Global Solutions Countertop Equipment: Use and Care

Overview of the Global Solutions countertop line

The Global Solutions countertop line in our list includes electric convection ovens, deep fryers, meat slicers, panini grills, a portable induction range, and a soup kettle. Each piece of equipment is covered by a dedicated instruction sheet from the manufacturer, and this guide summarizes the key points from those documents.

The convection oven operator manual covers models GS1740 (quarter size), GS1741 (half size, 120V), GS1742 (half size, 208/240V), and GS1743 (full size with humidity). The deep fryer instructions apply to models GS1610 (10 lb), GS1611 (16 lb), and GS1612 (32 lb), including both 120V and 208/240V variants. The meat slicer manual covers the 9-inch GS1600, 10-inch GS1601, and 12-inch GS1602. Panini grill instructions are for the flat-plate GS1620 and grooved-plate GS1621. The induction range manual is for model GS1680, and the soup kettle instructions are for model GS1650. Additional models such as tomato slicers, onion slicers, and rotary fruit and vegetable slicers have their own instruction sheets; ask Norpex for details on those.

Installation and electrical requirements

All Global Solutions countertop equipment must be installed by a qualified, licensed installer in accordance with local codes. The data plate on the rear of each unit lists the voltage, wattage, serial number, and clearance specifications. Before connecting any appliance, verify that the electrical outlet matches the voltage and plug configuration shown on the data plate and in the manual. For example, the convection oven models GS1740 and GS1741 use a NEMA 5-15P plug on a 120V circuit, while GS1742 uses a NEMA 6-20P and GS1743 uses a NEMA 6-30P on 208/240V circuits. The deep fryer GS1610 and GS1611-120 use a 5-15P plug; GS1611 and GS1612 208/240V models use a 6-20P plug, with the GS1612 requiring two separate cords.

Clearances are critical for safe operation. The convection oven manual states: do not install the oven closer than 1 inch on the control side from another oven, and do not install it closer than 12 inches on the control side from an uncontrolled heat source such as a char broiler or open flame. The deep fryer and panini grill manuals require that the appliance be mounted on noncombustible construction, with that construction extending not less than 12 inches beyond the equipment on all sides. The induction range manual specifies a minimum of 1 inch of space around the cooking unit, and warns not to block air intake or exhaust vents. For the GS1743 convection oven, a water connection is needed for the steam feature; the manual says to flush the supply line thoroughly, connect it to the 3/4-inch male water inlet at the left rear corner, and ensure the water pressure regulator reads 20–25 PSI. In areas with hard water, a water softener is recommended.

Convection ovens: operation and controls

The Global Solutions convection ovens are built with stainless steel chambers, rear fans, and double-pane tempered glass doors. The thermostat range is 150°F to 500°F on 120V models (GS1740, GS1741) and 150°F to 550°F on 208/240V models (GS1742, GS1743). The timer can be set from 0 to 120 minutes. All models have a heat indicator light, a power light, and an internal light. The GS1740 holds three racks; the other models hold four. The GS1743 adds a 1-shot steam button and an on/off switch, and it has two motors and fans.

To start the oven, press the on/off switch (on the GS1743) or simply turn the temperature dial to the desired setting and set the timer to the manual position. The fan, heat, and indicator light come on. When the indicator light shuts off, the oven has reached the set temperature. Load the product, set the timer to the desired cook time, and the timer will count down. When the timer reaches 0, it chimes, but the heating elements do not shut off automatically—you must turn the timer or temperature dial off. The GS1743’s 1-shot steam button should be pressed for 1–2 seconds to clear air from the system before first use, and during cooking it should be used in shots of 5 seconds or less only when the oven is at operating temperature. If the oven reaches an unsafe temperature, a protection component shuts off the electrical components to prevent overheating.

Deep fryers and panini grills: operation and controls

Global Solutions deep fryers have a thermostat control dial that lets you select oil temperatures between 250°F and 375°F. An on/off switch powers the unit, and a working light (yellow or red) indicates when the heating element is active. The fryer is equipped with a safety thermostat that stops heating if the oil temperature exceeds 455°F. Always use fresh oil, and keep food as dry as possible to prevent foaming and overflow. The maximum amount of food to fry at one time is half the basket capacity. When the oil level approaches the minimum line on the tank, add cold oil carefully to reach the maximum line. Never leave the fryer with no oil in the tank, as this can trigger the safety thermostat.

The panini grills (GS1620 with flat plates, GS1621 with grooved plates) preheat in 2–3 minutes. Set the thermostat control dial to the desired temperature—most sandwiches grill best between 480°F and 540°F—and close the top plate. A power light shows the grill is on. Before first use, wash the grill surface with soap and water, dry it thoroughly, and apply a non-stick spray. Sandwiches typically take 2–5 minutes to heat through. Use light pressure when lowering the top plate; excessive pressure does not speed cooking and may compromise quality. Between sandwiches, wipe the grill surfaces with a clean, oiled paper towel. Both the deep fryer and panini grill manuals warn that the exterior becomes hot during normal operation, and the appliances should never be left unattended while in use.

