# Broaster Pressure Fryers: Setup, Frying, Filtering and Care

> Setup, operation, filtering and cleaning for Broaster pressure fryers, with clearances, oil care and lid safety from Broaster's own manuals.

How-to by Norpex. Published 2026-10-15, updated 2026-10-15.
Canonical: https://norpex.ca/guides/broaster-pressure-fryer-guide

![Electric pressure fryer with a touch screen controller](https://norpex.ca/m/8c/ce/8cce2f1ea4539df439852ee2850b294ca9b7973c65fc8bdd222fe5634b81abc3.jpg)

Pictured: [Broaster 2400E ST 63 lb Electric SmartTouch Pressure Deep Fryer](https://norpex.ca/product/broaster-2400e-st-63-lb-electric-smarttouch-pressure-deep-fryer)

This guide covers installing, setting up, pressure frying, filtering and cleaning Broaster pressure fryers, using the steps, figures and warnings Broaster gives in its installation and operation manuals and its ES24 training videos.

## Key takeaways

- Broaster pressure fryers cook at 12-14 PSI; open the cover only when the pressure regulating valve is open and no pressure remains in the cooking well.
- In Canada, gas units are certified for a combustible floor with 1 inch side clearance and 6 inches at the back, and all hookups must be done by a qualified, licensed installer to local code.
- Broaster recommends filtering the oil every 5 loads, and the SmartTouch controller counts cycles since the last filter.
- The hi-limit control keeps oil below 475°F; if it trips, turn the unit off and leave it off until an authorized Broaster Company representative services it.
- All adjustments and repairs are to be made by an authorized Broaster Company representative.

## The Broaster line at Norpex

The Broaster line at Norpex runs from countertop ventless fryers to 70 lb floor models, plus the Perfect Hold holding cabinet for finished product. Every pressure fryer in the list cooks under a sealed lid at 12-14 PSI. The 1600, 1800 and 2400 models share an adjustable temperature range of 250°F to 375°F; the ES24G ST ranges from 250°F to 350°F.

The VF-3 adds a built-in fire suppression system in accordance with NFPA 17A, a resettable high-temp limit switch and an auto-lift feature that raises and lowers the basket. The Perfect Hold cabinet holds prepared food by regulating air temperature and balancing humidity, and its manual says the airflow pattern keeps cabinet temperature consistent without drying out foods.

- Broaster 1600E ST 21 lb Electric SmartTouch Pressure Deep Fryer, 208 / 240V
- Broaster 1800E ST 42 lb Electric SmartTouch Pressure Deep Fryer, 208 / 240V
- Broaster 1800GH 42 Lb. Natural Gas Pressure Fryer, 65,000 BTU
- Broaster 2400E ST 63 lb Electric SmartTouch Pressure Deep Fryer
- Broaster 2400GH ST 63 lb Gas SmartTouch Pressure Deep Fryer, 120V
- Broaster E-Series 18G Gas Pressure Fryer, 14 lb fresh chicken per load, 42 lb oil capacity
- Broaster ES24G ST E-Series 70 lbs Gas SmartTouch Pressure Deep Fryer, 120V
- Broaster VF-2 14 Lb SmartTouch Ventless Countertop Deep Fryer, 208 / 240V
- Broaster SmartTouch Ventless Fryer VF-3, 3 lb per load, 21 lb oil capacity
- Broaster Perfect Hold 7-Pan Heated Insulated Cabinet, 120V

## Installation requirements

Broaster's 1600/1800 and 2400 installation manuals call for a location where product flows in a straight line from storage through the fryer to the customer, with a landing table on at least one side. Do not install the unit where traffic areas are on either side or behind it, and restrain it against tipping in a battery of appliances, an alcove or with adequate ties. Level the unit by adjusting the front feet, adding blocking on a sloping floor.

For Canada, the installation manuals certify gas units for installation on a combustible floor, with minimum clearances of 1 inch from the sides and 6 inches from the back. In the USA, gas units go only in non-combustible locations, with 0 inches from the sides and 6 inches from the back.

The 1600/1800 installation manual sets the ventilation requirements. The exhaust hood must comply with ANSI/NFPA \#96 or the applicable national, state and local codes, and the canopy hood should cover the equipment with at least 6 inches of overhang on sides not against walls. Minimum exhaust volume is 1800 cu. ft. per minute for a canopy hood open on all four sides and 1200 cu. ft. per minute for one open on three sides or less, with ducts sized for at least 1500 ft. per minute air velocity. Do not extend the exhaust stack or flue.

For electric models, the 1600/1800E installation manual points to the wiring diagram inside the front panel and the dataplate for the electrical characteristics, so check the voltage and phase on the dataplate and spec sheet of the model you order. A remote circuit breaker or fuse should sit in the main power supply, in a path of exit and clearly identified. Gas models need a shutoff valve in the supply line, also in a path of exit, a restraining device complying with ANSI Z83.11/CSA 1.8, and on the 2400GH a grounding plug that goes directly into a properly grounded three-prong receptacle. Gas and electrical connections must be made by a qualified, licensed installer to local code, and the local Broaster Company representative handles gas conversion.

