Pitco Fryer delayed ignition

[fireandice]

Hey Scott,

You may be experiencing a flame carry over issue where the far end burner is failing to light every time. I would pull the burners and make sure they are clean and aligned properly. Good Luck.

[olivero]

IF your igniter is on it’s way out the door, it could be it, depending on if it’s spark or hot surface.

I’ve seen failing hot surface igniters cause delayed ignition, not really spark though I imagine it’s possible.

[nafets47]

I would verify the gas pressure to ensure it is the range called for by the manufacturer, then check to ensure that your blower fan is not dirty.

My dishwasher was doing the exact same thing. Working fine and occasionally would go “bang.”

From what I understand it is a build up gas that has not yet been ignited and also from what I understand there is a reason it is not igniting which would either be the gas or the air not mixing correctly if the remainder of the parts are in fact working correctly.

[nafets47]

I just saw you said the gas is good. Check the blower.

[nafets47]

Also as a point regarding the blower, you should take it apart. Mine looked good and didn’t really have drag, but upon inspection there was grease in the fan blades which was inhibiting air flow for my fryer and on my dishwasher some of the factory paint came loose and was inhibiting air flow.

Wish I knew this before getting into it further than I had too.

[ectofix]

There’s no blower on that Pitco fryer.

[nafets47]

Wow. Thought all has fryers or gas ignition equipment had them. Good to know.

[harwar]

if it only happens on the first light up of the day, try checking the gas pressure during the first start up. The valve might be sticking or not opening fully.

Assuming you have checked or replaced the pilot orifice or burner

[ectofix]

Along with what others have said, I’ll add another thing to do.

FYI: The burner design on those Pitco Solstice fryers requires that they be removed and cleaned during PMs. The reason is that the diffuser screen making up the burner face can capture fuzz and grease…like an air filter would. After all, when it’s burning at a 10:1 air to fuel ratio, the burner’s air inlet acts like a vacuum cleaner (albeit, a weak one at that).

I encountered this problem many years ago when a customer said they would occasionally hear their fryer go BOOM!…and go to find that the fryer door had gotten blown open.

What I suggest you do is:

Remove all of the burners Soak them in a mild degreasing solution for about twenty minutes Backflush them by blasting water into the screen end Air dry and re-install

Here’s a picture of the burner when removed:

[scottm]

Yep, that’s the first thing I did was pull and clean. (Had another fryer with a hot spot on top of fryer right above the gas orfice due to dirty burner). Still getting a BOOM every now and then. Of course never when I’m observing it. Wondering if one of the outer burners or both is causing the delay. Not sure how the outer burners are ignited since there is no tube that I can see. Unless that is what that small perferated bracket between the burners is? Thanks for everyone’s comments and help. I’m a Commercial HVAC/R tech now responsible for the casino’s kitchen equipment, somewhat of a learning curve.

[fixbear]

Make sure to check behind the burners and the chimney for carbon or other obstructions I’ve seen several things get placed on the back and drop in like scrapers and screwdrivers.

[fixbear]

There are many different designs for fryers. Even within brands From Pilot ignition to intermittent, natural to draft induced, fire tubes to infrared and direct heating. And if you ever run into a ultimate with there high volume, high efficiency heat exchanger and 150 pounds of shortening, you will appreciate what is being designed. Oh yea, I forgot the pressurized ones like Henny Penny that they like to call broasters. Amazingly moist product from them.