| |
Main
Date: 07 Jun 2006 08:51:06
From: Taka
Subject: Mobile Coffee
|
Hello Coffee People,
There was an article on this group recently about some Australian's
who are doing Mobile Coffee. I did a day's worth of searching Google
concerning this topic. It's big in OZ, UK and seems to be hitting New
Zealand. There is a guy in Idaho who converts vans. I've been asked to
look into starting this type of business here in Denver. There are many
"Coffee Shop Consultants" but no one seems to have any great insight
into this type of business. Any insight or pointing to other resources
would be greatly appreciated.
Taka
|
|
| |
Date: 08 Jun 2006 04:23:33
From: Danny
Subject: Re: Mobile Coffee
|
Taka wrote:
> Hello Coffee People,
> There was an article on this group recently about some Australian's
> who are doing Mobile Coffee. I did a day's worth of searching Google
> concerning this topic. It's big in OZ, UK and seems to be hitting New
> Zealand. There is a guy in Idaho who converts vans. I've been asked to
> look into starting this type of business here in Denver. There are many
> "Coffee Shop Consultants" but no one seems to have any great insight
> into this type of business. Any insight or pointing to other resources
> would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Taka
>
Although I'm in the UK, so my solutions may not suit you, take a look
at the first site listed below, which chronicles the building of 2
mobile espresso trailers and my business.
--
Regards,
Danny
http://www.gaggia-espresso.com (a purely hobby site)
http://www.dannyscoffee.com (UK advert for my mobile espresso service)
http://www.malabargold.co.uk (UK/European online ordering for Malabar
Gold blend)
swap Z for above characters in email address to reply
|
| |
Date: 07 Jun 2006 16:48:27
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Mobile Coffee
|
sounds like a great plan, bernie,
and eco-friendly, too! next a diesel generator running veggie??
Dave
bernie wrote:
> Taka wrote:
> > Hello Coffee People,
> > There was an article on this group recently about some Australian's
> > who are doing Mobile Coffee. I did a day's worth of searching Google
> > concerning this topic. It's big in OZ, UK and seems to be hitting New
> > Zealand. There is a guy in Idaho who converts vans. I've been asked to
> > look into starting this type of business here in Denver. There are many
> > "Coffee Shop Consultants" but no one seems to have any great insight
> > into this type of business. Any insight or pointing to other resources
> > would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Taka
> >
>
> I'm currently in the process of converting a '88 Chevy box van to a mobile espresso bar. The plan
> calls for converting to Waste Vegetable Oil to fuel the 6.5ltr diesel engine. Internal power will
> come from a 6.5kw Onan generator. Equipment will include a LM Linea 2AV, Fetco CBS 51H brewer,
> Ditting 804, various three compartment sinks, handwash sink, reefers, holding tanks for clean and
> dirty water, storeage compartments, work surfaces, etc. The exterior will be a blazing billboard for
> the company. I am awaiting the arrival of fuel tank components from JC Whitney and a 6-port solenoid
> valve to get the fabrication started on the fuel conversion. WVO holding barrels and filtering will
> be done at our warehouse where we have room for about 200 gallons per batch. Costs?
>
> '88 Chevy van - $4800.
> Equipment - $1000.
> Exterior graphic - $4000.
> Fuel Conversion- - $1200.
>
> I've built two espresso carts previously so am familiar with the layouts. I've been trained
> formally as a diesel mechanic so am familiar with the diesel side and conversion. Been running a
> retail roastery I built for 8 years. Obviously the equipment cost is misleading. The majority of the
> equipment is fully depreciated equipment we own and have in reserve. If I had to go out and buy new
> or even used and have stuff fabricated the equipment and interior costs would be way, way up there.
> Since the van is going to be used to promo the business and taken to remotes and prestige events we
> want it too look first class. I could just get some vinyl lettering made from our logo and put on,
> but that wouldn't convey the message we want. Tomorrow I'm on my way to Albuquerque to pick up a
> Coldelite Carpigiani 502G to make gelato in large batches. I'm talking to a refrigeration genius
> about placing a 6pan gelato freezer in the van. If I were to only work on this project I extimate it
> would take about 2 weeks of intense work. I'm hoping to roll it out by ober.
> As far as insight I have none.
> Bernie (buy it, fix it, try it)
|
| |
Date: 08 Jun 2006 09:18:44
From: Brent
Subject: Re: Mobile Coffee
|
Being in NZ...
Trailers are expensive - as you have to have food grade finish to get health
/ food certs, which isn't bad - as food grade is usually stainless which is
easy to clean.
The equipment is then on top of that.
In NZ it seems to be about 50 / 50 as to how the unit is built - van or
trailer. The office servicing guys tend to use vans, the events people tend
to use trailers or converted caravans... my prefernece would be a vehicle
mounted one, but I am lazy and the thought of hitching a trailer...
Brent
> Hello Coffee People,
> There was an article on this group recently about some Australian's
> who are doing Mobile Coffee. I did a day's worth of searching Google
> concerning this topic. It's big in OZ, UK and seems to be hitting New
> Zealand. There is a guy in Idaho who converts vans. I've been asked to
> look into starting this type of business here in Denver. There are many
> "Coffee Shop Consultants" but no one seems to have any great insight
> into this type of business. Any insight or pointing to other resources
> would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Taka
>
|
| |
Date: 07 Jun 2006 10:29:18
From: Robert
Subject: Re: Mobile Coffee
|
So when does this "A" Team van make its maiden voyage & when will it be
in Houston?
