VULCAN VL3GSS (01) PDF DOCUMENT

In the event a gas odor is detected, shut down the VULCAN VL3GSS at the main shutoff valve and contact the local gas company or gas supplier for service. Post instructions to be followed in the event the smell of gas is detected in a prominent location. This information can be obtained from the local gas supplier.

Please adhere to the following safety warnings for your VULCAN VL3GSS:

FOR YOUR SAFETY: Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable vapors or liquids in the vicinity of this or any other appliance.

WARNING: Improper installation, adjustment, alteration, service or maintenance can cause property damage, injury or death. Read the installation, operating and maintenance instructions thoroughly before installing or servicing this equipment.

WARNING: The steamer and its parts are hot. Use care when operating, cleaning and servicing the steamer.

In the event of a power failure, do not attempt to operate the VULCAN VL3GSS.

Immediately after unpacking your VULCAN VL3GSS, check for possible shipping damage. If the food steamer is found to be damaged, save the packaging material and contact the carrier within 15 days of delivery.

The burner shipping restraint on your VULCAN VL3GSS must be removed. To do this, remove two hex nuts and two washers from the weldstuds on the boiler shell.

Position the VULCAN VL3GSS in its final location. Check that there are sufficient clearances to service the controls, for door swings, etc. Recommended clearances for proper operation is 36″ (91.4 cm) at the front. The required minimum clearance from combustible or noncombustible construction is 6″ (15 cm) at the sides and back. The recommended clearances for servicing the steamer are 18″ (46 cm) on the sides and back, and 36″ (91.4 cm) in the front. Clearances less than 18″ may require removal of adjacent equipment during servicing at customer’s expense. Allow enough space between any other piece of equipment or a wall for access.

The following table provides specific equipment clearances:

To level your VULCAN VL3GSS, place a level on the horizontal parts of the steamer. Adjust the feet at the base of the steamer to level it in both the left-to-right and front-to-rear directions. After leveling, raise up the steamer on the right side about 1/16″ to 1/8″ (0.16 to 0.32cm) to drain the cooking compartments by rotating the adjustable flanged feet 1 to 1 1/2 turns clockwise. Check by pouring a little water in the compartment; all the water should drain.

The feet have holes in the flanges for anchor bolts.

Proper water quality can improve the taste of the food, reduce liming, and extend equipment life. The water for your VULCAN VL3GSS should be within the following guidelines:

Presence of sediment, silica, excess chlorides or other dissolved solids may lead to a recommendation for alternate form(s) of water treatment. A water filter system is recommended for the water supply line.

WARNING: PLUMBING CONNECTIONS MUST COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE SANITARY, SAFETY AND PLUMBING CODES.

Water Supply Connections:

A water filter system is recommended for the water supply line going to the treated water inlet of your steamer. If a water filter is not installed, the steamer or steam generator warranty may be limited.

• Filtered Water Connection — 1/4″ NPT. Used for boiler feed water.

• Unfiltered Water Connection — 1/4″ NPT. Used as cold water condenser on boiler blow-down line.

Drain:

CAUTION: In order to avoid any back pressure in the steamers, do not connect solidly to any drain connection.

The drain must be the open air gap type. Provide a suitable floor sink with a minimum depth of 12″ (30 cm). The floor sink is NOT to be located directly under the steamer. Local codes require that the maximum temperature of drain water must be no greater than 140°F (60°C). The drain pipe should be either iron or copper. DO NOT use PVC pipe; PVC pipe may lose its rigidity or glue may fail.

CAUTION: All gas supply connections and any pipe joint compound used must be resistant to the action of liquefied petroleum gases.

Codes require that a gas shutoff valve be installed in the gas line ahead of the steamer. Connect the gas supply line to the 3/4″ NPT gas connection on the steamer. Make sure the pipes are clean and free of obstructions, dirt and piping compound. The gas line must be capable of delivering gas to the steamer without excessive pressure drop at the rate specified on the nameplate. Recommended gas line pressure is 7″ W.C. for natural gas and 11″ W.C. for propane gas.

IMPORTANT: Check burner manifold pressure with a manometer at the 1/8″ (0.32 cm) tap on the gas valve to make sure it is 4″ W.C. for natural gas or 9″ W.C. for propane.

WARNING: PRIOR TO LIGHTING, CHECK ALL JOINTS IN THE GAS SUPPLY LINE FOR LEAKS. USE SOAP AND WATER SOLUTION. DO NOT USE AN OPEN FLAME.

When test pressures exceed 1/2 psig (3.45 kPa), the VULCAN VL3GSS steamer and its individual shutoff valve must be disconnected from the gas supply piping system.

When test pressures are 1/2 psig (3.45 kPa) or less, the steamer must be isolated from the gas supply system by closing its individual manual shutoff valve.

A ventilating hood is recommended for the VULCAN VL3GSS. DO NOT obstruct the flow of flue gases from the flue located on the rear of the steamer. It is recommended that the flue gases be ventilated to the outside of the building through a ventilation system installed by qualified personnel.