## Daily setup and pressure frying

Start each day by lubricating the cover O-ring and the filter pan riser line O-ring with cooking oil, then close the drain valve and fill the cooking well to the COLD OIL LEVEL, since oil expands as it heats. The 2400 operations manual requires hot oil at the HOT OIL LEVEL with the top heating element covered before the cook/filter switch goes to COOK, warns of fire danger below the minimum level, and notes that old oil loses flash point and risks surge boiling. The video ES24 Pressure Fryer Training, Video 2 - Daily Set Up covers the O-ring, oil level, the onboard oil reservoir, and the rack and shelves. On the 2400GH, the manual's lighting sequence is cook/filter switch OFF, gas shut-off valve ON, wait five minutes, gas control switch to ON, then cook/filter switch to COOK to light the intermittent pilot and main burner.

Time N Temp models use a cook/filter switch with COOK, OFF and FILTER positions, Cook Temperature and Cook Time buttons, and AUTO COMP, which monitors oil temperature and adjusts the cook time to compensate for fluctuations. SmartTouch models put everything under Cook, Filter, Setup and Help tabs, with Broaster products preloaded as presets. Broaster recommends Auto Comp on when cooking a load; the temperature box shows Heat On in yellow and turns green at the set temperature. The video ES24 Pressure Fryer Training, Video 1 - Getting To Know Your Fryer covers start-up, oil level checks and the controller tabs.

To cook, load the product once the temperature box is green, then move the small handle on top of the fryer from open to closed; that seals the well and starts the cycle timer. The pressure regulating valve is preset to hold 12-14 PSI, which the pressure gauge should show during a normal cycle. At the end of the cycle an alert sounds until the exhaust valve is opened by turning that handle from CLOSED to OPEN.

- Open the cover only when no pressure is present in the cooking well, never force it, and rotate the handle fully open or closed.
- If the cover will not open easily, confirm the pressure regulating valve is OPEN; if it still will not open, or a raised cover will not stay raised, turn the cook/filter switch OFF and do not operate until an authorized Broaster Company representative services the unit.
- Never drain oil unless the cook/filter switch is OFF and the pressure regulating valve is OPEN; hot oil can spray out under pressure and cause serious burns.
- Never rest the basket on the top flange of the cooking well; damage to the O-ring contact area can cause leaking under pressure or O-ring failure.
- Keep the safety relief valve and pressure gauge ports on the bottom of the cover clear of oil and grease, never use the relief valve to end a cycle, and test it monthly by lifting the handle with a hot mitt during a cook cycle and letting it snap closed.

## Filtering and oil care with the filter pan

The SmartTouch Cook tab counts cycles since the last filter, and Broaster recommends filtering the oil every 5 loads; if a filter cycle is bypassed, the next cycle turns red and flashes. Before any draining, the cook/filter switch must be OFF and the pressure regulating valve OPEN.

The Filter tab posts two reminders before the pump starts: check the filter pan and its components, and stir the oil before opening the drain valve. Press Start Pump and the timer counts up; at 5:00 minutes an alert sounds with a reminder to close the drain valve, silenced with the speaker button rather than the Stop Pump button. Press Stop Pump once the oil has fully returned to the cooking well, or let the pump stop on its own at 10:00 minutes.

The installation manuals cover filter pan assembly: compression nut and ferrule onto the riser line, the riser line into the elbow on the bottom of the pan, keps nuts left loose until the riser line aligns with the suction line, and an O-ring lubricated with cooking oil. The video Setting up the Filter Pan in a Broaster Pressure Fryer demonstrates this on the 1600, 1800 and 2400, and ES24 Pressure Fryer Training, Video 4 - Scrape Down, Polishing or Filtering Your Oil covers the scrape down and polishing oil through the filter pan. Do not run the fryer without the filter pan and its cover in place, wipe the cover after every filtering cycle, and see How to Clean Your Broaster Pressure Fryer Filter Pan for cleaning the pan.

## Cleaning schedule

The 2400 operations manual's cleaning chapter covers the cooking well, food basket, unit surfaces, condensate pan, slide rods, cover, splash shield, gas spring covers, and the probe guard and basket guides, then lists minimum preventive maintenance requirements plus nightly and seasonal shutdown procedures. Follow the cleaning instructions before the first cook. Check the condensate pan several times a day and empty it as needed; never pour its contents into the cooking well or filter pan, because water and hot oil do not mix.

