How to Use a Vulcan Fryer: A Step-by-Step Guide
Maybe it’s your first day on the job or the first day using your Vulcan fryer. Whatever the reason that’s brought you to this page, we can help guide you along and get your customers fed and on their way. Below we’ve broken down how to use a Vulcan fryer based on the model, as the start-up and usage instructions vary slightly between them. So, no matter which Vulcan fryer you have, you can find out how to use it in the sections below.
How to Light the Pilot on a Vulcan Fryer - LG & GRM Models
The LG and GRM Vulcan fryer models require you to light the pilot before use. This is how you do it:
- Step 1. Close the drain valve – To start your day, you’ll have to add shortening to the fryer tank. But first, make sure the drain valve rests in the closed position so the oil doesn’t leak out. The drain valve is located behind the fryer’s door.
- Step 2. Fill shortening between min and max lines – Go ahead and fill the tank so that the liquid shortening doesn’t exceed the max fill line or undershoot the min fill line.
- Step 3. Turn off the thermostat – Before you can light the pilot, ensure the fryer’s thermostat is off. You’ll find the thermostat located behind the door.
- Step 4. Turn the gas control valve off – Next, turn the gas control valve knob to its “off” position. You’ll have to push the knob for it to turn. Afterward, wait no less than five minutes for any unburned gas to vent.
- Step 5. Turn the gas control valve to pilot – After waiting five minutes, you can now push in the gas control knob and turn it to its “pilot” setting.
- Step 6. Light the pilot – Keep the gas control knob pushed in and light the pilot with a lighter. Make sure to keep holding in the knob until the flame catches. Once it’s caught, release the knob. It should stay lit on its own. If not, repeat steps 2-4.
- Step 7. Turn the gas control knob on – Now, press in the gas control knob and turn it to its “on” position.
- Step 8. Set the temperature – Turn the temperature control knob to its desired setting.
- Step 9. Fry your food – Make sure to fry foods that are relatively the same size and never overfill the basket. When finished, always hang the basket on its hanger as opposed to leaving it in the fryer tank.
- Step 10. Check shortening levels – Make sure to periodically check the shortening levels throughout your shift to ensure the fryer’s shortening always falls between the minimum and maximum fill lines. If you notice the tank is getting a little low, be sure to top it off.
- Step 11. Turn off the fryer – To turn off your fryer while keeping the pilot lit, turn off the thermostat and turn the gas control knob to its “pilot” setting. To turn off your fryer completely, turn off the thermostat and turn the gas control knob to its “off” position.
How to Turn on & Use a Vulcan Fryer - ERA, ERD, ERC, GRD, GRC Models
These Vulcan fryer models don’t require you to light a pilot, so the start-up procedures are going to look a little different. Follow the steps below to learn how to use a Vulcan fryer:
- Step 1. Close the drain valve – To start your day, you’ll have to add shortening to the fryer tank. But first, make sure the drain valve rests in the closed position so the oil doesn’t leak out. The drain valve is located behind the fryer’s door.
- Step 2. Fill shortening between min and max lines – Go ahead and fill the tank so that the liquid shortening doesn’t exceed the max fill line or undershoot the min fill line.
- Note: Although some Vulcan fryer models can use both solid and liquid shortening, there are some models where you cannot use solid shortening. For this reason, Vulcan recommends only using liquid shortening.
- Step 3. Turn on the fryer – You’ll find the power switch located behind the fryer’s door. Go ahead and flip it to the “on” position. A red light should blink on, indicating the fryer is heating up.
- Step 4. Set the temperature –Turn the temperature knob to the desired setting.
- Step 5. Flip the melt switch – The melt switch tells the fryer whether you’re using solid or liquid shortening. Flip the switch to the correct setting.
- Step 6. Press the start switch – With the correct shortening type verified, you can now press the start button. The red light will change to yellow while it's heating up and then to green when the fryer is ready to use.
- Step 7. Fry your food – Make sure to fry foods that are relatively the same size and never overfill the basket. When finished, always hang the basket on its hanger as opposed to leaving it in the fryer tank.
- Step 8. Check shortening levels – Make sure to periodically check the shortening levels throughout your shift to ensure the fryer’s shortening always falls between the minimum and maximum fill lines. If you notice the tank is getting a little low, be sure to top it off.
- Step 9. Turn off the fryer – When you’re done using your Vulcan fryer, you can turn it off by opening the door and flipping the power switch to the “off” position.
GRA, VK, TR, VFRY Models
These models follow a slightly different procedure than the ones outlined above. For that reason, complete steps 1-2 from the section above before continuing on:
- Step 3. Flip the melt switch – The melt switch tells the fryer whether you’re using solid or liquid shortening. Flip the switch to the correct setting.
- Step 4. Set the temperature – Turn the temperature knob to the desired setting.
- Step 5. Turn on the fryer – Go ahead and flip the power switch to the “on” position.
- Step 6. Press the start switch – You can now press the start button. The red light will change to yellow while it's heating up and then to green when the fryer is ready to use.
- Step 7. Complete steps 7-9 from above – Return to the section above to complete steps 7-9 on how to use a Vulcan fryer.
Need more information on how to use a Vulcan fryer? Go check out our extensive collection of Vulcan fryer manuals and parts diagrams for everything an employee or owner needs to know to maintain, use and fix their equipment.