Key Takeaways
- An Imperial fryer pilot light that goes out after releasing the control knob may indicate insufficient hold time, a weak pilot flame, or a faulty thermopile.
- The pilot control may need to be held down for the period specified in the fryer’s model-specific lighting instructions to allow the thermopile to heat up.
- A dirty pilot assembly or clogged orifice can restrict gas flow and prevent the pilot flame from heating the thermopile properly.
- A fryer that shuts down during cooking may have a high-limit thermostat or another safety-control issue rather than a basic pilot ignition problem.
- Persistent pilot-light problems should be inspected by a qualified technician to identify the faulty component and avoid unsafe adjustments or unnecessary replacement costs.
Your Imperial fryer pilot lights up, but the flame goes out right after you release the knob. You give it one more try, with the same result.
If your Imperial fryer pilot won’t stay lit, this doesn’t always mean you’re facing an expensive repair. Sometimes, it’s as simple as not holding the pilot control long enough. Other times, component failures are responsible for this frustrating situation in the commercial kitchen, like a failing thermopile.
Here’s how to narrow down the cause and recognize when it’s time to find the right Imperial parts to replace malfunctioning or worn-down components.
4 Possible Causes Pilot Goes Out Immediately
While this guide walks you through the 4 troubleshooting steps starting with the simplest things worth checking, one common reason for the pilot light to keep going out universally across many brands and models is a thermopile.
Here’s the mechanics of how it works. When you push the gas valve knob to the pilot position and hold it in, you’re manually bypassing the safety shutoff long enough for the thermopile to heat up. Once it’s warm enough, it generates a small DC voltage that signals the gas control valve to stay open on its own.
1. You’re Not Holding the Pilot Control Long Enough
Check the lighting instructions for your specific fryer model – it may tell you to hold the gas control dial down for as long as 30 seconds to give the thermopile enough time to heat up and produce current for the gas safety valve to stay open.
Pilot went out again? Turn the gas control to OFF and wait for 5 minutes before trying to relight, as specified in many Imperial manuals.
2. The Pilot Flame Is Too Weak or Improperly Positioned
A pilot flame can be burning and still fail to do its job.
The thermopile only works properly when it receives enough heat from the pilot flame. If the flame is too small, unstable, or directed away from the thermopile, the safety system may not receive the electrical signal it needs. This is one of the reasons an Imperial fryer pilot light keeps going out.
According to the manufacturer’s gas fryer troubleshooting instructions, these symptoms can result from an improperly adjusted pilot flame.
What to do: A qualified technician can inspect the flame and adjust it. Don’t turn adjustment screws at random. An incorrect adjustment can create additional ignition problems or unsafe conditions.
3. The Thermopile Is Worn Out or Failing
The thermopile acts much like a small generator: it converts heat from the pilot flame into an electrical voltage of around 750 millivolt that helps keep the gas safety valve open.
Over time, its components deteriorate and voltage decreases. A technician tests this with a DC millivolt meter at the terminals of the gas control valve. A healthy reading open-circuit should be in the 500 to 750 millivolt range. Below 250 millivolts, the valve generally won’t hold open on its own. If testing proves low output while the flame looks fine, the thermopile needs to be replaced.
4. The Pilot Assembly or Orifice Is Dirty
Grease is a fact of life in any working kitchen. It’s quite common for grease and other contaminants like food debris to get into the small components that make up the pilot assembly. The pilot orifice, the tiny hole that gas passes through to feed the pilot flame, can get clogged and even partial blockage restricts gas flow, weakens the flame, and prevents the thermopile from heating up to the necessary temperature.
Have a qualified technician inspect and clean the pilot assembly.
Never use a needle, drill bit, or anything that would damage or enlarge the hole. Its size is calibrated to the gas type and enlarging it could cause a safety hazard.
Quick Imperial Fryer Pilot Light Troubleshooting Guide
|
What you’re noticing |
What it could mean |
Recommended next step |
| Pilot lights but goes out when you release the knob | Insufficient hold time, weak pilot flame, or thermopile problem | Check the model-specific lighting procedure first |
| Pilot flame is small or unstable | Pilot adjustment, restriction, or gas supply issue | Have the pilot assembly and gas supply inspected |
| Pilot stays lit, but the main burners won’t ignite | Incorrect control settings, gas valve, or safety-control problem | Verify normal operating settings, then request service |
| Fryer shuts down while cooking and won’t relight | Possible high-limit shutdown or temperature-control fault | Stop using the fryer and have the safety system checked |
What If Your Fryer Shuts Off and Won’t Relight?
If you didn’t have any issues after starting your fryer, it worked for some time, and then shut down in the middle of cooking, you’re dealing with a different cause than a fryer going out at once after lighting.
One possible reason is the high-limit thermostat or safety control.
The high-limit system stops heating when the oil is too hot. Depending on the fryer, the problem could come down to oil temperature rising to unsafe levels, a thermostat that’s not reading correctly, or a faulty safety component.
Some Imperial gas fryer manuals note that after a high-limit shutdown, the pilot cannot be relit until the oil temperature has dropped to nearly 325°F.
What should you do?
Stop attempting to relight the fryer and allow it to cool safely. Have a qualified technician investigate the reason for the shutdown. Some of the areas a technician is going to check include the thermostat calibration, temperature-sensing components, high-limit switch, and related controls.
FAQs
Why does my Imperial fryer pilot light go out when I release the knob?
This can happen if the pilot control is not held down long enough, the pilot flame is too weak, or the thermopile is not generating sufficient voltage to keep the gas safety valve open. A qualified technician can also check for a clogged pilot orifice or problems with the gas control system.
How long should I hold the pilot button on an Imperial fryer?
The required time depends on the specific fryer model, so always follow the manufacturer’s lighting instructions. Some models may require holding the control down for up to 30 seconds to allow the thermopile to heat sufficiently.
How do I know if my Imperial fryer’s thermopile is faulty?
A pilot that lights but goes out when the control is released can be a sign of a failing thermopile, particularly when the pilot flame appears normal. A technician can measure its millivolt output and compare the reading with the manufacturer’s specifications before recommending replacement.
Can a dirty pilot assembly cause an Imperial fryer pilot light to go out?
Yes, grease, food debris, and other contaminants can partially block the pilot orifice and restrict gas flow, resulting in a weak or unstable flame. Have a qualified technician inspect and clean the assembly rather than attempting to enlarge or modify the orifice.
Why does my Imperial fryer shut off while cooking and refuse to relight?
This may indicate that the high-limit safety system has activated or that a temperature-control component is malfunctioning. Stop attempting to relight the fryer, allow it to cool safely, and have a qualified technician inspect the thermostat, high-limit switch, and related controls.
Conclusion
When your Imperial fryer pilot won’t stay lit, start with the simple things: the correct lighting procedure, the condition of the pilot flame, and any obvious changes in how the equipment operates. If the problem continues, let a technician check the thermopile, pilot assembly, gas controls, and safety components. The sooner you identify the actual cause, the easier it is to avoid spending money on the wrong repair.