Troubleshooting Your Turkey Fryer When It Won’t Stay Lit

SureSpark Turkey Fryer Kit. Everything you need to prepare a delicious fried turkey and in only 3.5 minutes per pound of turkey (56 minutes for a 16lb turkey)! Heavy-gauge aluminum pot cooks turkeys up to 18 lbs (30qt pot) and up to 22 lbs (36qt pot.) SureSpark Electronic Ignition is a Game Changer. Lighting your fryer only requires the push of a button…no more matches and lighters. SmartTemp technology monitors oil temperature and prevents overheating WITHOUT having to reset a timer every 15 minutes. Twist & Drain technology provides easy, hands-free draining. The kit includes a heavy-duty, welded fryer stand with a powerful 54,000 BTU burner. Kit also includes a fry basket AND poultry stand with lifting hook, 30qt aluminum pot and lid with Lid Assist, and 12” oil thermometer. Works great for boiling large quantities of food.

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Frying a turkey can be a great way to prepare a juicy and delicious holiday meal However, it can quickly turn into a frustrating experience if your turkey fryer won’t stay lit As an avid turkey fryer enthusiast, I’ve encountered this issue more times than I can count. But over the years, I’ve learned how to troubleshoot and fix a turkey fryer that won’t stay lit. In this article, I’ll share everything I know to help you get your turkey fryer working properly again.

Common Causes of a Turkey Fryer Not Staying Lit

Before jumping into solutions it’s important to understand what might be causing your turkey fryer to not stay lit in the first place. Here are some of the most common culprits:

Faulty or dirty thermocouple – The thermocouple is a heat sensor that detects the pilot light flame If it’s dirty or defective, it can fail to keep the gas valve open.
Incorrect gas flow – If the propane tank valve isn’t fully opened or there’s a kink in the hose, insufficient gas will reach the burner.
Clogged burner – Leftover food debris or grease buildup can clog the burner ports, disrupting even flame distribution.
Windy conditions – Strong winds can blow out the turkey fryer flame.
Damaged igniter or gas valve – Critical fryer components like the igniter or gas valve can malfunction and prevent the burner from staying lit.

Now let’s look at how to pinpoint and fix each of these potential issues.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Follow these steps to methodically diagnose and address what’s causing your turkey fryer problems:

Inspect the Thermocouple
- Make sure it’s properly positioned in the pilot light flame path. Adjust it closer to the flame if needed.
- Remove any food debris or grease buildup on the thermocouple with steel wool or an abrasive scrub.
- Check for damage. Replace the thermocouple if it’s cracked or worn out.
Check for Gas Flow Obstructions
- Verify the propane tank valve is fully open. Sometimes the valve can get bumped partially closed.
- Inspect the hose for kinks and straighten any out.
- Ensure the hose is not pinched behind the fryer.
- Confirm the regulator is correctly adjusted for the proper gas pressure.
- Replace damaged hoses that have cracks or holes.
Clean the Burner
- Remove the burner and scrub away any food debris clogging the ports. Use a pipe cleaner to clear them.
- Clean out the venturi tube that mixes air into the gas flow.
- Rinse and dry the burner thoroughly before reinstalling.
Shelter from Wind
- Position the turkey fryer in a protected area out of the wind.
- Construct a temporary windbreak using plywood or cardboard.
- Avoid operating in excessively windy conditions.
Replace Damaged Components
- Test the igniter and replace if it’s no longer heating up red hot.
- Inspect the gas valve for defects and replace if faulty.
- Have a technician service the fryer if you’re unfamiliar with replacing components.

Helpful Tips to Prevent Future Lighting Problems

Besides properly troubleshooting and repairing your turkey fryer, there are some helpful maintenance tips that can prevent lighting issues in the future:

Keep it clean: Regularly remove grease buildup and food debris from key components like the burner, thermocouple, and igniter.
Shelter from wind: Set up a windbreak and orient the fryer away from gusts when cooking.
Protect the hose: Avoid kinking and inspect the hose for damage. Keep it safely stored when not in use.
Check connections: Verify gas valves, regulators, and hoses are tightly secured and leak-free before each use.
Have a backup igniter: Keep a spare igniter on hand for quick replacement if yours fails.

Don’t Let a Dark Fryer Ruin Your Holiday Cooking

As you can see, there are a variety of fixes for a turkey fryer that won’t stay lit. The key is methodically troubleshooting the root cause, whether it’s a thermocouple issue, gas flow blockage, damaged component, or other problem. And with some preventive maintenance, you can avoid fighting with your turkey fryer altogether.

