Note: Troubleshooting tips are for certified technicians. If you are not a technician, please do not attempt to diagnose the unit. Please refer to these tips at your own risk; The Fryer Guy LLC is not responsible for any damage incurred.

 

Pilot Won't Stay Ignited

  1. Check Thermopile Millivolt
    1. Use multimeter on DC setting to check the millivolts. If thermopile struggles to produce millivolts, replace the thermopile. If 30 seconds passes and millivolts haven't reached 500mv, replace thermopile. Some combination gas valves require a minimum of 325-350mv for the solenoid to open and that's under a full load. Under no load 500mv is needed for operation.
    2. Check thermopile tip for soot or any kind of built-up substance, use a stainless-steel brush or fine grit sandpaper like emery cloth to clean the tip. 
    3. Check wiring and make sure nothing is grounded, no terminal connectors are loose, and the circuit isn't broken. 
    4. Check combination gas valve setting. Setting should be on pilot. 
    5. Verify flame is touching thermopile head. If flame is barely touching thermopile check the gas pressure coming in at the gas regulator if one is installed. Gas pressure should be 7 inches of water column. If this is good, the pilot flame can be adjusted at the combination gas valve. If flame pressure doesn't increase and the proper gas pressure is reaching the appliance then replace the combination gas valve.
    6. Check pilot flame for drafts. Make sure no fan is blowing directly on the fryer causing the pilot flame to weaver.
  2. Check High Limit
    1. Use multi-meter to perform a continuity test. Check between Common and Normally Closed. If the hi limit fails the test, replace component.
    2. Reset hi limit by pressing in the red button. Not all hi limits have reset buttons. If you are consistently resetting the hi limit, check grease temperature and make sure it's not exceeding the thermostat max temperature setting. If so, replace the thermostat. If not, replace the hi limit. 
  3. Check Combination Gas Valve
    1. If the thermopile is producing proper millivolts, hi limit is allowing the MV charge to pass, and the unit is weird correctly with no wire ground, replace combination gas valve. 
    2. Check combination gas valve setting. The knob should be set to pilot.

Pilot Ignited But Burners Won't Ignite

  1. Check Thermostat
    1. Use multi-meter to perform a continuity test on thermostat. If the thermostat fails the test, replace it. 
  2. Check Hi Limit
    1. Use a multi-meter to perform a continuity test on hi limit. Check between Common and Normally Closed. If continuity is not present, replace hi limit. 
  3. Check Gas Pressure
    1. Water Column requirement is found on the data tag. Best location for readings is the main manifold. If WC is lower than the requirement, the PSIG can be increased at the gas regulator behind the fryer or at the combination gas valve. A manometer is needed for testing. 
  4. Check Burners and Orifices 
    1. Make sure there is no built-up soot on the burners blocking the gas flow and check orifices for built-up dust, spilled grease, or soot. 

Fryer Is Overheating and Shutting Down Completely

  1. Check the Thermostat Calibration
    1. Use a thermometer to insert into the grease, set thermostat to a low setting and wait for burners to go out. Once extinguished, compare the thermometer temp to the thermostat set temp. If they are off by many degrees, replace or recalibrate the thermostat. 

Fryer Is Shutting Down Prematurely

  1. Check Hi Limit Calibration 
    1. Once the grease has cooled to ambient temperature, insert a thermometer in the grease and set the thermostat to the lowest setting. If everything shuts down before set temp is reached, replace the hi limit. If set temp is reached, keep repeating the same steps until max temp is reached. If hi limit trips anytime during the process, replace it. If hi limit is functioning properly, troubleshoot combination gas valve and thermopile. 

Fryer Is Producing Excessive Soot

  1. Check Orifice Size and Gas Pressure
    1. Natural gas and propane gas have different orifice sizes. Verify correct orifice size and use a manometer to check water column.

Fryer Is Heating Slow

  1. Check Gas Pressure

                  a.) Check gas pressure at the gas regulator with a manometer. 7WC should be present for NG and 13WC for LP. If this is correct then check the gas pressure at the burners manifold while burners are ignited. Gas pressure should be 4WC for NG and 10WC for LP. If anyone of these pressures are off readjust them.

       2. Check The Burners

                  a.) The burners have very small orifices, make sure they aren't clogged or covered with debris. If excessive soot is built up around the orifices check the gas pressure, make sure the proper type of gas is reaching the appliance, and make sure the correct orifices is installed. 

      3. Check Baffles 

                    a.) The baffles are located in the fryer chambers, if they are completely destroyed or burnt out replace them.