# AccuTemp Steamers and AccuSteam Griddles: Use and Care

> A practical guide to daily operation, cleaning, and basic troubleshooting for AccuTemp Evolution steamers, Steam & Hold II steamers, and AccuSteam griddles.

How-to by Norpex. Published 2026-11-01, updated 2026-11-01.
Canonical: https://norpex.ca/guides/accutemp-steamers-and-accusteam-griddles

![AccuTemp E62083E100DBL double-stacked Evolution electric steamers on a stand](https://norpex.ca/m/8a/91/8a91ff4bb541cb43f54c1c2a7618e97228b7550ce5e7e05497a9bf5e359bdd60.jpg)

Pictured: [AccuTemp E62083E100DBL Double-Stacked Evolution Steamer](https://norpex.ca/product/accutemp-e62083e100dbl-double-stacked-12-pan-freestanding-electric-evolution-convection-steamer-208v)

This guide covers the essential daily use and care steps for AccuTemp commercial steamers and AccuSteam griddles, drawing directly from the manufacturer's manuals. It outlines proper installation requirements, control operation, cleaning procedures, and basic troubleshooting checks a kitchen manager can perform.

## Key takeaways

- A qualified, licensed installer handles the gas, water and electrical work to local code; the steamers and griddles must be installed level.
- Connectionless Evolution steamers are filled by hand and need a full-size steam table pan in the rails under them whenever they run or drain.
- Never use the low water indicator as a refill reminder on a connectionless steamer: it turns the heat off and stops the cook.
- Each day, drain the Evolution steamer, wipe the chamber and its removable parts with a clean cloth and leave the door open overnight.
- AccuSteam griddles are never cleaned with a griddle stone or brick or a water jet; AccuTemp cleans them with water and a non-metallic pad.

## Which manual covers your AccuTemp equipment

The AccuTemp line we list includes the Evolution connected and connectionless electric and gas steamers, the Steam & Hold II steamers, and the AccuSteam electric and gas griddles. Each product family has its own installation and operator manual from the manufacturer. The Evolution Electric Steamer Installation & Operator Manual (MP4008-2508) covers the electric Evolution models, while the Evolution Gas Steamer Installation & Operator Manual (MP4010-2509) covers the gas Evolution models.

The Steam & Hold II Installation Manual (MP4011-2502) applies to the Steam & Hold series. For griddles, the AccuSteam Electric Griddle Installation/Operators Manual (MP5018-2501) covers electric models, and the AccuSteam Gas Griddle Installation/Operators Manual (MP5017-2605) covers natural gas and propane models. Always refer to the specific manual for your model's serial number.

## Installation requirements from the manuals

Every AccuTemp manual states that only qualified service technicians or electricians should perform the installation. The installer must ensure all electrical, gas, and plumbing work meets national and local codes. For gas models, the installation must conform with the National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI/NFPA 54, or the Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code, CSA B149.1 as applicable.

The manuals provide specific clearance information. For Evolution electric steamers, the required clearances from combustible surfaces are 1 inch on the sides and 2 inches at the rear; for noncombustible surfaces, 0 inches are required. A minimum clearance of 10 inches must be allowed on the left-hand side of the unit for maintenance access. The AccuSteam electric griddle manual lists clearances of 2 inches from the back and 1 inch from the right and left sides for combustible construction.

All steamers must be installed level. The Evolution electric steamer manual says to rest a spirit level on the top surface and check it front to back and left to right, because an out-of-level steamer may operate erratically and be damaged. On counter-top installations the four rubber foot tips must be fitted to the legs.

Connected Evolution steamers need a water connection and access to a floor drain or sink for a drain hose (not supplied): run the hose to the drain with a one-inch air gap and never plumb the steamer directly to the drain. Three-stage reverse osmosis filtration is not permitted and causes water system errors. Connectionless models are filled by hand, and a full-size steam table pan or 1/1 gastronorm pan must sit in the rails under the steamer whenever it is operating or being drained; drain pans are customer supplied.

For the Evolution gas steamer, the manual asks you to contact AccuTemp's technical services department to confirm the main burner orifice size if the site is more than 4,000 feet above sea level, and to use an external regulator only when the supply gas pressure exceeds 0.5 psig (14 in. WC).

## Daily operation and controls

On the Evolution steamer, pressing the power button lights the display and shows PRE-HEAT. A connected model fills itself; a connectionless model lights the low water light and sounds an alarm until water is added up to the fill level. Once filling stops the steamer heats: keep the door closed, as opening it slows the preheat. The display reads COOK at about 212°F, and the steamer holds that temperature until it is switched off or put in Hold mode. The temperature button shows the current temperature.

The Steam & Hold II steamer has a selector switch with Power, Fast Cook and Low Temperature Cook positions, a timer, a vacuum gauge and a temperature gauge. Its manual explains that it reduces the pressure inside the cooking compartment, which lowers the temperature at which the water boils, so the operator controls the steam temperature and can reach the desired temperature without over-cooking.

For connectionless steamers, the manuals emphasize that you must not use the low water indicator as a signal to add water. The Evolution electric steamer manual states that the low water indicator actually turns off the heat to the product, stopping the cooking process. You must monitor the water level and refill throughout cooking to ensure consistent cook times.

The AccuSteam electric griddle operates within a temperature range of 200°F to 400°F (93°C to 204°C). The start-up checklist in the manual asks the installer to verify that the surface temperature matches the set temperature on the controller and that the heat light cycles on and off once the set temperature is reached. The gas griddle manual includes a similar verification process.

