How to Clean a Nieco Broiler
The Nieco Automatic Broiler is used in a wide variety of commercial kitchens. This state-of-the-art broiler uses direct heat that adds the perfect char or crispiness to everything from steak to veggies. In order to keep it running at full strength, routine cleaning is a must. Below are the supplies and instructions for cleaning a Nieco Broiler daily.
This procedure is valid for JF62, JF63, JF64, JF93, JF94 and JF143 BroilVection™ models. If you require further assistance with preventative maintenance or repairs, please contact an authorized service technician for help.
Supplies to You'll Need:
- Degreaser
- OEM cleaning and sanitizer solutions
- Heat-resistant gloves
- Non-abrasive scrub pad
- Scratch pad
- Soft-bristle brush
- Small & large orifice brushes
- Shaft-cleaning tool
- Towels
- Compartment sink
Prepare the Broiler
Before you begin, make sure to do the following:
- Run the broiler without food – Let the unit run for 10 minutes without product to help residue and remnants burn off the chains.
- Let the unit cool – Turn off the broiler and let it cool for about 30 minutes before you start disassembling. Run the ventilation hood the entire time unit is cooling down.
- Turn off the gas and power – Once the unit has cooled down, close the main gas valve and unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
Cleaning the Feed End
Step 1. Clean the Front Heat Shield
Remove the front heat shield by lifting it up and off the broiler. Wash the shield in the sink using a scrub pad and approved cleaning solution. Once it's dry, use a towel and sanitizer solution to wipe down the shield.
Step 2. Clean the Feeder Base (if applicable)
Some models are equipped with either a wire-belt or push bar feeder base, which should be cleaned at least every four hours. Below are removal and cleaning tips:
- Removal – Depending on the model, it will either be a wire-belt or push-bar feeder base. Pull the release pin and remove the feeder base by lifting it up and off. Avoid lifting by the wire belt or bar because it can damage the feeder base.
- Cleaning – Wash the feeder base in the sink using a scrub pad and approved cleaning solution. Once it's dry, use a towel and sanitizer solution to wipe down the feeder base. Reinstall by pulling the release pin and placing the feeder base in its natural position.
Step 3. Clean the Feeder Housing
The feeder housing is located below the feeder base. Remove it by lifting the housing and pulling it out. Wash the housing in the sink with a scrub pad and approved cleaning solution. Once it's dry, use a towel and sanitizer solution to wipe down the feeder housing. Reinstall by hanging the housing back on its brackets.
Step 4. Clean the Grease Pan & Grease Catch Pan
Once the grease pan is cool, slide it out from the unit. Then lift out the grease catch pan. Spray both pans with degreaser in a sink and wash both with a scrub pad. After rinsing, use a towel and sanitizer to wipe them down.
Step 5. Clean the Crumb Tray
Slide the crumb tray out from the unit. Spray the tray with degreaser in a sink and wash it with a scrub pad. Once you rinse, use a towel and sanitizer to wipe it down.
Cleaning the Discharge End
Step 1. Clean the Awning
Lift up the awning off the mounting bracket. Spray the awning with degreaser in a sink and wash it with a scrub pad. After rinsing, use a towel and sanitizer to wipe it down.
Step 2. Clean the Sizzle Plate
Lift the sizzle plate up and out of the discharge pan. Spray the plate with degreaser in a sink and wash it with a scrub pad. Rinse the plate and wipe it down with towel and sanitizer.
Step 3. Clean the Discharge Pan
Wearing heat-resistant gloves, lift the discharge pan up and off. Spray the pan in a sink with degreaser before washing it with a scrub pad. Rinse the pan off, and wipe it down with towel and sanitizer.
Step 4. Clean the Stripper Blade
With heat-resistant gloves on, remove the stripper blade by tilting it away from the chain and lifting off the brackets. Spray the stripper blade in a sink with degreaser and washing it with a scrub pad. Then, rinse it and wipe down with towel and sanitizer.
Step 5. Clean the Grease Trough
Lift and slide the grease trough out of the unit. Spray it with degreaser and wash in a sink with a scrub pad. After you rinse the trough, wipe it down with a towel and sanitizer. When reinstalling, make sure to push the trough all the way into broiler.
Step 6. Clean the Chain Shafts & Inner Shield
For these parts, you'll be using the shaft-cleaning tool, which should be located on a clip on discharge end of the broiler.
- Chain shafts – Clean the chain shafts by using the wide end of the shaft-cleaning tool. Scrape the shafts of both belts from the discharge end. When you're finished wipe down the tool with a towel.
- Inner shield – Use the shaft-cleaning tool to reach between the belt and scrape deposits from the inner shield.
Cleaning the Top
Step 1. Clean the Incedalyst ™ (Catalyst) on the Shroud
Make sure to wear heat-resistant gloves when handling this catalyst. It's usually very hot. Wearing the gloves, grab the handle and lift the catalyst off the shroud. Soak it for an hour in warm water. Do not use any chemical cleaners. After soaking, lay it on a flat surface to drain overnight. Check that the catalyst is dry the following morning before placing it back on the broiler.
Step 2. Clean the Hood Shroud
Wearing heat-resistant gloves, lift the shroud from the unit and take it to the sink. Spray the shroud with degreaser and wash with a scrub pad. After rinsing, wipe down the shroud with a sanitizer and towel.
Step 3. Clean the Upper Heat Shield
With heat-resistant gloves on, lift up the upper heat shield and take it off. Spray the shield with degreaser and wash it in a sink with a scrub pad. Rinse and wipe it off with a sanitizer and towel.
Step 4. Clean the Upper Burner & Air Box
Wearing heat-resistant gloves, lift the upper burner and air box from the top of the unit. You don't need to detach both parts from each other. Clean out the clogged burner and air vent holes using a stiff brush. When reinstalling, make sure both air box assemblies sit flush on their brackets.
Monthly Cleaning
Clean the Main Burner Orifices
At least once a month or as needed, clean the main burner orifices with a small-orifice brush.
Clean the Flame Sensor
At least once a month or as needed, clean the flame sensor by doing the following:
- Remove the control box cover and ceramic boot – Start by removing the cover on the left-side control box. Then, remove the ceramic boot from the back of the flame sensor.
- Remove the flame sensor – Unfasten the wing nut that holds flame sensor and remove it from the unit.
- Clean the sensor's tip – Use a dry, clean scrub pad to clean the metal tip on the flame sensor.
Preventative Maintenance Checklist
As you conduct thorough cleanings and routine inspections of your unit, make sure to check off tasks as you go. Our checklist below allows you to keep tabs of each maintenance task and inspections of key components.
Download or print our Nieco preventative maintenance checklist.
Need more help cleaning a Nieco broiler? Check out our collection of Nieco manuals for more assistance.