Robert
bernie wrote:
> Taka wrote:
> > Hello Coffee People,
> > There was an article on this group recently about some Australian's
> > who are doing Mobile Coffee. I did a day's worth of searching Google
> > concerning this topic. It's big in OZ, UK and seems to be hitting New
> > Zealand. There is a guy in Idaho who converts vans. I've been asked to
> > look into starting this type of business here in Denver. There are many
> > "Coffee Shop Consultants" but no one seems to have any great insight
> > into this type of business. Any insight or pointing to other resources
> > would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Taka
> >
>
> I'm currently in the process of converting a '88 Chevy box van to a mobile espresso bar. The plan
> calls for converting to Waste Vegetable Oil to fuel the 6.5ltr diesel engine. Internal power will
> come from a 6.5kw Onan generator. Equipment will include a LM Linea 2AV, Fetco CBS 51H brewer,
> Ditting 804, various three compartment sinks, handwash sink, reefers, holding tanks for clean and
> dirty water, storeage compartments, work surfaces, etc. The exterior will be a blazing billboard for
> the company. I am awaiting the arrival of fuel tank components from JC Whitney and a 6-port solenoid
> valve to get the fabrication started on the fuel conversion. WVO holding barrels and filtering will
> be done at our warehouse where we have room for about 200 gallons per batch. Costs?
>
> '88 Chevy van - $4800.
> Equipment - $1000.
> Exterior graphic - $4000.
> Fuel Conversion- - $1200.
>
> I've built two espresso carts previously so am familiar with the layouts. I've been trained
> formally as a diesel mechanic so am familiar with the diesel side and conversion. Been running a
> retail roastery I built for 8 years. Obviously the equipment cost is misleading. The majority of the
> equipment is fully depreciated equipment we own and have in reserve. If I had to go out and buy new
> or even used and have stuff fabricated the equipment and interior costs would be way, way up there.
> Since the van is going to be used to promo the business and taken to remotes and prestige events we
> want it too look first class. I could just get some vinyl lettering made from our logo and put on,
> but that wouldn't convey the message we want. Tomorrow I'm on my way to Albuquerque to pick up a
> Coldelite Carpigiani 502G to make gelato in large batches. I'm talking to a refrigeration genius
> about placing a 6pan gelato freezer in the van. If I were to only work on this project I extimate it
> would take about 2 weeks of intense work. I'm hoping to roll it out by ober.
> As far as insight I have none.
> Bernie (buy it, fix it, try it)
|
| | |
Date: 07 Jun 2006 11:41:27
From: bernie
Subject: Re: Mobile Coffee
|
Robert wrote:
> So when does this "A" Team van make its maiden voyage & when will it be
> in Houston?
>
> Robert
>
>
If it is ready by ober I'll be very happy. It will never make it to Houston. The gearing in
the rear axle prevents it running faster than about 58mph. Which is plenty fast for a top-heavy box
van. But I will post photos.
Bernie
|
| |
Date: 07 Jun 2006 11:15:16
From: bernie
Subject: Re: Mobile Coffee
|
Taka wrote:
> Hello Coffee People,
> There was an article on this group recently about some Australian's
> who are doing Mobile Coffee. I did a day's worth of searching Google
> concerning this topic. It's big in OZ, UK and seems to be hitting New
> Zealand. There is a guy in Idaho who converts vans. I've been asked to
> look into starting this type of business here in Denver. There are many
> "Coffee Shop Consultants" but no one seems to have any great insight
> into this type of business. Any insight or pointing to other resources
> would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Taka
>
I'm currently in the process of converting a '88 Chevy box van to a mobile espresso bar. The plan
calls for converting to Waste Vegetable Oil to fuel the 6.5ltr diesel engine. Internal power will
come from a 6.5kw Onan generator. Equipment will include a LM Linea 2AV, Fetco CBS 51H brewer,
Ditting 804, various three compartment sinks, handwash sink, reefers, holding tanks for clean and
dirty water, storeage compartments, work surfaces, etc. The exterior will be a blazing billboard for
the company. I am awaiting the arrival of fuel tank components from JC Whitney and a 6-port solenoid
valve to get the fabrication started on the fuel conversion. WVO holding barrels and filtering will
be done at our warehouse where we have room for about 200 gallons per batch. Costs?
'88 Chevy van - $4800.
Equipment - $1000.
Exterior graphic - $4000.
Fuel Conversion- - $1200.
I've built two espresso carts previously so am familiar with the layouts. I've been trained
formally as a diesel mechanic so am familiar with the diesel side and conversion. Been running a
retail roastery I built for 8 years. Obviously the equipment cost is misleading. The majority of the
equipment is fully depreciated equipment we own and have in reserve. If I had to go out and buy new
or even used and have stuff fabricated the equipment and interior costs would be way, way up there.
Since the van is going to be used to promo the business and taken to remotes and prestige events we
want it too look first class. I could just get some vinyl lettering made from our logo and put on,
but that wouldn't convey the message we want. Tomorrow I'm on my way to Albuquerque to pick up a
Coldelite Carpigiani 502G to make gelato in large batches. I'm talking to a refrigeration genius
about placing a 6pan gelato freezer in the van. If I were to only work on this project I extimate it
would take about 2 weeks of intense work. I'm hoping to roll it out by ober.
As far as insight I have none.
Bernie (buy it, fix it, try it)
|
|
