MSA60

Overview

The Vulcan Hart MSA60 is a heavy-duty gas griddle for commercial kitchens that need multiple independently controlled cooking areas on one appliance. The MSA60 is listed with five burners and a total input rating of 135,000 BTU/hr. Its standing pilots are lit manually, and its mechanical snap-action thermostatic valves control the cooking sections.

The model is covered in Vulcan’s heavy-duty gas griddle installation, operation, service, and replacement-parts documentation. The manuals advise reading the installation and operating instructions before use. Installation, initial start-up, and adjustments should be performed by personnel qualified to work on gas equipment.

Key Features

• Five-burner layout: The MSA60 has five burners, with a 27,000 BTU/hr U-shaped burner for each 12 inches of griddle width.
• Independent temperature control: A mechanical snap-action thermostat controls each 12-inch section. The stated operating range is 200°F to 550°F.
• Standing pilot system: MSA models use manually lit pilots monitored by thermocouples and pilot safety valves. A pilot safety valve shuts off gas to the pilot and main burners if the pilot goes out.
• Cooking surface and grease management: The griddle has a 1-inch polished steel plate, a 3½-inch stainless steel grease trough, and a welded grease chute intended to stop grease migration.
• Construction: The body frame is fully welded stainless steel and aluminized steel. The front, sides, and front top ledge are stainless steel.

Specifications

• Model: Vulcan Hart MSA60.
• Equipment type: Heavy-duty gas griddle.
• Number of burners: 5.
• Total input rating: 135,000 BTU/hr.
• Burner type and rating: U-shaped aluminized steel burner, 27,000 BTU/hr per 12 inches of griddle width.
• Cooking plate: 1-inch thick polished steel.
• Back and side splashes: 4-inch stainless steel back and tapered side splashes.
• Front, sides, and front top ledge: Stainless steel.
• Body frame: Fully welded stainless steel and aluminized steel.
• Cooking height and legs: 11-inch low-profile cooking height on 4-inch legs.
• Controls: Mechanical snap-action thermostats with chrome thermostat knob guards.
• Thermostat operating range: 200°F to 550°F.
• Pilot safety: One pilot safety valve for every two burners. Because the MSA60 has an odd number of burners, one pilot-and-safety-valve set controls one main burner.
• Grease collection: 3½-inch-wide stainless steel grease trough and a fully welded grease chute.
• Gas connection: ¾-inch rear gas connection; the installation manual specifies a ¾-inch NPT gas supply line for the griddle inlet.
• Gas regulator: A regulator is supplied and must be installed externally on the gas supply line near the griddle.
• Gas pressure at the griddle: 4 inches water column for natural gas or 10 inches water column for propane, with all burners on.
• Supply pressure upstream of regulator: 7–9 inches water column for natural gas or 11–12 inches water column for propane.
• Maximum supply pressure: The griddle must not be connected to supply pressure greater than ½ psig (3.45 kPa) or 14 inches water column.

Installation & Requirements

Gas connection and regulator

Before installation, check the rating plate on the outside right of the unit to confirm that the available gas type—natural gas or propane—matches the appliance. The manual says not to proceed if the supply and appliance requirements do not agree. The griddle inlet is at the rear, and the installation instructions specify a ¾-inch NPT gas supply line. Gas supply connections and pipe-joint compound must be resistant to propane when propane is used.

The supplied gas pressure regulator must be installed externally, as close to the griddle on the supply line as possible. Orient the arrow on the underside of the regulator in the direction of gas flow toward the griddle, and install it with the vent plug and adjustment screw upright. Set and check outlet pressure with all burners operating: 4 inches water column for natural gas or 10 inches water column for propane. Upstream supply pressure should be 7–9 inches water column for natural gas or 11–12 inches water column for propane. The manual says not to connect the griddle to supply pressure above ½ psig (3.45 kPa) or 14 inches water column.

Codes require a gas shutoff valve upstream of the griddle. Check gas-line joints for leaks with a soap-and-water solution; the manual specifically says not to use an open flame. After leak checks, purge gas lines receiving gas to remove air. If supply pressure exceeds ½ psig (3.45 kPa), the griddle and its individual shutoff valve must be disconnected from the piping system. At ½ psig or less, isolate the griddle by closing its individual manual shutoff valve. A trained gas service technician is recommended for installation and regulator setup.

Positioning and ventilation

Do not obstruct the flue at the rear of the griddle. The manual recommends venting flue gases outdoors through a ventilation system installed by qualified personnel. Maintain at least 18 inches from the flue termination to the filters of the hood venting system. For a griddle mounted on a stand with casters, the manual specifies a compliant flexible connector, a quick-disconnect device, and a restraint attached at the rear of the griddle. If the restraint is disconnected to move the appliance, turn off the gas first, reconnect the restraint before restoring the gas supply, and re-level the griddle after moving it.

