Commercial kitchens are extremely busy places with multiple appliances being used around the clock to serve the customers. If you own a restaurant that specializes in fried items, you should know your commercial deep fryer is the most important equipment you own. Although commercial deep fryers are tough machines, they encounter problems too and to avoid problems, you should schedule deep fryer maintenance provided by commercial kitchen appliance repair services. But the bigger problem is not knowing how to handle the issues. Below are some common commercial deep fryer problems and how to fix and prevent them.
Fryer Pilot Light Won’t Stay Start Or Stay Lit
If you observe the pilot light has gone out, you should clean it before relighting or it can turn into a fire hazard. Over time, oil and grease build up on the pilot light. When enough of it builds up, the pilot light goes out. As a result, you will need to inspect it and use a soft cleaning brush or a cloth along with a cleaning agent to remove the accumulation.
But to do that, firstly, you should turn off the gas supply valve. Then, you will need to remove the burner head and clean it properly with a damp cloth. Plus, find the pilot light hole. Commonly, you can find it at the front end of the appliance.
You may also notice a small knob next to the hole. It is for you to adjust the flame. You should clean the parts near the pilot light too and also the knobs. After cleaning, turn on the pilot light using a match or a lighter to see if it works fine after the cleaning.
But that is just the tip of the iceberg. There are several other reasons the pilot light won’t start or stay lit. For instance, a closed drain valve or a broken thermophile may also prevent the pilot light from engaging. In such cases, get the assistance of an expert to safely fix the issue.
Burners Not Lighting
Commercial fryers usually come with multiple burners that are arranged in a star shape. This allows for even heat distribution while preparing meals. This means each burner needs to function properly to appropriately heat the oil for even frying.
But similar to the pilot light, sometimes, the burners fail to light up as well. The most common reason behind burners not lighting up is clogged burner ports and flameouts. Flameouts are when the flame suddenly goes out due to a loss of gas.
Meanwhile, clogged ports can occur if oil, debris, dirt, and dust tend to accumulate and block the ports, restricting gas flow to the burners. You can use a stiff mental brush to clean the fryer’s burners. If the burners still have irregular flames, the reason may be low or fluctuating gas pressure.
To troubleshoot the issue, you will need to consult an expert. You should avoid dealing with such situations especially related to gas as you can accidentally cause a fire or a blast. There is always a risk of injuries or accidents when working with gas. This is why you should trust an expert to help you in this matter.
Fryer Won’t Drain Properly
Draining a commercial fryer is important for safety and efficiency. Unfortunately, many business owners tend to ignore this fact which leads to complications down the road. Commercial fryers need to be drained regularly, which helps remove and prevent grease buildup over time.
At the same time, draining the fryer also prolongs its lifespan by reducing the chances of corrosion and other wear and tear. But, sometimes, commercial fryers fail to drain as well. Fortunately, it is neither a risky situation nor a complicated one.
To fix the issue, you need to locate the drain valve at the bottom of the fryer. If the drain valve becomes clogged, it leads to several problems. For instance, the oil not being able to make its way through the valve will most probably overflow. Additionally, a clogged drain valve will also lead to overheating as oil will begin to break down and produce harmful flames.
But, before you work on draining the oil, make sure you let the oil cool down and place a board to catch the oil. Otherwise, it will spill everywhere on the floor and cause slipping, which could also lead to serious injuries.
The only way to fix the issue is by cleaning or replacing the oil filter. To access it, you will need to consult the user manual. Plus, you can also try resetting the pump. If it’s not working properly, you will need to get it replaced.
Blocked drain is common in other commercial appliances as well like dishwashers. The causes could be clogged filter, grease buildup, clogged drain hose, or clogged drain line. So, you should check these or ask a commercial dishwasher repair Fairfax Station technician to inspect them.
Fryer Temperature Won’t Hold
Temperature is perhaps the most important aspect of frying food. Every food item is prepared at a specific temperature to ensure even cooking. If some foods are prepared at a low temperature, they become greasy. Moreover, many foods will burn from the outside and remain uncooked from the inside if the temperature is too high.
To ensure the fryer consistently cooks at the right temperature, you should get the thermostat calibrated regularly.
If the fryer is not able to maintain the temperature, it could be that the thermostat is not working properly. If the fryer was recently serviced, it might be that the expert forgot to calibrate the thermostat.
Make sure the thermometer is not facing any issues and consult a professional to calibrate the thermostat.
Fryer Does Not Turn On
Commercial fryers are mostly electric nowadays but still use gas to prepare meals. The advancement of commercial fryers means that modern fryers come loaded with safety and additional features. This means that if the fryer won’t turn on, it does not necessarily mean it is malfunctioning.
It could be due to a safety feature that is not allowing the fryer to turn on. For instance, you should check the circuit breaker and make sure it is in position. At the same time, check for blown fuses as well.
Alternatively, you should also check the ignition system which is commonly uses batteries to create a spark for tuning on the fryer. Although these systems are convenient to use but expensive when it comes to maintenance and replacement.
Therefore, in such scenarios where the fryer is not turning on, it is recommended to check for leakages or damages on your part but trust an expert to fix the issue. The reason is that it can take a lot of time and effort to troubleshoot the issue, which could be damaging to the business.
Conclusion
The key to owning a trouble-free commercial deep fryer is knowing where to look when a problem presents itself. As a general rule of principle, you should annually get the fryer professionally inspected and maintained. This helps prevent all the above-mentioned issues that could otherwise panic the employees and disturb your regular business operations. But in case of problems, call in deep fryer repair Clifton experts who can help you fix the appliance.
