Running a commercial restaurant is no easy task. Not only do you have to ensure that the food quality is consistent but also timely delivery. This is only possible if you look after the kitchen equipment and make sure they are always working without any complications. One of the most important appliances in a commercial kitchen is the deep fryer. It allows you to prepare meals within a short period. But, like other kitchen appliances, deep fryers can also run into problems and you may need to hire commercial appliances repair services. We will list down common causes of commercial deep fryer and how to fix them for you to be mentally ready if something unexpectedly pops up.
Temperature Problems
A commercial deep fryer cooks and prepares meals at high temperatures. Plus, they are designed to maintain the temperature for longer periods as the restaurant has to serve numerous customers at the same time. So, if for some reason, your commercial deep fryer is not able to achieve or maintain the desired temperature, you should know something is wrong.
The first thing you should know is that even though commercial deep fryers run on gas, they contain some components that are electric like heat sensors and thermostats. These components are designed to keep a check on the temperature.
Back in the day, commercial deep fryers had to be constantly monitored to prevent food burning. Today, the same deep fryers have evolved to become one of the smartest human inventions. But you should keep an eye for problems.
If the temperature problem relates to the burning of the food, you might want to check the thermostat. If the reading on the thermostat is fine, the thermostat may not be correctly calibrated. It can happen due to many reasons and one of them is recent service of the unit. So, call in an expert who can calibrate the thermostat. But if that does not solve the issue, you should replace the thermostat.
Blocked Burners
Blocked burners are another reason commercial deep fryers may struggle to perform. In most cases, blocked burners result in uneven cooking. The reason burners tend to become blocked or clogged is due to dirt, grime, oil, and dust accumulation.
You might think that commercial deep fryer burners do not need much cleaning and maintenance but you were wrong. If the burners are blocked, your food quality will significantly drop. This makes the burners one of the most important components as they are also directly linked to and affect the food quality.
The best way to prevent blocked burners is regular cleaning and maintenance of your commercial deep fryer. You can also train your employees to clean the deep fryer at the end of each working day. But professional maintenance will also go hand in hand every once in a while.
Malfunctioning Pilot Light
A faulty pilot light is among the most frustrating issues business owners have to face. If the pilot light is not turning on, it means the deep fryer needs repairs. Plus, the unit is not going to heat up to the correct temperature too. There are many reasons why the pilot light might malfunction, but the most common is the main gas supply valve.
The best way to ensure it is a problem is by checking the supply line for blockage. Yes, gas supply lines can choke due to dirt, dust, and debris over a certain period. If everything seems to be fine, you will have to check and replace the thermopile.
A thermopile is a heating element that turns thermal heat into electric energy and signals the pilot light to ignite the flame. While the thermopile may be easy to maintain, you should consult an expert regarding its replacement.
Circuit Breaker Issues
As mentioned previously, commercial deep fryers utilize gas to prepare and cook meals but the unit itself runs on electricity based on the smart features and options they come with nowadays. If you notice that your commercial deep fryer is acting weird in terms of shutting down unexpectedly or not turning on at all, you will need to check the circuit breaker along with relevant components like fuses.
The circuit breaker is designed to trip during electric fluctuation to prevent expensive electronic components from experiencing expensive and permanent damage. The last thing you would want is the commercial deep fryer shutting down just when you have customers waiting for their food.
That said, you can check the circuit breaker for a blown fuse or simply toggle it to the ‘On’ position. But, if the circuit breaker tends to trip frequently, it most likely means there is a power surge or a short circuit taking place somewhere.
This can happen with other appliances like your refrigerator as well so before consulting commercial refrigerator services Northern VA, check the circuit breaker or hire a technician who can inspect the breaker panel.
Frequent Repairs & Replacements
Most commercial business owners fail to realize the fact that commercial deep fryers like other equipment come with a certain lifespan attached. This means, no matter how well the unit is maintained, it will need to be replaced sooner or later.
The reason is that the components inside the commercial deep fryer become weak due to constant wear and tear and break down often. If your commercial deep fryer frequently breaks down, it means it has most probably reached its maximum. At this point, you should avoid spending on expensive repairs and replacements thinking it is relatively cheaper than buying a new unit.
Instead, you should save the money and invest it in a new unit. The general rule of thumb is that if the cost of repairs and replacements match or exceed the actual value of the unit, you should replace it.
Lack Of Maintenance
No matter how much it is stressed, this factor is still ignored by many commercial kitchen owners. Commercial deep fryers work 24/7 to prepare meals for the customers, which takes a toll on their performance and health.
With time, extreme temperatures, oil, and other factors accumulate in different areas causing performance issues. While you can train your employees to regularly clean the fryer, only a professional would be able to perform a thorough inspection and cleanup.
Professional maintenance is key to ensuring a smooth-running commercial deep fryer as it is not limited to just cleaning. Instead, it also focuses on inspecting any components that might need repairs or replacements. In other words, you are simply paying an expert to keep the troubles at bay.
And, it is worth the investment as it helps your business run smoothly. So, if you own a commercial deep fryer, make sure you get it professionally inspected and maintained frequently.
Conclusion
Most of the commercial deep fryer issues can be prevented if you run frequent inspections and perform regular maintenance. But you should also schedule professional maintenance to access areas that are sensitive and a bit risky and only hire expert deep fryer repair Springfield professionals for the purpose. Combined with the information mentioned above, it comes down to how much time and effort you can give the appliance to keep your it running trouble-free.