In Canada, the installation instructions cite local codes. Follow the applicable installation codes and the appliance instructions for the installation location.

Operation

Lighting the standing pilots

The MSA60 uses standing pilots that must be lit manually with an outside ignition source. To light them, turn the main gas shutoff valve off and wait five minutes so any gas that may have accumulated in the burner compartment can escape. Turn the valve on. Depress and hold the corresponding pilot safety-valve button while lighting the pilot with an outside ignition source, viewing the pilot through the sight hole. When the pilot has been burning for about 45 seconds, release the button. If it does not remain lit, repeat the procedure and hold the button longer before releasing it. The manual notes that more time may be needed when lighting the appliance for the first time or after the main gas supply has been off for an extended period. It may also be necessary to adjust pilot gas flow. Repeat for each pilot. If a pilot will not light after these steps, turn off the main gas shutoff valve and contact a service contractor.

Cooking and shutdown

Once the pilots are lit, turn the thermostat knobs to the required settings to operate the corresponding cooking sections. Each 12-inch section is controlled independently, within the thermostat’s stated 200°F to 550°F operating range. To stop the burners during normal shutdown, turn the thermostats to OFF; the pilots remain lit and monitored by the safety valves while the main gas supply is on. For an extended shutdown, turn the griddle shutoff valve and/or main gas supply valve off. The manual also directs operators to coat the griddle plate with vegetable oil during extended shutdown to inhibit rust.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The griddle and its parts become hot, so use care when operating, cleaning, or servicing the appliance. The operation manual recommends cleaning the cooking surface after each use according to the instructions for its surface finish. Empty the grease drawer during the day as needed. Once a day, when cleaning the exterior, clean the backsplash, sides, and front. Do not strike the backsplash with a spatula or other tool, as this may create a gap between the splash and plate that is difficult to clean. Remove, empty, and wash the grease drawer like an ordinary cooking utensil.

At least once a week, clean the cooking surface thoroughly according to the instructions for its finish, then season the plate as directed in the manual. Clean stainless-steel surfaces with a damp cloth and polish with a soft, dry cloth. The manual identifies griddle cleaner as an option for removing discoloration. For heavy use, it says the weekly surface-cleaning procedure may be needed more than once a week. When the griddle is cool, check the flue daily and clear obstructions.

Valves should be checked and lubricated periodically; the manual advises contacting a service agency for details. Gas joints disturbed during service must be checked for leaks with soap and water, never an open flame. Use the model and serial number and gas type from the rating plate when seeking service or parts information.

Troubleshooting

The manuals list the following possible causes for common MSA-family symptoms. Gas-system diagnosis and repairs should be handled by a qualified service person.

• Heat does not come on when a thermostat is turned on: The pilot may not be lit, the griddle shutoff valve may not be ON, gas pressure may be low, or the thermostat may have a problem.
• Pilot will not light: The griddle shutoff valve may not be ON; the pilot orifice may be obstructed; pilot gas may be turned off at the pilot; the pilot safety valve may have a problem; or gas pressure may be low.
• Pilot will not stay lit: The gas line may not have been purged of air, airflow may be blowing out the pilot, the thermocouple may not be in the flame, or there may be a problem with the pilot safety valve, pilot orifice, or gas pressure.
• Burners light but do not stay lit: Check for incorrect or fluctuating gas pressure, an obstructed flue, an obstructed or misaligned gas orifice, or a burner problem.
• One or more burners have a lower flame than others: Possible causes include gas pressure, external airflow or vent-hood effects, an obstructed or misaligned orifice, or burner air-shutter adjustment.
• Delayed burner ignition: The manual lists gas pressure, burner seating, alignment of burner ignition ports, pilot flash tube and pilot burner, an obstructed or misaligned orifice, burner shutter adjustment, or pilot flame adjustment as possible causes.
• Excessively high or low heat: Possible causes include a gas shutoff valve that is not fully open, thermostat calibration or malfunction, incorrect gas pressure, a missing or malfunctioning regulator, incorrect gas type, or an obstructed or incorrect gas orifice.

The manual gives a calibration target of 350°F ±15°F when checking the griddle temperature. It warns never to adjust the screw in the center of the thermostat shaft: doing so ruins the factory calibration and requires thermostat replacement. Infrared thermometers are not recommended because readings are sensitive to surface color, reading angle, and distance.

Applications

The MSA60’s separate thermostatic cooking sections can support commercial line cooking where operators need to manage different foods or batches across a broad griddle surface. The manual’s cleaning and seasoning instructions help operators maintain the plate for recurring foodservice use. Match the fuel type and installation requirements to the kitchen’s gas supply and ventilation setup before putting the griddle into service.