Basic Operation

NOTICE -

To avoid equipment damage, hold onto the lid as it opens.

The following procedures should be followed on the initial start-up of the fryer, and each time the fryer is brought back into operation from a cold or shut down condition. These are basic, general instructions.

  1. Ensure the COOK/PUMP switch is turned OFF.

  2. Ensure the drain valve and filter valve are closed.

  3. Remove the fry basket from the vat and leave lid up.

  4. Make sure the peanut oil is filled to the proper level in the vat; 1/4 to1/2 inch (6.4-12.7 mm) below level indicator line. See Filling or Adding Oil.

  5. Connect power to the fryer.

  6. On gas models, light the pilot light. Refer to Gas Pilot and Burner Operation.

  7. Turn the COOK/PUMP switch to COOK. Upon initial start-up “CLOCK SET” displays. Set the clock to your time, following prompts on the display, or see section 3-3 for help. Then, display asks if the peanut oil is new or old. The controls automatically adjust the peanut oil temperature to the age of the peanut oil. Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to set the number of days of old peanut oil.

    To avoid fire or excessive smoking: do not leave fryer unattended during Melt Cycle; do not bypass Melt Cycle unless oil completely covers elements.

  8. Unit automatically goes into the Melt Cycle, until the peanut oil temperature reaches 230° F (110° C). Then the controls go into the Heat Cycle and the peanut oil heats to a preset temperature.

    Once melted peanut oil reaches the proper level in the vat, the melt cycle can be bypassed by pressing and holding one of the Product buttons.

  9. Stir the peanut oil as it is heating up from a cold start. Be sure to stir down into the bottom of the vat.

  10. Once out of the Melt Cycle, the Wait indicator flashes until 5° before setpoint temperature ( plus any offset temperature). Then, the Ready indicators illuminate and the selected product displays.

    NOTICE -

    The heat cycles on and off approximately 10 degrees before the setpoint temperature.

    To avoid serious personal injury or property damage, do not exceed maximum product capacity and filter as recommended by manufacturer.

    Do not overload, or place product with extreme moisture content onto racks or in baskets.

    • 14 lbs (6.4 kg) is the maximum amount of product per PFE 500 full vat.

    • 12 lbs (5.4 kg) is the maximum amount of product per PFG 600 full vat.

    11. The oil level must always be above the heating elements and at the proper oil level indicator on the rear of the vat. Failure to follow these instructions may result in fire, severe burns, and/or damage to the fryer.

  11. If the peanut oil was not filtered the night before at shutdown, filter the peanut oil now. Refer to Filtering the Oil.

  12. Follow the steps in Chick-fil-A’s training materials to load the product.

  13. Close the lid quickly, latching the lid.

    To avoid severe burns, latch the lid and align the red knobs per manual instructions.

    The latch spring must be in good working order and properly installed, see illustrations below. If the latch spring is weak, broken, or mounted backwards, it will provide little force against the latch.

  14. Tighten the lid spindle clockwise, sealing the lid. Align the red knob on the spindle with the red knob on the latch.

    Burn Risk

    To avoid severe burns:

    • The lid handle must be fully latched prior to starting a cook cycle.

    • Do not lift the handle until pressure gauge reads 0 PSI.

    • Do not operate unit without all lid components installed and lid cover in place.

    • Do not tamper with any component of the lid’s locking mechanism.

  15. Press the desired Product button to start a Cook Cycle. The display counts down the cooking time. The cook times may vary, compensating for peanut oil age, product weights, product temperature, and other operational variables

    NOTE: To check the peanut oil temperature press the Info button. To stop a Cook Cycle, press the Timer button.

  16. Within a few minutes, the pressure gauge reading should increase to the OPERATING ZONE. If not, recheck the Installation and Operation procedures.

  17. Near the end of the Cook Cycle, the fryer automatically depressurizes. Then at the end of the Cook Cycle, an alarm sounds. Press the Timer button to stop the alarm.

    NOTICE -

    To avoid damage, do not flip or spin the spindle cross arm when opening the lid. Use both hands when turning the cross arm.

  18. After pressure drops to zero, turn the spindle counterclockwise.

    NOTICE -

    To avoid damage, do not allow the lid to hit the backstop with excessive force.

  19. Unlatch and raise the lid quickly to allow most of the condensation on the lid to drain through the drain channel and not into the peanut oil.

  20. Follow the steps in Chick-fil-As training materials to unload the product and check for doneness.

    NOTE: After the Cook Cycle, if the product needs to cook more, place basket back into vat and press Product button 6 for an additional 45 seconds of cooktime.

  21. Before frying next load, allow for the peanut oil to reheat and Ready indicator to illuminate.