20 Most Recent Imperial IFS40 Deep Fryer - Page 8 Questions & Answers

I think you need to replace the control to be on the safe side. Have you tried leaving it set on pilot and then blowing the pilot out to see if safty will still shut gas off. Thank you

If a standing pilot won't stay lit, the usual cause is a bad thermocouple. The thermocouple is a safety device with a probe that is kept heated by the pilot flame and produces an electric signal. Wires from the thermocouple connect to the main gas valve. If the thermocouple fails, the main valve shuts off gas to both the pilot and main burner. When you try to re-light the pilot, it goes out again as soon as you release the pilot button on the valve.

A new thermocouple is only $10 or so, and it's pretty easy to change. There are a number of how-to sites and videos showing how to change the thermocouple in gas furnaces and water heaters, and the process is similar in commercial ovens and fryers. Once you see what the thermocouple looks like and how it's installed in some other appliances, you'll be able to identify it in your fryer and see how to change it. That should get your frying again.

Disassemble the pilot light tube and blow out with clean compressed air from a compressor.
This should get rid of any residual water in there that is blocking the pilot light.

Also, check the thermocouple if so equipped to make sure its tip is in the flame once the pilot light tube is cleaned out.

Good luck on this repair.

This sounds like the temp sensor or it connections may be faulty. If its faulty the fryer never thinks it is up to temp and keeps trying to heat the oil. As you can guess this is a dangerous fault as eventually the oil can catch fire. You need to contact a repair service and get this fixed asap.

As well as the fire hazard your food will be either over done or greasy as the temps will be off. Turn it off, let it cool and drain it (good excuse to really scrub it out) and wait for the repair shop.

Hi,
Yes but it would not be economical to do it...it would cost more then sending it back for the correct phasing...to many things to convert and change...they may however be able to send you the proper heating elements and safetys, so that you can convert it...would depend on if the proper elements still fit in the same spaces provided...I would call the company and see what they want to do...

heatman101

I assume it is a gas model. There are 2 thermostats. One is adjustable, you set your temp, it sounds like it has gone bad.. The second thermostat is the high limit thermostat. When it reaches 450 degrees F, it will shut down the pilot and main flame to prevent a grease fire. It may be possible that someone has hooked the thermostat up wrong. Next time you fire it up, disconnect one of the thermostat wires that has the temperature knob. If the flame goes out, the thermostat is bad,

The pilot thermocouple needs replacing.

Hi,
Most fryers have a valve right inside the front door that you can place a bottle under and drain the oil right into it...
If not then get a small diameter plastic hose from a hardware store and siphon the oil out...**** the oil up the hose till it is over the side of the fryer, then hold the vacuum and drop the hose over the side and lower then the oil level and the oil will start to siphon out...

heatman101

Check the thermostat for continuity. Check the millivolt output for the pilot generator. Check the high limit for continuity.
If all these are correct... the fryer will light. Make sure you turn the gas valve to the ON position after lighting the pilot.
Tom

Lazy thermostat. There should only be about a 15 to 20 degree drop before the thermostat kicks back on. Replace the thermostat.

Tom

You can use a jumper wire to test the valve. The voltage is LESS than 1 volt so do not worry. Imperial fryers usually use a robershaw gas valve. the 2 outside terminals...left and right.... are where the thermostat connects. Using a jumper wire after the pilot is lit will tell you if the valve is good or if it's the thermostat. You can also use a multimeter and check the continuity of the thermostat.

Tom

Fryers use 2 types of stainless steel. Get a magnet and see if it sticks to the inside of the tank. If so...that is a lower grade of stainless. Use some steel wool to clean the rust spots and cover with vegetable oil. The tanks should be ok if you just bought them.
Tom

Have you checked the output of the pilot generator ? Make sure you have a good strong flame on the generator. Sounds like you need a new pilot generator. takes 5 minutes to replace...cost around 40 bucks.
Tom

Make sure the regulator assembly on the gas valve is for propane. Sounds like the gas pressure is too low and the flames aren't going into the burner tubes. Make sure they didn't install an appliance regulator on the back of the fryer. This is not needed as the fryer has a regulator on the gas valve. You can unscrew the cap on the regulator assembly and turn the plastic screw inside all the way in. DO not turn with alot of force. Easy does it.
Tom

VERY easy. First, remove the 2 small mounting screws holding the thermostat in place. These are located behind the knob so pull the knob off. Follow the capillary line from the thermostat to where it connects to the tank. there are 2 nuts to loosen. First, using a 5/16 wrench, loosen the small nut completely. Then loosen the other nut. Now.. inside the frying area the bulb at the end of the capillary line is mounted. loosen the screws holding it and now it is ready to be pushed down and out the hole in the bottom where you loosened the 2 nuts. Reverse the process to install the thermostat.
Tom

Turn the knob on the gas valve to the pilot position. Sometimes you have to slightly depress the knob to turn it..don't use a pair of pliers. In the pilot position.. push the knob in and light the pilot..keeping the knob pushed in for 30 seconds. Let go and the pilot should stay on. Turn the knob to the on position and set the thermostat.
Tom

1. Check to make sure you have continuity across the high limit terminals.( you can use a jumper wire for testing) Unit operates on about 1/2 of 1 volt so no worry of a shock. 2. Check to make sure your pilot generator is producing over 500 millivolts. Make sure the pilot orifice is clean and that you have a nice sharp pilot flame heating the pilot generator.
Tom

Sounds like an intermittent thermostat problem. You must make sure the millivolts are high enough or the thermostat can call for heat but the gas valve won't open. You must have over 200 millivolts reading when the thermostat is calling for heat. If the millivolts are good....replace the thermostat.
Tom