Troubleshooting the W-4 Slow Cooking Warning

Overview

The W4 Slow Cooking error appears on the Quantum Open Fryer at the end of a cook cycle. This message indicates that the actual cook time exceeded the programmed limit for that product. It does not indicate a technical failure but rather a cooking delay, often due to overloading the fryer basket.

Call Avoidance

To help the end user resolve the issue without a service call:

  1. Check product load in the fryer basket, using the following fill guidelines:

    • Top fill line = Half bag of waffle fries

    • Middle fill line = Quarter bag of waffle fries

    • NOTE: Do not exceed the top fill line.

    • Verify the product is not frozen

  2. Press the check mark button to clear the W4 message.

  3. Verify if a discard warning is shown:

    • If no discard warning appears, the food is still safe to serve.

    • If a discard warning appears, the food must be discarded.

Field Troubleshooting

If call avoidance steps do not resolve the issue, proceed with the following field troubleshooting steps:

Recommended Parts:

No replacement parts are typically required for this issue.

Recommended Tools:

No tools are required unless further diagnostics are needed.

Troubleshooting

  1. Check the display for a W4 Slow Cooking message.

    • If W4 only, proceed to Step 2.

    • If Discard warning also appears, advise the customer to discard the product.

  2. Ask the operator how much product was loaded.

    • If the basket was overfilled, educate on proper fill levels.

    • If the basket was not overfilled, go to Step 3.

  3. Ask the operator if the product is frozen.

    • If the product is not frozen, go to Step 3.

  4. Check amp draw, typically this would cause a W-7 Error.

Other Possibilities

Rare case: If the fryer consistently shows W4 errors without overloading frozen product and amp draw is normal, the issue may be due to:

  • Cold oil temperature at start of cook cycle: Ensure oil is at proper temperature before cooking (e.g., 350°F / 177°C).

  • Too much oil in fryer: Verify oil level at cooking temperature does not exceed higher than the upper fill line in the vat.