The VF-3 has its own daily procedure in Broaster's cleaning instructions. With the power off and the unit disconnected, remove the access door, which lifts off its hinges, then the food basket and basket lift platform. Unlatch the filter tray, swing it down 45 degrees and pull it out, then remove the air filter and grease filter; the air filter must dry out overnight before going back in, since steam passes through it during cooking. Raise the element, remove the cooking pot, and pour the oil through a strainer and filter paper or discard it; the pot can be cleaned in the sink or dishwasher.

Wipe the element guard and the chamber walls, floor and ceiling, and clean the outside panels with a non-abrasive stainless steel cleaner. The product door, food basket, lift platform, cooking pot, filter tray, grease filter and splash tray can go in the dishwasher; if soap is used, neutralize the parts with a vinegar and water solution, which is not needed with Broaster's Cooking Well Cleaner (99500). When changing oil, soak the cooking pot, food basket and lift platform in that cleaner for at least 15 minutes and no more than 12 hours, and seat the magnet end of the grease filter on the right side of the tray. Let the oil cool completely first, because moved oil can splash and cause serious burns, and dispose of oil-soaked rags and paper in a ventilated container away from heat.

## Operator troubleshooting

The 2400 operations manual ends with troubleshooting tables for electrical, solid state controller, Smart Touch controller, gas, cover, yoke and lift, pressure system, product and filtering problems, with separate product tips for fresh and individually quick frozen chicken. The video Broaster Pressure Fryer - Operator Troubleshooting Series, Pressure System features Ron Kollasch, Broaster's service manager, walking through pressure system steps you can try before contacting your local service agent.

A few operator-level checks appear throughout the manual. The hi-limit control keeps oil from exceeding 475°F; if it trips, turn the unit off and leave it off until it is serviced, though the manual notes it can trip during shipment, in which case fully depressing the red reset button and hearing a click confirms it was tripped. If the power on light stays on when the cook/filter switch moves to OFF, disconnect the power and contact the local Broaster Company representative immediately. During a power failure, turn the cook/filter switch OFF and do not operate the unit.

## Service through the manufacturer's network

Broaster's manuals are consistent on service: all adjustments and repairs shall be made by an authorized Broaster Company representative, and the troubleshooting video frames its steps as what to try before contacting your local service agent. The Perfect Hold manual states the cabinet has no user serviceable parts and calls for authorized Broaster service agents and Genuine Broaster parts.

When a problem is beyond the operator checks, contact the manufacturer's authorized service network with the model and serial number from the unit. For questions about any model in the Norpex catalogue, ask Norpex.

## Videos from the maker

- [ES24 Pressure Fryer Training, Video 1 - Getting To Know Your Fryer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuwfL6_9ysc) (Broaster)
- [ES24 Pressure Fryer Training, Video 2 - Daily Set Up](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd_TFBLMYFw) (Broaster)
- [ES24 Pressure Fryer Training, Video 4 - Scrape Down, Polishing or Filtering Your Oil](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3RoPjfeAUU) (Broaster)
- [Setting up the Filter Pan in a Broaster Pressure Fryer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9LcG6_mtRI) (Broaster)
- [How to Clean Your Broaster Pressure Fryer Filter Pan](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBpiouMkitE) (Broaster)
- [Broaster Pressure Fryer - Operator Troubleshooting Series, Pressure System](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcAsoXF1EpQ) (Broaster)

## Common questions

### What pressure does a Broaster pressure fryer cook at?

The pressure regulating valve is preset to hold 12-14 PSI during a cooking cycle, and the pressure gauge should read in that range. The safety relief valve opens only if pressure reaches its relief setting and must never be used to end a cycle.

### How much clearance does a Broaster gas fryer need in Canada?

Broaster's installation manuals certify gas units for installation on a combustible floor in Canada, with minimum clearances of 1 inch from the sides and 6 inches from the back.

### How often should the oil be filtered?

Broaster recommends filtering every 5 loads. The SmartTouch controller counts cycles since the last filter and flags the next cycle in red if a filter cycle is bypassed.

### When is it safe to open the lid?

Only when no pressure is present in the cooking well. Confirm the pressure regulating valve is OPEN; if the cover still will not open, turn the cook/filter switch OFF and have the unit serviced before using it again.

### Can the oil be drained while the fryer is pressurized?

No. The operations manual warns never to drain oil unless the cook/filter switch is OFF and the pressure regulating valve is OPEN, because hot oil can spray out and cause serious burns.

## Related guides

- [Commercial Fryer Buying Guide: Gas vs Electric, Floor vs Countertop](https://norpex.ca/guides/commercial-fryer-buying-guide)
- [Fryer Oil: How to Filter It, Test It and Know When to Change It](https://norpex.ca/guides/fryer-oil-filtering-and-changing)

## Shop the catalogue

- [Floor Fryer](https://norpex.ca/products/floor-fryer)
- [Countertop Fryer](https://norpex.ca/products/countertop-fryer)