# Prince Castle Toasters, Holding Bins and Dice Witch: Use and Care

> How to set up, run, clean and troubleshoot Prince Castle contact toasters, Toast EZ, EHB holding bins and the Dice Witch dicer, from Prince Castle's manuals.

How-to by Norpex. Published 2026-11-01, updated 2026-11-01.
Canonical: https://norpex.ca/guides/prince-castle-toasters-holding-bins-and-dice-witch

![Prince Castle 297 series vertical contact toaster with temperature and crush adjust controls](https://norpex.ca/m/be/62/be62aab1895b3f2946f2916ce6c061cf85299ef7262be683cbb2242bc81ac895.jpg)

Pictured: [Prince Castle 297-T9 Vertical Contact Toaster](https://norpex.ca/product/prince-castle-9-second-vertical-contact-toaster-slim-line-bun-north-american-version-297-t9)

This guide covers daily operation, cleaning, and basic troubleshooting for Prince Castle 296/297 series vertical contact toasters, the Toast EZ dual-lane infrared toaster, EHB electronic holding bins, the DHB2PT dedicated holding bin, and the Dice Witch 910 dicer. All steps are drawn from the manufacturer's own manuals and spec sheets.

## Key takeaways

- Always allow toaster platens to cool for 60 minutes before cleaning.
- EHB holding bins need 20 minutes to reach operating temperature; the dedicated bin needs 30 minutes.
- Lubricate the Dice Witch guide rods with a food-grade lubricant before dicing the first product of the day.
- Never clean the toasters or holding bins with a water jet or by immersing them, and never use abrasive pads on platens or release sheets.
- For electrical installation, a qualified, licensed installer must follow local codes.

## Models covered and manuals

We list a wide range of Prince Castle products, including slicers, wedgers, timers and dispensers. This guide covers the equipment whose operating manuals we have: the 296 and 297 series vertical contact toasters, the Toast EZ dual-lane infrared toaster, the EHB electronic holding bins (General Market and EHB series), the DHB2PT dedicated holding bin and the Dice Witch 910 dicer.

Each machine has its own manual. The 296/297 series manual (197-538revG-EN) covers installation, operation, adjustments, cleaning, and troubleshooting. The Toast EZ manual (375-0500\_EN) covers the dual-lane infrared toaster. The EHB General Market manual (540-1730) and the EHB Series manual (540-537revL-EN) cover the electronic holding bins. The dedicated holding bin manual (540-523) covers model DHB2PT-20PUBGBN. The Dice Witch manual (910-512revB) covers the 910-A series dicer.

Every other Prince Castle machine comes with its own manual; Norpex can send you the one for your model.

## Installation and setup

All electrical connections are made by a qualified, licensed installer to local electrical code.

For the 296/297 series vertical contact toasters, place the toaster on a flat surface, remove all packing materials, install the Teflon release sheet with a three-inch overhang, attach the conveyor, and plug into a grounded receptacle.

The Toast EZ dual-lane toaster requires a countertop that supports at least 85 lbs (38.5 kg). Prince Castle's installation and operation manual states minimum clearances of 2 inches from the back, 1 inch from the sides, and 24 inches above the unit or placement under a hood. The unit must be connected to a dedicated NEMA L6-30 outlet (domestic) or 6-30 outlet (international) on a 30-amp breaker, and the outlet must not exceed 208V. Two people are needed to lift the 85-lb toaster.

EHB holding bins should be placed on a flat surface with the ambient temperature not exceeding 100°F (38°C), as noted in the EHB General Market manual. Plug into a grounded receptacle with matching plug configuration. The dedicated holding bin (DHB2PT) must be sealed to the counter with a food-approved sealant and plugged into a dedicated outlet; its manual also limits ambient temperature to 100°F (37.8°C).

The Dice Witch 910 dicer requires no electrical connection. Place it on a clean, sanitized food prep table. Ensure the rubber feet are intact to prevent sliding.

## Daily operation and controls

296/297 Series Vertical Contact Toasters: Turn the power switch on; the orange indicator light illuminates. Allow 30 minutes for the platen to reach operating temperature. Place the product into the top of the conveyor housing with the side to be toasted facing the platen. The toasted product dispenses automatically from the bottom. Adjust bun compression using the two platen adjustment knobs (1 for thinnest, 5 for thickest) and platen temperature via the thermostat knob (clockwise for darker, counterclockwise for lighter). After adjusting the thermostat, allow 15 minutes for the toaster to stabilize.

Toast EZ Dual-Lane Toaster: Turn the main power switch on. The control display shows a heating-up screen; the manual says it takes approximately 12 minutes to reach steady cook temperature from room temperature. Use the 5-inch LCD touchscreen to select or set up recipes. Each lane has independently controlled toast time (6–90 seconds) and temperature.

EHB Electronic Holding Bins: Turn the power switch on. The button bar displays 'WARM UP' while the unit heats; allow 20 minutes to reach operating temperature. Press the pan arrow buttons to start timing cycles. The LED timers indicate product status: on the General Market series, steady red means ready, flashing red means discard, steady green means oldest product (use first), flashing green means cook more, steady yellow means newer product, and flashing yellow means cook more. The manuals explain how to set product locations, change hold and cook-more times, and adjust temperatures.

Dedicated Holding Bin (DHB2PT): Turn the power switch on and allow 30 minutes for warm-up. The temperature display shows the current temperature. The unit has two shelves, each with an upper and lower heater. Upper heaters can be set between 150°F and 350°F (65.6°C–176.7°C); lower heaters between 150°F and 260°F (65.6°C–126.7°C). Use the control panel buttons to program set points.

