Clogged burner orifices, especially those near the pilot, are also likely causes of delayed ignition. Lack of flame, flames that are orange in color, and flames that shoot out at an angle from the rest are indications of clogged burner orifices. If only one side of the burner is lighting, the rear deflector target may be misaligned or missing completely. Improper burner pressure may also cause this. If there are gaps in burner firing, check for clogged burner orifices.
Inadequate Make-up Air
Another cause of popping is an insufficient air supply or drafts that are blowing the pilot flame away from the burner. Check for negative pressure conditions in the kitchen area. If air is flowing into the kitchen area, this indicates that more air is entering the kitchen than is leaving it. In a negative pressure environment, the burners may not be receiving an adequate amount of air to maintain a strong pilot flame.
Other Causes of Popping
Other causes of popping are more ambiguous and may have two or more possible causes to consider.
If the fryer’s gas and air supplies are okay, it is likely that the cause of the popping is one of the electrical components. Examine the controller for signs of melting, distortion, and possibly discoloration due to excessive heat buildup in the fryer (usually indicating improper flue performance). Automatically suspect a discolored or distorted controller and replace it. However, it is important to diagnose and correct the condition causing excessive heat in the fryer or the problem is likely to recur.
Fluctuating flame intensity is normally caused by improper or fluctuating gas pressure or the result of variations in the kitchen atmosphere. Verify incoming gas pressure in the same way as for popping, discussed in the preceding paragraphs. Air condition and ventilation units (such as hoods) starting and stopping throughout the day usually cause variations in the kitchen atmosphere. As they start and stop, the pressure in the kitchen may change from positive or neutral to negative, or vice versa. They may also cause changes in airflow patterns that may affect flame intensity.
Flames “rolling” out of the fryer are usually an indication of negative pressure in the kitchen. The negative air pressure is sucking air out of the fryer enclosure and the flames are following the air. If negative pressure is not the cause, check for high burner manifold gas pressure in accordance with the procedures in Section 1.3.2. An obstructed flue, which prevents the fryer from properly exhausting, may also be the cause.
An unusually noisy burner, especially when flames are visible above the flue opening, may indicate that the burner gas pressure is too high or that the gas valve vent tube is blocked. If the gas pressure is correct and the vent tube is unobstructed, the gas valve regulator is probably defective.
Occasionally, a burner may appear to be operating correctly, but it shows a slow recovery rate (discussed on Page
