EEG-243

Overview

The Henny Penny EEG-243 Evolution Elite is a three-well gas open fryer for commercial kitchens. Its reduced-oil-capacity vats are available in full, split or combination configurations. A full vat holds 30 lb (15 L) of oil. The manufacturer states that the fryer cooks the same-size load in 40% less oil than a standard 50 lb vat; the product listing also describes oil use as up to 40% lower.

The EEG-243 uses natural gas or liquid petroleum heating and has an ENERGY STAR mark. Its integrated oil-management and filtering features are intended to help operators manage oil level and filtration across multiple vats.

Key Features

• Three-well flexibility: Choose full, split or combination vat arrangements to suit the menu and kitchen workflow.
• Oil Guardian automatic top-off: Sensors monitor oil level and add fresh oil from a jug-in-box or another reservoir in the fryer cabinet. This reduces the need for manual add-backs.
• Smart Touch Filtration: Filter an individual vat when needed while cooking continues in the other vats. The touch-activated system tracks cook cycles and prompts operators to filter, drains and filters oil, uses rinse-wave action to remove crumbs, and returns hot filtered oil to the vat.
• Filtration time: The manufacturer states that hot filtered oil can return in less than four minutes when the specified ambient temperature, drain-pan temperature and filtration-media conditions are met.
• iControl: Programmable operation includes 40 available cooking programs, idle and melt modes, load compensation, proportional control, filter tracking, clean-out mode, language selection and USB support.
• Heating and controls: High-efficiency burners use solid-state ignition. The control includes high-limit temperature protection.
• Construction and mobility: Heavy-duty stainless-steel vats have a seven-year warranty. Stainless-steel construction is specified for easy cleaning and long life. The unit has four heavy-duty casters, two of them locking.
• Optional equipment: Auto lift and bulk-oil disposal are available at additional charge. The manufacturer also lists a matching-profile fryer dump station, oil disposal shuttle, fry-well covers, SmartFilter pads, SmartFilter paper and an oil dispensing jug as optional accessories. Fry baskets are listed as an additional-charge item; a basket support for each vat and an installation and operating manual are listed with the unit.

Specifications

• Model: Henny Penny EEG-243 Evolution Elite gas open fryer.
• Wells: 3.
• Vat configurations: Full, split or combination.
• Oil capacity: 30 lb (15 L) per full vat.
• Gas type: Natural gas or liquid petroleum.
• Burners and heat input: 12 burners; 225,000 BTU/hr (59.4 kW).
• Gas line: 1.0 in, as specified for the three-well model.
• Electrical options: 120 V, single phase, 60 Hz, 12.2 A in the data sheet; the operator’s manual lists 120 V, 50/60 Hz, 1 phase, 12 A. The manual also lists 230 V, 50 Hz, single phase, 7 A.
• Dimensions: 47.50 in (1207 mm) wide × 32.25 in (819 mm) deep × 45.75 in (1162 mm) high.
• Height with optional auto lift: Add 10.25 in (260 mm).
• Crated dimensions: 54 in (1372 mm) long × 39 in (991 mm) deep × 55 in (1397 mm) high.
• Crated volume: 67 ft³ (1.9 m³).
• Listed weights by vat arrangement: 650 lb (295 kg) for two full vats; 611 lb (277 kg) for three full vats; 694 lb (315 kg) for three split vats.
• ENERGY STAR: The fryer qualifies for the ENERGY STAR mark.
• Vat warranty: Seven years, according to the product listing and manufacturer specification sheet.

Installation & Requirements

Clearances and ventilation

The manufacturer’s data sheet specifies 2 in (51 mm) at the sides from combustible materials or other heat-producing equipment; otherwise, no side clearance is required. It specifies 6 in (152 mm) at the back for airflow and connections, and 30 in (762 mm) at the front to remove the drain pan. Allow 11 in (280 mm) above the fryer for the optional auto lift. The operator’s manual separately specifies at least 2 in (5.08 cm) from combustible materials at the sides and 4 in (10.16 cm) at the back, and states that clearances from non-combustible materials are 0 in at the sides and back. The data sheet and manual give different back-clearance figures; consult the applicable installation documentation for the unit.

