Propane Fish Fryer

[vermilionfox]

I have a twice used propane fish fryer that I bought from Bass Pro. Nothing expensive. I have it hooked to a 20lb propane tank. Both times I have used it I have experienced the same problem. When initially lit it burns great, plenty of gas flow, great flame. When I turn it off, and relight it a little later I don't get good gas flow, and a much smaller flame. I can never get the fryer back up to temperature.

Is there something I'm doing wrong. When I turn it off, I turn off the gas valve on the fryer line and then the valve at the bottle. I leave the gas line hooked up to 20lb bottle.

Thanks guys!

[McGurk]

I'm having the same problem, only with a 20 lb tank attached to my grill! I have 2 tanks that I rotate and Tank 1 works fine, but Tank 2 is not very reliable. Starts real slow sometimes and has less gas output than the Tank 1, and seems to increase and decrease in output with no warning. I would appreciate it immensely if anyone has any thoughts on this too. The flame has never gone out, but when staring it is a real pain and I have to cook at a higher setting to get the same heat. Thanks in Advance.

[Surface Tension]

Turn the gas valve off at the tank first then the turn off the valve on the fryer.

That way your regulator and hose have no pressure. An unregulated hose stored with propane will leech oils from the hose. That can plug things up. Try that next time and see if it helps.

[Surface Tension]

McGurk, in your case it sounds like the OPD Tank Valve could be the culprit. If its from a tank exchange, better luck on your next exchange.

[McGurk]

Thanks for the reply ST; I own the tank and have been getting it refilled. I guess an exchange might be the next best bet, but I'll have to get out everything I can from it first. Slow cooking a beercan chicken perhaps.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Listen carefully next time you open the valve on the tank. If you hear a click it is the EFD (excess flow device) tripping. This will greatly reduce the flow of propane coming out of the tank. To reset the EFD simply turn the valve off and listen again for a click. Then turn the valve back on slowly.

I agree with Surface about the non regulated hoses. Turn the valve off on the tank first and let the flame burn out then turn off the appliance.

[vermilionfox]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll check it out!

[Whoaru99]

Yeah, with the excess flow devices, the sequence and speed of opening the valves can affect how well or poorly the devices operate.

Sometimes just opening the valves quickly can activate the EFD.

[hitthebricks]

I had the same problen on my grill, Weber techs told me I need to have all valves on the grill closed, open the valve on the tank slowly, then turn on the grill valves and it now it works great. HTB