How to Replace a Pitco Fryer Thermostat

If your customer’s Pitco fryer isn’t showing an accurate temperature reading, a faulty or damaged thermostat may be the cause. In instances like these, replacing the thermostat is the best solution. In this video guide, we’ll walk you through the process of how to replace the thermostat on a Pitco fryer so your customer can get back to frying.

Removing the Old Thermostat

• Step 1—Turn off the fryer and allow it to cool down.
• Step 2—Remove the two screws on top of the retaining bracket in the fry tank to access the capillary tube and bulb.
  • NOTE—Do not use a drill to unscrew the screws. Use a handheld screwdriver to avoid stripping the screws.
• Step 3—Locate the thermostat; the thermostat bulb will be bigger, and the smaller component next to it will be the hi limit. You can straighten them out for easier removal.
• Step 4—Remove the temperature knob, then remove the thermostat bracket by loosening the two screws that are located on the temperature control panel.
• Step 5—Disconnect the wires that are holding the thermostat to the bracket by unscrewing them.
• Step 6—Position the thermostat down at the bottom of the fryer, being careful as you maneuver it around the drain valve and bracket.
• Step 7—Remove the larger cap tube retaining nut, and pull the thermostat  capillary through the hole. If needed, you can guide it out through the hole through the top of the fry tank, which you may have to do if there’s any debris in the way.

Installing the New Thermostat

• Step 1—Take the new thermostat bulb and position it inside the mounting hole at the bottom of the fry tank. Push the thermostat bulb through the hole until the entire bulb is in the fry tank.
• Step 2—Screw the larger cap tube nut back into place, but do not fully tighten yet. This will help keep the thermostat bulb and capillary in place as you install them in the retaining bracket.
• Step 3—Install the thermostat bulb and hi limit in the retaining bracket that’s located in the fry tank. The thermostat bulb should be placed in the larger opening of the bracket, while the hi limit should be placed in the smaller opening. Be sure to hold the retaining bracket down firmly while hand-tightening the screws in place. Once the screws are in place, tighten them with a screwdriver.
  • NOTE—Do not allow the bulbs for both the thermostat and hi limit to directly touch the burner tubes. Doing so can cause the hi limit to prematurely trip, or produce incorrect temperature readings.
• Step 4—Underneath the fry tank, add a high-temperature thread sealant to the larger cap tube nut before screwing it into place. Hand tighten the nut first before using a wrench to fully screw it in.
• Step 5—Screw the smaller nut into the larger nut first by hand, wiggling the capillary tube as needed to get the nut to fully insert. Finger-tighten the nut, then take a wrench and turn it ¼ of the way.
  • NOTE—Do not overtighten the nut. This can cause the capillary to pinch. You can tighten the nut further if you notice oil beginning to drip from the opening. If oil is dripping from this area, tighten the nut another quarter turn until the dripping stops.
• Step 6—Route the thermostat cap tube back into place, then reattach the thermostat wires. Be sure to fully tighten the screws onto the wire connections.  
• Step 7—Reinstall the thermostat bracket into the temperature control panel, then place the knob back on. Be sure to place the knob in the OFF position.