Hot dog steamers are welcome alternatives to the hassles and health hazards associated with deep fat fryers, grills and broilers. All steamer machines demand is a plug, a small reservoir of water and the flick of a switch. Internal controls can automatically or manually adjust for the humidity and temperature for hot dogs, sausages, or bread buns.

Perhaps the most recognizable type of steamer is the hot dog cart. These hot dog steamers are small enough to place on a portable wheeled cart and can be brought anywhere hungry people might be located. An internal battery keeps the machine running for at least two or three hours at a time, or an electrical cord can be extended into any available standard household plug.

If there is no electrical source of energy, smaller sterno hot dog steamers can be put in their place. Sterno fuel cans are common heating sources for catering companies made up of a combination of water, gel and denatured alcohol. These are opened up, lit by a match, and placed under a pan of water to steam-cook and warm up hot dogs for hours at a time.

High Capacity Hot Dog Steamers

When high volume is demanded by a large group of customers or guests, it is essential that the right steam cooker be purchased or rented. Hutch-style hot dog cookers are perhaps the best for the job, as they cook the dogs vertically rather than horizontally. Up to 250 hot dogs and 40 buns can be readily accessed at any time through the top cover door and enjoyed at a moment's notice.