How to Clean a Winston Fryer

Winston fryers help commercial foodservice kitchens produce some of the most beloved menu items, and to keep these fryers running smoothly they require regular cleaning. Keeping your Winston fryer clean is an important step in ensuring your equipment stays efficient and continues to produce delicious food products. Below are step-by-step guides to keeping your Winston fryer clean each day.

This cleaning guide is for the Collectramatic Series of Winston fryers, including open fryer and pressure fryer models PF46, PF56, LP46, LP56, OF49, OF59. Specific cleaning instructions for each type are noted where applicable.

Supplies List

• Gloves
• Spatula
• PTFE Brush
• Displacer Tool
• Basket Drain Hook
• Collector Removal Tool
• Cleaning Cloths
• Hot Water

Winston Fryer Cleaning

Both pressure and open fryers need to be cleaned daily. 

• Step 1. Power down the unit - Flip the switch to the off position. 
• Step 2. Remove crust - Use an OEM spatula to scrap the cookpot’s crust line. 
  • Note: Always wear OEM approved safety gloves when cleaning in or near the cookpot. 
• Step 3. Scrub the cookpot - Use the OEM PTFE brush to scrub the heaters, heater holders and entire cookpot.
• Step 4. Drain the fryer - Once the oil has cooled, drain the vat into a safe receptacle by opening the drain valve. 
  • Note: Consult your business-specific SOPs for recommended oil collection receptacles. 
• Step 5. Remove the heat plate - Once oil is drained, use the basket drain hook to remove the heat plate.
  • Note: Always wear gloves when reaching into the unit. 
• Step 6. Rinse the cookpot - Use the drained oil to rinse the cookpot interior. 
  • Note: Ensure your oil collection receptacle is under the drain when rinsing. 
• Step 7. Remove remaining oil - Use the displacement tool to push remaining oil up from the collector and out the drain.
  • Note: Don’t push the displacement tool too deep or it will fill with oil.
• Step 8. Close the drain - Turn the drain valve handle to close the drain.
• Step 9. Remove the collector - Use the collector removal tool and basket drain hook to remove the collector.
• Step 10. Empty the collector - Dump out remaining oil and debris from the collector. 
  • Note: Consult your business-specific SOPs for recommended oil disposal methods. 
• Step 11. Remove the lid gasket - For pressure fryers, remove the lid gasket. 
• Step 12. Wipe off the lid - For pressure fryers, wipe down the lid interior with a damp cloth. Then dry it with a separate, clean cloth. 
• Step 13. Remove the collector gasket - Carefully remove the collector gasket. 
  • Note: Before removing the gasket, either wait till the collector has fully cooled or wear heat-resistant gloves while handling.
• Step 14. Clean components - Use hot water to clean the collector, collector and lid gasket, heat plate, utensils and baskets. Then wipe them dry.
• Step 15. Clean the exterior - Use a damp cloth to clean the fryer exterior. Then dry it with a separate cloth. 

Pressure Fryer Cleaning

While step 15 is the end for open fryers before you reassemble the unit, there’s additional components on pressure fryers that need to be cleaned next:

• Step 16. Remove the muffler - Remove the muffler from the back of the unit.
  • Note: A muffler is only present on PF models. 
• Step 17. Empty the muffler - Dump out liquids and debris from the muffler.
• Step 18. Clean the muffler - At a sink, clean the muffler and then wipe it dry.
• Step 19. Remove the deadweight - Take off the deadweight from the back of the unit.
  • Note: Deadweight assembly varies between PF and LP models. Vent plates will only be on the PF models and need to be removed as well.
• Step 20. Clean the vent block - Wipe out the vent block and inspect it for any clogs. 
• Step 21. Clean components - At a sink, clean the deadweight and vent cover. Then, thoroughly dry it.
  • Note: For LP models, you will also clean the tube and inspect the O-ring at this time. 
• Step 22. Deep clean the lid - Remove and disassemble the fryer lid by following our instructions below. Then, thoroughly clean it. 

How to Disassemble & Clean a Winston Fryer Lid

Winston pressure fryers have a lid that needs to be taken apart and cleaned daily. 

• Step 1. Remove the lid - Once the fryer is off and cooled, remove the lid from the unit by lifting it up and away.
• Step 2. Remove the gasket - Carefully remove the lid gasket.
  • Note: Don’t tear or overstretch the gasket. 
• Step 3. Remove the retainer - Remove the lid valve’s retainer and spring from the interior side by twisting it off. 
• Step 4. Remove the valve - Remove the lid valve from the top of the lid by pulling it out. 
• Step 5. Inspect the o-ring - Inspect the lid valve’s o-ring to ensure it isn’t torn or worn out. 
  • Note: Replace the o-ring if it’s damaged.
• Step 6. Remove the handle - Remove the handle and lid lock assembly by sliding the handle out and lifting off the lock block. 
• Step 7. Clean the lid - Clean the lid and all removed components at a sink. 
  • Note: Thoroughly dry all components after cleaning.
• Step 8. Reassemble the lid - Reassemble the lid in the reverse order it was disassembled. Don’t install the lid gasket yet. 
  • Note: Use caution when reinstalling the retainer to avoid cross threading. 
• Step 9. Reinstall the lid - Reinstall the lid assembly onto the fryer and test that the locking mechanism is working properly. 
• Step 10. Lubricate the gasket - Use cooking oil to lubricate the lid gasket.
  • Note: Oil from a nearby cold fryer vat can be used to lubricate the gasket.  
• Step 11. Reinstall the gasket - Carefully reinstall the lid gasket with the seam in the 6 o’clock position. 
  • Note: Be careful not to stretch or tear the gasket. 

For more cleaning and troubleshooting information about your Winston fryer, explore our large collection of Winston manuals and diagrams.

Please contact a local factory authorized service agent who can help with this specific unit and all your commercial kitchen equipment needs.