Meat slicers: operation and blade care

The GS1600, GS1601, and GS1602 meat slicers are designed for non-frozen meat, sausage, deli meats, and cheeses. Only slicers equipped with a non-stick coated blade should be used for cheese. Do not slice frozen foods, meat with bones, fish, or any non-food products. Place the food on the tray, adjust the slice thickness with the knob, and ensure the plastic food baffle is in place unless the food size prevents it. Press the switch to start the blade, then move the food locating arm toward the blade. When finished, turn the power off and always return the thickness adjusting knob to position “0”.

The blade is made of high-strength stainless steel and needs sharpening only when it becomes too dull to make clean cuts. The manual provides a detailed sharpening procedure: unplug the unit, set the thickness knob to “0”, clean the blade, then plug the unit back in. Loosen the sharpener locking knob, lift and rotate the sharpener set 180° into working position, lower it until fixed, and press the button to bring the sharpener wheel to the blade edge. Tighten the locking knob, set the thickness knob to “2”, and run the blade for 10–60 seconds depending on dullness. If burrs remain, press the button for about 3 seconds to remove them. Return the thickness knob to “0”, put the sharpener set back, and clean the blade edge and sharpener stone with alcohol. Replace the blade when its diameter decreases by ¼ inch. The motor has overheat protection and will stop automatically; restart the slicer after the motor cools.

Induction range and soup kettle: operation and controls

The GS1680 portable induction range requires suitable cookware: flat-bottomed steel, cast iron, enameled iron, or stainless steel pans with a diameter of 5 to 10 inches. Do not use heat-resistant glass, ceramic, copper, aluminum, or round-bottomed pans, and never place empty cookware on the surface. Plug the unit into a grounded outlet of the correct voltage; it will beep once and the on/off button light will blink. Press the on/off button, then use the function button to toggle between heat, temp, and timer settings. Heat can be adjusted from 500W to 1800W (default 1200W), temperature from 140°F to 460°F (default 200°F), and the timer from 0 to 180 minutes in 5-minute increments. To activate the timer, ensure the timer indicator light is illuminated and let the settings stop blinking. The cooker will shut off automatically when the timer reaches 0, and the fan will cool the unit before turning off. Always press the on/off button and unplug the unit after use.

The GS1650 soup kettle is not designed to cook soups or sauces, nor to rethermalize cold or frozen products. It is a warmer only. Before use, add 20 ounces of water to the kettle, then place the soup kettle insert into the warmer. The insert should never float when empty; if it does, remove excess water immediately. Turn the warmer on—the indicator light glows—and set the temperature control dial. Settings 8–12 are for initial preheat; warming settings range from 1–8. Once the desired temperature is reached, adjust the dial to the lowest setting that maintains safe holding temperatures. Keep the hinged lid closed when not serving. Never move or carry the kettle when it is on or full of hot liquids.

Cleaning, troubleshooting, and service

Daily cleaning is essential for all Global Solutions equipment. For convection ovens, the manual says to wipe down interiors daily and clean thoroughly weekly with warm water and mild detergent. Never use caustic cleaners, and keep water and solutions out of controls. The stainless exterior can be cleaned with a stainless steel cleaner applied when the oven is cold, rubbing in the direction of the grain. Do not let chlorine sanitizer contact stainless steel for more than 10 minutes. Oven racks and slides may be cleaned outside the cavity with oven cleaner. For deep fryers, turn the temperature control off, unplug the unit, let it cool for 30 minutes, drain the oil, and clean with a damp cloth and mild, non-abrasive soap. Never use steel wool pads or direct water jets. Panini grills should cool for 30 minutes, then the plates can be cleaned with a non-abrasive cleaner; the exterior is wiped with a damp cloth and mild soap.

Meat slicers must be unplugged and the thickness knob set to “0” before cleaning. Use a damp cloth with mild soap (pH 7–8) and dry with a soft cloth. Do not spray the unit directly with water, and be cautious of the sharp blade. Clean the blade guard canopy’s inside and outside surfaces regularly with alcohol. The induction range should be unplugged and cooled, then wiped with a mild dishwashing cleaner and damp cloth; do not immerse in water or use a water jet. The soup kettle should be unplugged, and spilled food removed immediately from exterior surfaces and the top collar with a damp, soapy cloth. The food pan insert and lid are dishwasher safe; do not immerse the base in water. For any repair, always disconnect power and contact the manufacturer’s authorized service network.

Common questions