Basic Operation

For controls and indicators information, refer to CFA Controls and Indicators.

  1. Fill the reserve oil tank. See Filling Reserve Oil Tank.
  2. Turn the power switch to on. The unit automatically enters a melt cycle until the oil temperature reaches 230°F (110°C). After reaching 230°F, the heat remains on until the oil temperature is 5°F below set point.
  3. If upon initial start-up, CLOCK SET displays, do the following:
    1. Set the clock to your time following the prompts on the display. See Clock Set.
    2. The control may ask if the oil is NEW or OLD when first turned on depending on special circumstances the fryer may have encountered when it last powered off or was reset.
    3. Press button 1 if the oil is new, and button 3 if the oil is old.
    4. Use the up and down buttons to set the age of oil in days.

    Note: The controls automatically offset the oil temperature higher than set point temperature for new oil. As the oil ages, the temperature of the oil decreases to match the set point temperature.

  4. Once the fryer exits melt at 230°F (110°C), the wait LED flashes until the oil is 5° below set point temperature (plus any offset temperature).
  5. The control prompts STIR VAT when the temperature of the oil is slightly below set point. Carefully stir the oil to avoid splashing using the removable basket handle. Thoroughly mix the oil by stirring it from bottom to top, clockwise and counter clockwise. If the control prompts to STIR VAT additional times, continue stirring until the prompt disappears.
  6. Once the controls detect a stir, the timer will count down. Continue stirring during this time.
  7. Unit will return to flashing the wait LED. When vat has heated or cooled to cooking temperature, the ready LED illuminates and the first product shows in the display.
  8. Best Practice: Before loading product, make certain the ready LED is lit as this indicates the oil is at the correct cooking temperature. This helps prevent under or over cooking.

    Note: The heat cook cycles on and off near the set point temperature to help prevent overshooting the set point temperature (proportional control). The control automatically offsets the oil temperature higher the set point temperature for new oil. As the oil ages, the temperature of the oil decreases to match the set point temperature.

  9. If the oil was not filtered the night before at shutdown, perform a daily filter prior to cooking. Refer Daily Filtering.
  10. Follow the steps in Chick-fil-A’s training materials to load the product.
  11. Press a desired product button to start a cook cycle. If cooking on the left side of the vat, select a left product button. If cooking on the right side of the vat, select a right product button. The display counts down the cooking time on the side the product button was pressed.
  12. Note:

    • Press the info button to view the current oil temperature.
    • To stop a cook cycle, press the timer button.
    • Cook times may count down faster or slower than real time, compensating for oil age, product weight, product temperature, and other operational variables.
  13. At the end of the cook cycle, an alarm sounds, and the display flashes DONE. Press the timer button to stop the alarm.
  14. Follow the steps in Chick-fil-A’s training materials to unload the product and check for doneness.
  15. Before frying next load, allow for oil to reheat and the ready LED light.

Manual Mode

  • This allows the operator to quickly program a time and press temperature for nonstandard products that are not on the menu card. This is to be a temporary setting and disables most of the advanced features of the controls. Use the following instructions to enter Manual Mode:
    1. Once out of the Melt cook cycle, press the program button then the timer button.
    2. Use the up or down button to set cook time.
    3. Press the program button and use the up or down button to set temperature.
    4. Press the program button to start Manual Mode. MANUAL displays.
    5. Press product selection 2 to exit Manual Mode.

    Information Button Status

    Note: If not button is pressed within five seconds in any of stats mode, the controls revert back to normal operation.

    For controls and indicators information, refer to CFA Controls and Indicators.

    Menu Stop

    Description

    Actual Oil Temperature

    Press the Info button one time and the actual oil temperature for each vat displays.

    Set Point Temperature

    Press the Info button two times and SP along with the set point (preset) temperature of each vat display.

    Remaining Cook Cycles Before Filter Lockout

    Press the Info button three times and the number of remaining cook cycles before Filter Lockout displays.

    • This count resets to 5.00 after performing an Express Filter.
    • Each full basket of product cooked decreases this value by approximately 1.
    • Each half basket of product cooked decreases this value by approximately 0.5.

    Average Cook Temperature

    Press the Info button four times and Average Cook Temperature displays.

    Current Temp & Rate of Temp Rise Press the Info button five times and Current Temp, Probe Reading, and Rate of Temp Rise displays.

    Today’s Date

    Press the Info button six times and Today’s Date displays.

    Probe Temperature

    Press the Info button seven times and the following displays:

    • P= Protection Probe Temperature
    • L= Level Probe Temperature
    • Main Probe Temperature