WARNING: ELECTRICAL AND GROUNDING CONNECTIONS MUST COMPLY WITH THE APPLICABLE PORTIONS OF THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE AND/OR OTHER LOCAL ELECTRICAL CODES.

WARNING: DISCONNECT THE ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE MACHINE AND FOLLOW LOCKOUT / TAGOUT PROCEDURES.

The electrical supply (120 volt, 60 Hertz, 1 Phase) must be connected to the pigtail leads in the junction box located next to the boiler control box. Use #18 AWG copper wire suitable for at least 105°C temperature. Connect a grounding wire to the ground lug in the junction box.

Follow these steps to start your VULCAN VL3GSS:

1. Make sure all supply connections for electric, gas and water are on.

2. Turn the knob on the Gas Combination Valve counterclockwise to the ON position.

3. If equipped with the Manual Blow Down Valve, make sure it is closed.

4. Keep both valves (one each at the top and bottom) of the gauge glass open at all times.

5. Press the top half of the Boiler On – Off switch to turn it on. The red light comes on.

6. Make sure the Ignition Switch is ON.

7. The electrode will begin sparking, and the pilot will light.

8. Look at pilot flame to make sure the pilot light has lit. If not, turn Ignition Switch Off, wait 5 minutes and repeat Step 6. If after the third attempt the pilot does not light, call for service.

9. The pilot light will remain lit as long as the Boiler On – Off switch is in the ON position.

10. When water level is satisfied, press Reset. The Hi Limit Pressure and Low Water lights should go off and the main Burner should light.

11. The cycling pressure switch will open and close the combination valve, which, in turn, will cycle the main burner.

1. Prepare vegetables, fruits, meats, seafood and poultry as you would for steam cooking or cooking in water, clean, separate, cut, remove stems, and place in a pan.

2. Place loaded pans in the compartment and close the compartment door. Turn the door screw handle clockwise to seal the door gasket. Additional tightening of the door screw may be needed to eliminate leaks. The compartment pressure gauge typically reaches a maximum pressure of (5 to 6 psi).

3. The timer knob must be turned to 5 minutes or beyond. The knob may then be turned back to a lower setting if a shorter cooking cycle is desired. Set the timer to the sum of the desired cooking time plus some minutes allowed for preheat. The preheat allowance will generally be 5 to 10 minutes.

4. Press the top half of the red switch located under the timer; the cooking light will come on. This closes the drain, allows steam to enter the compartment and starts the timer. If steam leaks around the door gasket, tighten the door screw. Do not overtighten the door screw.

5. Steam automatically exhausts one minute before the end of the cooking cycle, and the steam supply shuts off. Never attempt to open the compartment door during the cooking cycle, when the cooking light is lit or before the buzzer sounds.

6. At the end of the cooking cycle (and the 1 minute exhaust period), the cooking light shuts off and the buzzer sounds. Turn the compartment switch off by pressing the bottom half of the red switch; this also shuts off the buzzer. Loosen the door screw and allow moisture to escape. After a few seconds, move the latch paddle to the left, then slowly open the door and remove the pans of food.

WARNING: THE WATER BEING DRAINED IS HOT AND UNDER PRESSURE. USE CARE WHEN SERVICING THE STEAM GENERATOR.

To prevent malfunction of controls from scale related clogging, it is essential to flush (blow down) the steam generator every day. Failure to do so may void the steamer warranty.

1. Turn the power switch OFF. Steamers equipped with automatic blow down will blow down.

2. If your VULCAN VL3GSS is equipped with manual blow down, open the blow down valve.

For an extended shutdown of your VULCAN VL3GSS, turn the Boiler On-Off switch off; turn the Ignition Switch off. Allow to blow down before water is shut off. Close the water inlet valve(s). Close the gas shutoff valve. Shut off the electrical supply to the machine. Clean the compartments. Leave the doors open.

The VULCAN VL3GSS steamer compartments are designed to accept combinations of perforated or solid cooking pans as listed in the table below:

Separate frozen food packs into smaller chunks. If unpacked pre-cooked frozen dishes require more than 15 minutes to cook, cover the pan. When a cover is used, about one-third more cooking time is required. This is true only of foods in either portion size or in larger sizes which cannot be cooked in the covered containers in which they are packed.

Cooking time required for frozen foods depends upon the amount of defrosting required. If time permits, allow the frozen foods to partially thaw overnight in a refrigerator. This will reduce their cooking times.

WARNING: DISCONNECT THE ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE MACHINE AND FOLLOW LOCKOUT/TAGOUT PROCEDURES BEFORE CLEANING.

Cooking Compartment Drains:

Keep compartment drains running freely. Inspect compartment drains daily for blockage. Remove any particles or debris from the perforated strainer daily (or more often if needed). After cooking greasy foods or seafood, close the doors and operate each compartment for 15 to 30 minutes to flush any residual grease and oils down the compartment drain. Make a solution of warm water and detergent and pour 1/2 gallon (1.9 liters) of it down each compartment drain. Rinse by pouring 1/2 gallon (1.9 liters) of hot water down each compartment drain.