## Cleaning and routine care

Daily cleaning of the Evolution steamer, per its manual: turn it off and let it cool, open the drain valve and let the cooking compartment drain completely, then remove the pan racks, steam collector, overfill sensor and condensate tray and wipe them and the inside of the chamber with a clean cloth. Put the parts back and leave the door open overnight; the steamer will not run without the overfill sensor. Never use a water jet or pressure washer, and always leave the door open after cleaning so the gasket lasts.

Weekly, on steamers with a water connection, close the drain valve, add 1 cup (8 oz) of white vinegar and run the steamer in Cook mode for 15 minutes, drain it, run it again with fresh water for 15 minutes and drain it. Then clean the water sensors with a non-metallic pad and wipe the chamber, sensors, racks, steam distributor, steam collector, overfill sensor and condensate tray. AccuTemp's video 'AccuTemp University: The Evolution™ Steamer is SO easy to clean!' walks through the routine.

For AccuSteam griddles the gas griddle manual forbids a griddle stone or brick and a water jet. During the shift the surface can be cleaned with a sharp scraper. For heavier cleaning, empty the grease tray, turn the griddle off and let it cool to 220°F to 240°F (104°C to 116°C), scrape off heavy deposits and standing grease, then clean with water, ice and/or griddle cleaner; seasoning the surface afterwards is recommended. Wash the grease tray in dish detergent and water once it is cool. AccuTemp's video 'AccuSteam® cleaning with water only!' shows the water-and-pad method.

On every model, remove the grease tray or drain pan slowly: the contents can cause severe burns. The Steam & Hold II manual also forbids cleaning with pressurized water, and the griddle manuals warn not to leave a chlorine sanitizer on the stainless steel for more than 10 minutes.

## Troubleshooting from the manuals

The Evolution steamer manual's troubleshooting section starts with the simple checks. If it will not power on, check that it is plugged into the proper outlet and the breaker is on; if the High Water light is on, open the drain valve until it goes out, and make sure the float ball is in place. If it will not fill, make sure the water supply is on and clean the two water sensors in the cooking cabinet; if a connected model overfills, level it and clean the sensors. It will not heat with the door open.

Some steam escaping at the door for under a minute after the steamer refills is normal; otherwise make sure the door is fully closed and latched. Temperature drops after an automatic refill or when frozen product goes in, and recovers. Undercooked food usually means the door was not latched, was opened too often, or the steam vent is blocked. If the display shows -99F or -1F, call AccuTemp. The start-up checklist also expects supply water pressure of 30 to 40 PSI.

The electric griddle manual's section 6 covers four cases. If it will not turn on, check the plug and the breaker or fuse. If the heat light does not come on, the surface may already be hotter than the set temperature, and in normal use the light cycles on and off. For uneven or inaccurate temperatures, level the griddle and check the surface with an accurate digital surface probe thermometer, not an infrared or mechanical one. A griddle that will not turn off is a serious control fault: turn off its electrical supply and call for service.

## Preventative maintenance and service

The AccuTemp manuals include preventative maintenance checklists. The electric griddle periodic maintenance recommendations list tasks such as verifying that the griddle is level, inspecting the control panel seal, and checking the control compartment for foreign particulate and loose wiring. These tasks are divided into bi-annual and annual items.

Service is for AccuTemp authorized service personnel only; there are no user-serviceable parts, and the access panels are not to be opened by the operator. The Evolution steamer needs none of the scheduled boiler maintenance conventional steamers do, but AccuTemp recommends a yearly review by an authorized service representative to keep it in good order.

## Videos from the maker

- [AccuTemp University: The Evolution™ Steamer is SO easy to clean!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-S6UDySDsU) (AccuTemp)
- [AccuSteam® cleaning with water only!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFqlyXfUKqQ) (AccuTemp)

## Common questions

### What is the difference between a connected and a connectionless Evolution steamer?

A connected Evolution steamer requires a water connection and a drain line routed to a floor drain or sink. A connectionless model must be manually filled with tap water and uses a drain pan installed under the unit during operation and cleaning.

### What clearances are required around an Evolution electric steamer?

The Evolution electric steamer manual requires 1 inch from combustible sides and 2 inches from a combustible rear surface. A minimum of 10 inches must be allowed on the left-hand side for maintenance access.

### How should I clean an AccuSteam griddle?

The AccuSteam gas griddle manual forbids a griddle stone or brick and a water jet. Clean it with water, ice and/or griddle cleaner once it has cooled to 220°F to 240°F, after scraping off heavy deposits; AccuTemp's video 'AccuSteam® cleaning with water only!' shows the method with a non-metallic pad.

### What should I do if my connectionless steamer's low water indicator comes on?

The Evolution electric steamer manual warns that the low water indicator turns off the heat to the product, stopping the cooking process. You should not use it as a reminder to add water; instead, monitor the water level and refill throughout cooking.

### Who should install my AccuTemp gas steamer or griddle?

The installation manuals say only qualified service technicians or electricians should install the equipment, with all wiring, gas and plumbing work to national and local codes; gas models follow the Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code, CSA B149.1, where it applies.

## Related guides

- [Griddle vs Charbroiler: Flat-Top, Grill or Salamander for Your Menu](https://norpex.ca/guides/griddle-vs-charbroiler)
- [Hot Food Holding Equipment Guide: Cabinets, Steam Tables, Warmers](https://norpex.ca/guides/hot-food-holding-guide)

## Shop the catalogue

- [Food Steamers](https://norpex.ca/products/food-steamers)
- [Griddles](https://norpex.ca/products/griddles)