anyone ever decided to rent out your cooker?

seattlepitboss

OK I have a confession to make. I built a horizontal offset RF cooker on a trailer, can do ribs for 100 people, powered by either wood or propane or both. I basically built it for a big BBQ I used to do in the summertime but I'm not doing that anymore. Recently I put together one of those drum smokers and I am finding it to be very handy for cooking for my family.

I don't want to sell my big cooker. But I thought I might make it pay for itself by renting it out. I was thinking of just removing the propane burners and setting it up as a stick burner only because of the potential of problems with propane. Other than breaking the glass on the firebox door I don't think they could hurt it much. I would probably charge a $100 cleaning deposit so it wouldn't be a big problem if they brought it back filthy.

Anyone ever do anything like this? I'm not sure, but I think there might be a reasonable demand for a cooker of this size in my area, especially in the summer.

seattlepitboss

k.a.m. · Posted: Sat Aug 25 12 10:49 pm Post subject:

Grant, there is no way I would rent one of my cookers out. With the time and money invested in it and little chance of recovery if stolen or wrecked a 100.00 deposit doesn't even cover my rods for my build.
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TrailerBuilder · Posted: Sun Aug 26 12 10:48 pm Post subject:

I would never rent out my personal cooker for anyone else to use and possibly do damage to. Just like Kevin said, there is way too much blood, sweat and tears in a personal build to see someone you dont even know who cares even less destroy it.

I have though, thought about building a tank so to speak of a cooker to rent out. Overkill everything and make it indestructable...but when I really get to thinking about that, the thought always comes to mind that the RMS Titanic was built to be unsinkable and look where she sits Shocked

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smootz · Posted: Mon Aug 27 12 10:13 am Post subject:

Both local party and tool rental centers in my area have their crappy cookers rented every weekend. They of course, have business insurance in case someone gets burned or pinches a finger in a door.

My concern would not be so much for the well-being of the cooker itself as for the liability suit when some tanked up dude burns his jimmy-john while showing his buddies how to put out the fire.

I had considered a rental fleet of "Propane Pigs" but after weighing the monetary returns against the aggravation I nixed the idea.
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ChuckieD · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 07 Oct 2009 Posts: 1129

seattlepitboss,
You could have a contract lawyer write you up a rental agreement (or rent a piece of equipment and borrow the legal). The agreement should have an agreement for full coverage of your rig, if the renter can't provide proof of coverage, you can sell them some short term insurance. Insurance co's would love you to sell their insurance for them. You can also get them to sign a liability waiver that protects your rental company, incase the user gets hurt, see a lawyer about the liability laws, they differ from state to state. A well written contract should protect you. I have worked for companies that rent stuff, its done every day bro! You can do it!

Now, with all that said would I rent out mine if I was you...
Heck, I don't know... I'm not you bro. Laughing

All kidding aside, I have thought about it, It's hard to find a smoker to rent in my country (Northern CA.).
Good luck if you decide to do it. Wink

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Baldwin BBQ · Newbie Joined: 20 Apr 2012 Posts: 43 Location: Baldwin, MI

I think that the only way I would rent out a cooker is if they also rented the services as a pit master along with it. Like everyone here says "No 2 pits are the same". More than likely they will have no idea on how to properly operate it without any experience with it.

ChuckieD · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 07 Oct 2009 Posts: 1129

Baldwin BBQ said,

Wreckless · Posted: Tue Aug 28 12 4:42 am Post subject:

Not on my watch.
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pyronoel · Posted: Thu Aug 30 12 3:38 am Post subject:

I've rented out my cooker for the last 2 years. It wears on it quickly. I just sold it last night.

I did make enough to pay for what it took me to build it.

Pit #2 is almost done, and I'm going to stop renting it out.

You are absolutely right about what is out there to rent, usually just plain jane or junk. Mine had everything everyone wanted- Grill, Smoker, Hot Water etc.

Surprising enough, the insurance to do it wasn't too bad- $1M liability, and insuring the cooker was around $700 a year.
Liability insurance also covered me for a handful of vending events per year as well.

You need to have your own inland marine policy to cover your cooker- Most car insurance covers liability on a towed vehicle, not the actual thing your towing.
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Mr Tony's BBQ · Posted: Mon Sep 03 12 8:52 pm Post subject:

I rent out my backup home made smoker for $100.00 a weekend, only to people I have some first hand knowledge of though!! Local rental place gets $88 for a POS pig coffin looking gasser, I give basic "pitmaster" advice, and charge extra for wood if they dont have access to their own.
I do have full coverage on all my equipment, but dont really think about that end as, like I said - if I dont know you, where you live, where you work etc, you aint renting my smoker!!!
I have also had people try to rent my vending trailer, my bread and butter money maker - NEVER GONNA HAPPEN!!
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