The manual states that the fryer is intended to operate on non-combustible floors and must be positioned and installed to prevent water from contacting the shortening. It requires provision for ventilation into an adequate exhaust hood or ventilation system to remove steam exhaust and frying odours. Ventilation must conform to applicable local, provincial or national requirements; the manual advises consulting local fire or building authorities.

Gas and electrical connections

The EEG-243 is factory available for natural gas or propane. Check the data plate inside the left front cabinet door to confirm the required fuel. The manual gives minimum supply pressures of 7 in water column (1.7 kPa) for natural gas and 10 in water column (2.49 kPa) for propane. It states that the gas pressure regulator is factory set and is not to be adjusted by the user. Do not use a fuel other than the one shown on the data plate.

For the three-well fryer, the manual recommends a 1 in (2.54 cm) black steel pipe and malleable fittings for the gas service connection; it says not to use cast-iron fittings. Gas piping must provide sufficient supply without undue pressure loss. Installation in Canada must follow CSA B149.1 and applicable local codes. The manual also gives requirements for isolating or disconnecting the fryer during gas-system pressure testing.

Electrical options listed in the manual are 120 V, 50/60 Hz, single phase, 12 A, or 230 V, 50 Hz, single phase, 7 A. The 120 V unit is supplied with a grounded cord and plug; the manual says not to remove the grounding prong. It requires an external circuit breaker with a 3 mm disconnection in all ungrounded conductors. In Canada, electrical connections are to follow CSA C22.2, Canadian Electrical Code Part 1, and/or local codes.

Operation

At startup, the operator’s manual directs the user to turn the power switch off, wait at least five minutes, then turn the switch on and press the control button for the relevant side. The burner lights and operates in a melt cycle until the shortening reaches its preset temperature. When the display shows a product selection or double dashes, select the product using the controls. The manual states that pressing the control button turns off the burner; switching off the power turns off all vats.

The digital display shows product codes, cook-cycle countdowns, filtration prompts, program selections, oil temperature and error codes. iControl supports programmable cooking and operating features including cook programs, idle and melt modes, load compensation, proportional control, filter tracking, clean-out mode, multiple language settings and USB support. The fryer also tracks cook cycles and prompts the operator when filtration is due.

The manual describes information screens for recent cook-cycle details, daily operating statistics, oil statistics, filter history and error logs. The error log can store up to 10 recorded error codes. The fryer is not intended to be operated by an external timer or separate remote-control system. The manual also warns against spraying aerosols near the appliance while it is operating.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Smart Touch Filtration lets the operator filter vats individually, without stopping cooking in the other vats. At the control prompt, one touch starts the filtering process; the system drains and filters the oil, rinses crumbs away with rinse-wave action and returns filtered oil to the vat. The stated return time of less than four minutes depends on the manufacturer’s listed conditions: ambient temperature at or above 72°F (22°C), drain-pan temperature at or above 160°F (71°C) at the start of filtration, filtration media previously saturated with oil but not overly saturated with impurities, and media changed at the frequency recommended for the operation.

The manual says to disconnect the power supply before thorough cleaning or servicing. It states that the electric motor bearings are permanently lubricated and must not be lubricated. The manufacturer describes the stainless-steel construction and removable heavy-duty basket rest as easy to clean; the basket rest removes for cleaning. The data sheet also lists a clean-out mode in the iControl functions.

Troubleshooting

The control can display error codes, and the information mode provides an error-code log with up to 10 recorded entries. The manual says operators should consult Henny Penny before changing information-mode settings that could affect proper operation. For technical assistance, the manufacturer lists 1-800-417-8405. The available manual information does not identify a specific list of common faults or provide fault-specific repair procedures, so use the model’s technical manual and qualified service support to diagnose an individual error.

Applications

The EEG-243’s three wells and full, split or combination vat options can support kitchens that prepare different fried menu items at the same time. Individual-vat temperature control and filtration allow operators to manage separate cooking and oil-filtering tasks across the wells. Its gas heating, automatic oil top-off and programmable controls are relevant to high-output commercial kitchens seeking to manage batch cooking and oil use.