Some key points to remember:

Check the thermocouple, gas flow, burner, and surrounding wind first when troubleshooting
Clean debris from ports, straighten kinks, and adjust regulator to improve gas flow
Replace damaged thermocouples, igniters or valves if needed
Prevent issues by keeping the fryer clean and protected from wind

With the right repairs and maintenance, your turkey fryer will stay lit. So don’t let a malfunctioning turkey fryer ruin your next holiday meal. Follow this guide to get it working properly again! Delicious fried turkey is worth the effort.

turkey fryer not staying lit

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SureSpark Push Button Electronic Ignition redefines safety and convenience
Twist & Drain system allows the basket to rest in place for hands-free draining
SmartTemp technology prevents oil from overheating AND means you never have to reset a timer
Heavy duty welded stand requires no assembly and lasts season after season
Convenient Lid Assist hooks lid to the side of the pot for safekeeping
54,000 BTU high-pressure burner heats oil in as little as 20 minutes
12″ stainless steel thermometer

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Unique Fryer Features • • •

“SureSpark®” Electronic Ignition Featuring our reliable SureSpark® Electronic Ignition. A simple, built-in, push-button spark generator that instantly lights you fryer once you turn on the propane. No matches needed!

SmartTemp™ Technology Our innovative SmartTemp™ Technology prevents oil from overheating and means you never have to set a timer.

Patented Lid Assist Our turkey fryers feature an integrated lid hook that allows you to hang the Lid Assist on the side of the pot for safekeeping.

Powerful Burner and Stand Turkey Fryer Kits come with a heavy-duty, welded, fryer stand with a powerful 54,000 BTU burner.

FIXED: Turkey Fryer won’t stay lit / Flame goes out

FAQ

Why won’t my deep fryer stay lit?

If the pilot still will not stay lit, then the thermopile is most likely the culprit. One end is attached to the pilot and the other is attached to the gas valve. Remove the thermopile from both places and replace. Light the pilot, and if it remains lit you are good to go.

Why does the flame keep going out on my deep fryer?

This problem could be caused by a few different things. You should check the condition of your pilot and the thermocouple, if the pilot is weak due to being dirty you will not generate the optimum Millivolts to run the fryer, you may need to dissassemble and clean the pilot.

Why does my fryer keep turning off?

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Faulty thermostat:

This is the most common culprit, where the thermostat incorrectly reads the oil temperature as too hot, causing the fryer to shut off prematurely.
Clogged burner ports:

Grease and food debris can build up in the burner orifices, preventing proper flame ignition and causing the fryer to shut off due to insufficient heat.
Malfunctioning high-limit switch:

This safety feature is designed to cut power if the oil gets dangerously hot, but if the switch malfunctions, it can trigger shut-off even at normal temperatures.
Damaged wiring:

Worn or frayed wires can cause intermittent power disruptions, leading to the fryer turning off unexpectedly.
Overheating protection:

If you overload the fryer with too much food, it may activate the overheat protection mechanism, causing it to shut off.

Why does my fryer pilot light keep going out?

Clean the pilot orifice: The pilot orifice can become clogged with debris or oil, which can prevent it from staying lit. You can clean the orifice using a needle or a small brush.

Why does my turkey fryer not stay lit?

If Browning Turkey Fryer Won’t Stay Lit You can simply solve this issue by moving the thermocouple next to the edge of your burner. Turn your adjustable regulator to the on position. Then, place the sensors close to the burner and your fryer will stay lit.

What if Bass Pro turkey fryer won’t stay lit?

If Bass Pro Turkey Fryer Won’t Stay Lit Inspect if the brass connector that connects the timer /over-temp sensor wires to the gas line is loose. If they lose, tighten them. Press that button on the timer box. Set a button around the timer so it runs all the time.

Can a turkey fryer light a problem?

Besides properly troubleshooting and repairing your turkey fryer, there are some helpful maintenance tips that can prevent lighting issues in the future: Keep it clean: Regularly remove grease buildup and food debris from key components like the burner, thermocouple, and igniter.

Why does my turkey fryer turn off when there is no heat?

When there is no heat detected by the turkey fryer … …it will turn off the gas. This is to keep the gas from leaking if the fire goes out. In light of this, a thermocouple is installed on the turkey fryer to detect heat…. If you set the sensors too far away from the burner, your fryer will not remain lit….

Does Brinkmann turkey fryer turn off gas?

The Brinkmann Turkey fryer has a feature on it that will switch off the gas when it does not detect any heat. This is to prevent the gas from leaking in case of the fire going out. What to do if Bass Pro turkey fryer won’t stay lit?

Why is my turkey fryer not burning?

In light of this, a thermocouple is installed on the turkey fryer to detect heat…. If you set the sensors too far away from the burner, your fryer will not remain lit…. Simply move the thermocouple to the edge of your burner to correct this…. This manner, it can simply detect the flame and keep the burner burning….