Compartments:

Wash the inside of the compartment with a solution of warm water and detergent. Rinse with warm water. Once a week, thoroughly clean the exposed surfaces (sides, front, door and top) with a damp cloth and polish with a clean cloth. To remove discolorations, use a nonabrasive cleaner.

To prevent malfunction of controls from scale related clogging, it is essential to blow down the boiler every day. This will flush out any accumulated minerals from the feed water. It will also aid in preventing internal scale buildup which would interfere with proper boiler operation. Failure to blow down the boiler every day may void the steamer warranty.

WARNING: THE WATER BEING DRAINED IS HOT AND UNDER PRESSURE. USE CARE WHEN CLEANING OR SERVICING THE BOILER.

After the VULCAN VL3GSS boiler has been in operation, blow down the boiler for approximately 5 minutes. This will remove sediment, scale or lime buildup in the boiler.

Clean the gasket sealing surface of the compartment doors to remove harmful food acids for maximum gasket life. Do not use any solvents. Wash with a cloth moistened in a solution of mild detergent and warm water. Rinse with a fresh cloth moistened with warm water to remove all traces of detergent. Wipe dry with a clean cloth. Never apply food oils or petroleum lubricants directly to the door gasket. Petroleum-based solvents and lubricants will shorten gasket life.

There are four things that can break down stainless steel and allow corrosion to develop: 1) abrasion, 2) deposits, 3) water and 4) chlorides.

Avoid rubbing with steel pads, wire brushes or scrapers that can leave iron deposits on stainless steel. Instead, use plastic scouring pads or soft cloths. For stubborn stains, use products such as Cameo, Talc or Zud First Impression. Always rub parallel to the polish lines or with the grain.

Hard water can leave deposits that promote rust on stainless steel. Treated water from softeners or certain filters can eliminate these mineral deposits. Other deposits from food or lubrication must be properly removed by cleaning. Use mild detergent and nonchloride cleaners. Rinse thoroughly. Wipe dry. If using chloride-containing cleaners or sanitizers, rinse repeatedly to avoid stainless steel corrosion. Where appropriate, apply a polish recommended for stainless steel (such as Benefit or Super Sheen) for extra protection and lustre.

CAUTION: Leave the compartment doors slightly open when the steamer is not in use. When the compartment is idle, never latch the door and apply pressure to the door gasket. Leaving the gasket under pressure can cause permanent deformation, greatly shortening gasket life.

If the door gasket is nicked or cut, it must be replaced. Damage to the gasket sealing surface will cause steam leakage.

If a leak occurs in one corner only and the gasket appears serviceable, turn the stainless steel screw on the gasket plate adjacent to the leaking corner one-half turn counterclockwise. Do not attempt excessive turning of screws since misalignment of the door is possible. If the door is misaligned, call your local Vulcan-authorized servicer.

Check the water level gauge sight glass daily. The correct water level is approximately 1″ (2.5 cm) of water visible in the water level gauge sight glass. Extremely murky water in the sight glass indicates bad water conditions. The boiler should be blown down. If conditions persist, have the boiler inspected and cleaned by your local Vulcan-Hart servicer.

Annually, when the VULCAN VL3GSS is cool, check the flue and clear any obstructions.

Periodic maintenance is necessary to keep your boiler clean and efficient. Initially, after three months of steamer usage, it is recommended that you have your Vulcan-Hart authorized servicer inspect the boiler and perform descaler maintenance. Local water conditions and steamer usage will determine the frequency that this service must be repeated; however, a minimum recommendation is once a year. This maintenance is not covered by warranty.

Cathodic protector(s) are provided inside the boiler to reduce boiler and component corrosion and reduce accumulation of scale from forming on the boiler interior walls. The cathodic protector(s) will be consumed. An inspection by service personnel is recommended so that the expected normal life of the cathodic protector(s) can be estimated under your operating conditions. Thereafter, the cathodic protector(s) can be serviced at the appropriate frequency for your situation.

The door screw on your VULCAN VL3GSS will require periodic relubrication by applying a bead of lubricant across the door handle screw threads. When the door screw is properly lubricated, the hand pressure required to seal the door is greatly reduced and the life of the screw and nut are lengthened. Frequency of lubrication depends upon use. Lubricate monthly at first and let experience determine the frequency. A high-temperature grease for the door screw can be obtained from Vulcan-Hart.

If your VULCAN VL3GSS will not heat or build pressure, check for the following possible causes:

1. Water supply to steamer is not turned on.

2. Water filter may be clogged.

3. Main gas supply valve may be turned off.

4. Electrical supply may be off or disconnected.

5. Combination gas valve may be turned off.

6. Ignition switch may be turned off.

If water accumulates in the compartment of your VULCAN VL3GSS, the drain may be clogged. Clear the drain.