May 13-19, 2004

food

Sizzler, Unplugged

Ray To Go: Young's rugged Sundogger prototype has weathered several summers down the shore. By: Michael T. Regan

A local inventor gets hot dogs on the road.

by Alexa James

A hot dog vendor’s potential profit margin is huge. Folks will spend between $2 and $6 for an eight-pack at the supermarket, but fork over just as much for a single frankfurter from a concession stand or street vendor.

Sure, we can all gripe this summer about buying expensive wieners at the ballpark or the beach, but one local dad decided to do something about it. If his plan works, he could cash in on the hot dog market, too.

"My kids weren't real big on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches," said Robert Young of Swarthmore, so in 1996 he invented a cooking contraption his three sons could take with them to the beach. It's called the Sundogger, a solar-powered rotisserie capable of cooking up to six hot dogs or sausages at a time.

Here's how it works: The dogs are skewered on a rotisserie molded of PET plastic (government-approved for food). The rotisserie turns inside a plastic barrel. For his prototype, Young worked with an empty snack container, like the ones used to sell bulk animal crackers or cheese balls. The rotisserie and the motor that turns it are attached to the barrel's lid, which seals the cooker, keeping sand and bugs away from the meat. The 12-volt DC motor is powered by a solar panel the size of a playing card. You could purchase one at an electronics store. The sun's rays penetrate the upper half of the plastic container and bounce around inside thanks to a reflective lining (similar in texture to a windshield cover) that coats the bottom half of the barrel. The entire apparatus rests on a foam polystyrene base for added insulation.

It's not a terribly complex concept, but let's face it: Most of us quit making science projects after the sixth grade. That's when we discover the joys of procrastination, bitching and skipping Mr. Wizard to sleep in on weekends.

Not Young. The 47-year-old project manager and engineer at Premcor Refining Group in Delaware City, Del., is a habitual experimenter who frequently invents things that make his life easier. On weekends at the shore, you won't find him trudging to a surfside concession stand to wait in line for a two-star snack at five-star prices. He'll be dozing on his beach towel while his creation cooks his lunch. "You can set it and forget it," said Young. "In one weekend, it pays for itself."

On sunny days when temperatures hit the upper 70s, pressure builds inside the Sundogger (similar to that when opening a can of soda), roasting half a dozen wieners in about 45 minutes. The dogs are heated to temperatures as high as 142 degrees Fahrenheit. It's not speedy, but the Sundogger doesn't require a babysitter. Camping, boating, warm weather tailgates -- there's no open flame to worry about.

Since then, the solar-powered rotisserie has been a huge hit among beach bums at the Young's vacation spot in Cape May. Passersby would say: "You should sell those." " Why don't you market that?" "You ought to get a patent." Several years passed before, in 2000, Young decided to go for it.

He now has a U.S. patent and trademark. Last year, he partnered with Widener University to enhance the device's efficiency. To date, he's invested $15,000-$18,000 on his prototype. Patents, patent attorneys and trade shows don't come cheap, so to move forward, Young's next move is critical.

The Sundogger needs a manufacturer. It's had bites, but Young hopes to turn heads in Pittsburgh at this week's Invention and New Product Exposition. INPEX is the country's largest trade show. For $1,000, Young can set up a table to promote his product to distributors, manufacturers and venture capitalists. Last year, the Sundogger won the silver medal in the food and beverage category. This year's show, which runs May 12-15, also includes the INPEX Inventors University, a series of seminars and panel discussions designed to educate up-and-coming inventors.

Right now, Young's device is still just a whim that became a handy gadget that became a good story -- but who knows? One day, you may find yourself sprawled out on the sofa, channel surfing, when a neurotically chipper salesperson will suddenly appear on your screen, raving about a handy-dandy solar-powered hot dog cooker. You'll listen to the testimonials transfixed, dig out your credit card, pick up the phone and dial a toll-free SUNDOGR number, wondering, "Why didn't I think of that?"