TurboChef Tornado Troubleshooting Tips
When it comes to toasting sandwiches or heating up frozen pizzas, the TurboChef NGC Tornado oven is a must-have in many commercial kitchens. This compact, yet powerful, microwave oven can handle the high demands of any restaurant, bar or cafeteria. But like any heavy-duty equipment, it can experience a few hiccups along the way.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be in the dark. We have an easy list of TurboChef Tornado troubleshooting tips and fault codes, so your oven gets fixed in no time.
Common TurboChef Tornado Fault Codes and Issues
One of the biggest benefits of a Tornado oven is that it’s designed to consistently monitor and log errors. If you ever notice any issues with your unit, simultaneously press “4” and “6” while the oven is off to view the fault log to view the diagnosis. Below are common fault codes you will see.
F1: Blower Running Status Bad
This will display when the oven’s motor or motor controller isn’t running, and the cook cycle will terminate immediately. Unplug the oven before checking the motor. There could be an obstruction preventing it from spinning freely. If not, you could have a fault motor or motor controller that needs to be repaired or replaced by an authorized technician.
F2: Cook Temperature Low
If the cooking temperature is about 84°F below the set temperature during the cook cycle, this code will appear. See if the high-limit thermostat is tripped by resetting the oven and warming it back up.
If it’s not tripped, place a small amount of water in a microwavable container while the oven is in “Test Mode.” Start the microwave by pressing the “MGTRON” key, and hold it down to watch the CC and IR temperatures. If either fluctuates substantially, there may be some wiring issues that would need to be resolved by an authorized technician.
F3: Magnetron Current Low
A magnetron is what actually creates microwaves in your unit. When the current is low during the cook cycle, there could be issues with the machine’s K2 mechanical relay or wiring. Consult an authorized technician for further assistance.
F4: Door Monitor Defective
This error code displays when the monitor interlock switch opens before the primary or secondary interlock switches. Check if there are any obstructions keeping the door open, or see if the monitor safety switch needs to be readjusted.
If neither are the issue, check out the latch assembly. When the door closes, see if the actuator is clearing the slot on the flange and that it rotates smoothly when striking the toggle latch. If that’s not occurring, look for the following:
- Actuator not clearing the slot – If the actuator doesn’t clear the slot, have an authorized technician to adjust or bend it. The technician might need to replace the actuator if there is significant damage.
- Toggle won’t rotate smoothly – Try to clean and lubricate the assembly and rotating parts, especially the torsion spring. If any parts are worn out, make sure to have them replaced by an authorized technician.
F8: Heat Low
If the temperature in the cook cavity doesn’t rise to at least 14°F within 30 minutes after “Warm Up” or “Self Test” modes, this fault code will trigger. Check the high-limit thermostat. If it’s tripped, reset the oven and allow it to warm up again. If not, consult an authorized technician for assistance.
The blower motor also could be a problem. If it’s not moving air, see if the motor in the assembly is stalled. Correct this issue by unplugging the oven and remove the obstruction or replace the motor.
Additional Fault Codes
The fault codes below are a bit more complex and will require help from an authorized technician:
- F5: Magnetron Over Temperature
- F6: EC (Electric Compartment) Temperature High
- F7: Thermocouple Open
TurboChef Tornado Stuck on Warming Up
If you notice your TurboChef Tornado is stuck on Warming Up, you’ll want to do the following to troubleshoot and fix the issue:
- Reset the oven - You can do this by unplugging the unit for 30 seconds and then plugging it back in.
- Check for debris - Make sure there aren’t any obstructions or debris keeping the door from closing tightly.
- Clean and lubricate the unit - Clean any rotating components to ensure everything is working correctly.
- Readjust the monitor safety switch - Readjust the settings to ensure this part is running as it should.
Need more help troubleshooting your TurboChef Tornado? Look through our collection of TurboChef manuals to find what’s wrong with your model.