Troubleshooting Your Turkey Fryer When It Won’t Stay Lit

Frying a turkey can be a great way to prepare a juicy and delicious holiday meal. However, it can quickly turn into a frustrating experience if your turkey fryer won’t stay lit. As an avid turkey fryer enthusiast, I’ve encountered this issue more times than I can count. But over the years, I’ve learned how to troubleshoot and fix a turkey fryer that won’t stay lit. In this article, I’ll share everything I know to help you get your turkey fryer working properly again.

Common Causes of a Turkey Fryer Not Staying Lit

Before jumping into solutions it’s important to understand what might be causing your turkey fryer to not stay lit in the first place. Here are some of the most common culprits

• Faulty or dirty thermocouple The thermocouple is a heat sensor that detects the pilot light flame If it’s dirty or defective, it can fail to keep the gas valve open

• Incorrect gas flow If the propane tank valve isn’t fully opened or there’s a kink in the hose, insufficient gas will reach the burner

• Clogged burner: Leftover food debris or grease buildup can clog the burner ports, disrupting even flame distribution.

• Windy conditions: Strong winds can blow out the turkey fryer flame.

• Damaged igniter or gas valve: Critical fryer components like the igniter or gas valve can malfunction and prevent the burner from staying lit.

Now let’s look at how to pinpoint and fix each of these potential issues.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Follow these steps to methodically diagnose and address what’s causing your turkey fryer problems:

1. Inspect the Thermocouple

As the key safety component, the first thing to check is the thermocouple.

• Make sure it’s properly positioned in the pilot light flame path. Adjust it closer to the flame if needed.

• Remove any food debris or grease buildup on the thermocouple with steel wool or an abrasive scrub.

• Check for damage. Replace the thermocouple if it’s cracked or worn out.

2. Check for Gas Flow Obstructions

Gas flow issues are another common reason a turkey fryer won’t stay lit.

• Verify the propane tank valve is fully open. Sometimes the valve can get bumped partially closed.

• Inspect the hose for kinks and straighten any out.

• Ensure the hose is not pinched behind the fryer.

• Confirm the regulator is correctly adjusted for the proper gas pressure.

• Replace damaged hoses that have cracks or holes.

3. Clean the Burner

A dirty burner will struggle to stay lit.

• Remove the burner and scrub away any food debris clogging the ports. Use a pipe cleaner to clear them.

• Clean out the venturi tube that mixes air into the gas flow.

• Rinse and dry the burner thoroughly before reinstalling.

4. Shelter from Wind

Wind is a threat to maintaining a steady burner flame.

• Position the turkey fryer in a protected area out of the wind.

• Construct a temporary windbreak using plywood or cardboard.

• Avoid operating in excessively windy conditions.

5. Replace Damaged Components

If the above steps don’t solve the problem, damaged fryer components may need replacement.

• Test the igniter and replace if it’s no longer heating up red hot.

• Inspect the gas valve for defects and replace if faulty.

• Have a technician service the fryer if you’re unfamiliar with replacing components.

Helpful Tips to Prevent Future Lighting Problems

Besides properly troubleshooting and repairing your turkey fryer, there are some helpful maintenance tips that can prevent lighting issues in the future:

• Keep it clean: Regularly remove grease buildup and food debris from key components like the burner, thermocouple, and igniter.

• Shelter from wind: Set up a windbreak and orient the fryer away from gusts when cooking.

• Protect the hose: Avoid kinking and inspect the hose for damage. Keep it safely stored when not in use.

• Check connections: Verify gas valves, regulators, and hoses are tightly secured and leak-free before each use.

• Have a backup igniter: Keep a spare igniter on hand for quick replacement if yours fails.

Don’t Let a Dark Fryer Ruin Your Holiday Cooking

As you can see, there are a variety of fixes for a turkey fryer that won’t stay lit. The key is methodically troubleshooting the root cause, whether it’s a thermocouple issue, gas flow blockage, damaged component, or other problem. And with some preventive maintenance, you can avoid fighting with your turkey fryer altogether.

Some Key Points to Remember:

• Check the thermocouple, gas flow, burner, and surrounding wind first when troubleshooting
• Clean debris from ports, straighten kinks, and adjust regulator to improve gas flow
• Replace damaged thermocouples, igniters or valves if needed
• Prevent issues by keeping the fryer clean and protected from wind
• With the right repairs and maintenance, your turkey fryer will stay lit

So don’t let a malfunctioning turkey fryer ruin your next holiday meal. Follow this guide to get it working properly again! Delicious fried turkey is worth the effort.