Dice Witch 910: Before first use each day, lubricate the guide rods with a food-grade lubricant (the manual names Petrogel, Taylor Lube and Lubrifilm). Ensure the thumbscrews on the blade cover are tight. Place a clean, sanitized 1/6-size tomato pan with a false bottom under the dicer. Pull the handle all the way up, insert a tomato core-side down, and push the handle down with a quick, firm stroke until the pusher head stops. Use the provided tongs to move any leftover tomato to the centre and re-dice.

## Cleaning and routine care

296/297 Series: Turn off and unplug the toaster. Allow the platen to cool for 60 minutes. Remove the conveyor assembly and wipe it with a damp cloth; use a soft bristle brush on the chain. Remove the release sheet, lay it flat, and clean both sides with a damp cloth to remove all carbon buildup. Wipe the platen surface with a damp cloth. Do not use sharp objects, Scotch Brite pads, scouring pads, or abrasive cleaners on the platen or release sheets. Rotate two release sheets daily for longer life. Once a month, place 2–3 drops of oil on the motor shaft or oil hole.

The Toast EZ is cleaned daily at the end of the day: turn it off and let it cool for 15 minutes, then slide out the crumb trays and bumpers (no tools needed) and wash them in warm water with an approved food-service sanitizer or mild detergent, or wipe them with a damp cloth and sanitizer. Spray cleaner onto the cloth or a non-abrasive pad, never directly onto the toaster, and never hose or immerse the unit.

EHB Holding Bins and Dedicated Holding Bin: Turn off and unplug the unit. Remove pans and covers. Wipe all parts and the unit with a damp cloth. Do not use a green Scotch Brite pad, ice, or water. The units are not watertight; never clean with a water jet or immerse in water.

Dice Witch 910: After each use, spray the blade assembly and pusher head with hot water to remove residue. The unit is not dishwasher safe. Brush the pusher head and blades with a nylon pot brush and a hot all-purpose cleaner solution. Rinse by spraying with hot water. Sanitize by immersing the whole assembly in a sanitizer solution. Let air dry.

## Troubleshooting common issues

The 296/297 series manual includes a troubleshooting table. If the unit will not heat up and the power rocker switch light is off, check the power cord, receptacle, and connections; the switch or cord may need replacement. If the light is on but no heat, the thermostat or platen may be inoperable. If the conveyor does not run, check the motor switch connection, motor, drive gear, chain sprockets, and gear meshing (see conveyor and motor gears adjustment). If the unit under- or over-heats, the thermostat may need replacement. If buns are under or over done, adjust platen compression and temperature.

The Dice Witch manual lists three problems: if the pusher head is hard to push, lubricate the guide rods. If the pusher head hits the blades, tighten the thumbscrews on the pusher head assembly. If tomatoes are not dicing, the blades are dull and must be replaced (order part no. 910-50 for 910-A dicers).

The EHB holding bin manual's table: no power means the switch is off or the cord is unplugged; a bin that runs too hot or cold needs its temperature settings checked; a HOLD message on a 3x4 bin only means its two boards are communicating, so wait for it to clear. A bin that will not heat, timer bars that do not work, OPN or SHR with REL on the display (a relay or heater fault), or HHH for a long time with a hot surface (above 300°F) are for Prince Castle technical support. On the Toast EZ, numbered error codes such as E06, E08, E10 and E16 come with reset steps in its troubleshooting pages, several of which need the manager PIN; a code that persists goes to technical support.

## Service and support

Prince Castle equipment is serviced by a Prince Castle authorized service agency or a Prince Castle service technician, using genuine Prince Castle replacement parts. Never attempt to repair electrical or heating components yourself.

## Common questions

### How long does it take for the Prince Castle vertical contact toaster to heat up?

The 296/297 series manual says to allow 30 minutes for the platen to reach operating temperature after turning the power switch on.

### Can I clean the release sheets with a scouring pad?

No. The manual explicitly warns against using sharp objects, Scotch Brite pads, scouring pads, or abrasive cleaners on the platen or Teflon release sheets, as they will cause irreparable damage.

### What does a flashing red LED mean on an EHB holding bin?

On the EHB General Market bins, a flashing red LED means discard the product. Steady red means ready for product, steady green marks the oldest product to use first, steady yellow a newer one, and flashing green or yellow means cook more.

### How do I replace the blades on the Dice Witch 910?

Remove the pusher head, then remove the two thumbscrews and blade cover. Push the old blade set up and out from the bottom. Insert a new blade set with the sharp edges facing up, replace the cover, and tighten the thumbscrews. The manual advises keeping an extra blade set on hand.

### What clearance does the Toast EZ dual-lane toaster need?

Prince Castle's installation and operation manual requires at least 2 inches of clearance from the back, 1 inch from the sides, and 24 inches above the unit or placement under a hood. The countertop must support at least 85 lbs.

## Related guides

- [Hot Food Holding Equipment Guide: Cabinets, Steam Tables, Warmers](https://norpex.ca/guides/hot-food-holding-guide)
- [Café and Coffee Shop Equipment List: Planning the Bar and Kitchen](https://norpex.ca/guides/cafe-equipment-list)

## Shop the catalogue

- [Conveyor Toasters](https://norpex.ca/products/conveyor-toasters)
- [Holding Cabinets](https://norpex.ca/products/holding-cabinets)
- [Food Preparation](https://norpex.ca/products/food-preparation)