bit of Water: I’m talking just a teeny-tiny bit of water here. This creates a bit of steam and helps protect the liner from the direct heat.
3. Put the Pan Liner In: Now, lay your pan liner over the sprayed area. The spray and the small amount of water will keep the liner from sticking or melting.

This little trick has saved me a TON of time and frustration.

You can boil, steam, and heat up all kinds of stuff in the pan without worrying about ruining the liner or the pan itself.

Why Pan Savers?

You might be wondering why I keep recommending Pan Savers.

Well, they’ve just worked for me for years.

And they’re pretty generous too – if you want to try them out, they’ll even send you some samples for free.

Just call them up and say, “Ben said to send me some free ones.”

They’ll know what you’re talking about!

And if you don’t want to go directly to them, we offer free samples on our site too.

But really, it doesn’t matter where you get them from – just get yourself some pan liners.

You’ll thank me later!

How Pan Liners Save You Hours on Clean Up

Let’s face it, no one wants to spend hours scrubbing pans after a long day of vending.

With pan liners:

• You don’t have to soak pans for hours – just remove the liner and you’re done.
• No more burnt-on cheese or chili crusted around the edges.
• Save on cleaning supplies because you won’t need heavy-duty cleaners or scrubbing brushes.

And the best part?

You can actually enjoy the end of your day without dreading the clean-up.

Just toss the liner, rinse the pan if you need to, and you’re good to go.

Try It Out and See for Yourself

I know some folks are skeptical about new products or techniques, but trust me, this one’s worth a try.

It’ll save you time, energy, and a whole lot of frustration.

Helpful: Cut Clean Up Time In Half

And if you’re still on the fence, grab some free samples and test them out before you buy a whole case.

If you’re vending, whether it’s hot dogs, nachos, or chili, this little hack will change your life.

So, give pan liners a try, save yourself some time, and enjoy the extra freedom it gives you.

After all, who wants to spend their precious free time scrubbing pans?