Market Forge Altair II - 8 User Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

ALTAIR II STEAMER

MODELS:

 INSTALLATION

 OPERATION

 MAINTENANCE

 STEAM COOKING GUIDELINES

 PARTS LISTS

 PARTS & SERVICE

 ALTAIR II - 4  ALTAIR II - 8
 ALTAIR II - 6  ALTAIR II - 10

 ALTAIR II - 12

35 Garvey Street, Everett, MA 02149:
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

[e-mail], www.mfii.com 12/13/2011 REV. 1

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION

1.0 IMPORTANT NOTES FOR SAFETY, INSTALLATION AND OPERATION
4

2.0 INTRODUCTION 5

1) Product Description: 5

2) Safety Features: 5

3) Dimensions: 6

4) Service Contacts: 6

3.0 SERVICE CONNECTIONS 7

4.0 INSTALLATION 9

5.0 STARTUP PROCEDURE 10

6.0 OPERATION11

7.0 CLEANING GUIDELINES 12

A. Daily Cleaning 12
B. Monthly Cleaning 13

8.0 STEAM COOKING GUIDELINES15

A. Cooking with atmospheric / pressureless steam: 15
B. Recommended Uses: 15
C. Typical Foods: 15
D. Tips on cooking frozen product 15
E. Blanching: 15
F. Tips on pan use 15
G. Other helpful hints 16

9.0 WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS 16

A. Warnings 16
B. Cautions 17

10.0 WIRING DIAGRAM 18

A. 208/240 Volts 18

Figure 1 18

B. 480 Volts 19

Figure 2 19

11.0 ILLUSTRATED PARTS LIST 20

A. Cabinet Assembly 20

Figure 3 20
Figure 4 20
Figure 5 21

B. Door Assembly 22

Figure 6 22
Figure 7 22

C. General Assembly 23

Figure 8 23
Figure 9 24
Figure 10 24
Figure 11 24

2

Figure 12 24

D. Control Panel Components 26

Figure 13 26
Figure 14 27

E. Convection Fan and Motor Components 28

Figure 15 28
Figure 16 28

3

1.0 IMPORTANT NOTES FOR SAFETY, INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

WARNING: This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential

!

!

personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to
avoid possible injury or death.

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.

!

!

!

This equipment is to be installed with backflow protection to comply with applicable Federal, State

WARNING: Never spray water into electrical components.

WARNING: Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable vapors or liquids

in the vicinity of this or any other appliance.

WARNING: Please make certain that every operator of this piece of
equipment has been instructed on its proper and safe use, and has read and
understands all warnings, cautions, and notes in this manual.

and local codes.

This manual should be retained for future reference.

Intended for commercial use only. Not for household use.

It is recommended that this manual be read thoroughly and that all instructions be
followed carefully.

4

2.0 INTRODUCTION

1) Product Description:

Congratulations on purchasing the Market Forge Altair II. The Altair II is a single compartment
countertop or two-compartment floor model steamer featuring pressureless steam cooking, a
circulating fan inside the cooking chamber to speed cooking and an automatic preheated waterfill
mechanism. Altair II also features a clean water reservoir system. The cooking chamber of the
Altair II is treated with a scratch resistant, non-stick surface. A drain from the rear of the steamer
is provided for easy safe draining.

CAUTION: Do not use utensils, steel wool, or other harsh abrasives to clean your steamer.
Scratching of the non-stick surface and stainless steel casing may occur.

2) Safety Features:

As with any cooking process, or with any piece of commercial cooking equipment, there are
potential hazards to both the operator and the piece of equipment if care is not taken. In
designing the Altair II steamer, safety features have been built in to protect against many of these
potential hazards, but TRAINING OF EACH OPERATOR AND CAREFUL ADHERENCE TO ALL
WARNINGS ARE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF USERS.

1) Diagnostic sensor shut-off: The thermostat controller has a built in diagnostic

feature that will automatically shut down all heaters if the sensor probe fails, which
will avoid overheating.

2) High Limit shutoff: If the steamer runs dry the heaters will shut down.

3) Overflow: An overflow standpipe incorporated into the reservoir drain allows water to

flow out the back drain of the steamer in case of a waterfill malfunction.
WARNING: Failure to keep the overflow outlets clear and unobstructed may result in
hot water flowing out the door of the steamer. A blocked overflow and drain could allow

!

water to flow to the countertop or floor, which can cause slippery conditions. Modifying
the steamer to operate without the overflow standpipe could cause dangerous
situations and will void the warranty.

4) High water sensor: Two water level sensors are located on the lower backside of

the steamer. The lower sensor activates the waterfill mechanism. The upper sensor

will shut off water flow if an overflow situation occurs. It is important that both sensors

are kept clean so that the stainless part is shiny.

!

WARNING: Failure to keep both water level sensors clean may result in hot water

flowing out the overflow or the front door of the steamer.

5) Door open safety switch: There is a safety switch built into the door frame that

shuts down heaters, fan and lights when the door is opened. Once the door is closed,

all functions return. THE DOOR MUST BE FIRMLY CLOSED IN ORDER FOR THE

STEAMER TO FUNCTION. IF STEAM IS ESCAPING, DOOR IS NOT PROPERLY

SHUT AND MAY AFFECT COOK TIMES, PRODUCT QUALITY AND WATER

CONSUMPTION.

6) Time delay relay: The steamer has two timers built into the electrical system to shut

down should the water level system fail. When the steamer is first turned on and the

reservoir is empty two countdown timers will begin to count. If it takes longer than 35

seconds for the level of the water to come into contact with the lower water sensor

probe, the heaters and the heating light will turn off. After the water comes in contact

with the lower probe the heat and heating light will come back on.

5

3) Dimensions:

 4-pan: External dimensions are 24” wide x 26¼” high (plus 4”-6” adjustable legs) x 28 ¾“

deep (plus vent pipe).

 6-pan: External dimensions are 24” wide x 33¼” high (plus 4”-6” adjustable legs) x 28 ¾”

deep (plus vent pipe).

 8-pan: External dimensions are 24” wide x 52½” high (plus 6”-9” adjustable legs) x 28 ¾”

deep (plus vent pipe).

 10-pan: External dimensions are 24” wide x 59½” high (plus 6”-9” adjustable legs) x 28

¾” deep (plus vent pipe).

 12-pan: External dimensions are 24” wide x 66½” high (plus 6”-9” adjustable legs) x 28

¾” deep (plus vent pipe).

4) Service Contacts:

Should repairs be required, a network of authorized agencies is available to assist with prompt
service.
A current Directory of Authorized Service Agencies may be obtained by contacting:

Market Forge Industries, Inc.

35 Garvey Street

Everett, Massachusetts 02149-4403

Telephone: [phone]

Toll Free: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Outside MA Fax: [phone]

Parts / Price / Service Telephone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Web Site: www.mfii.com

6

3.0 SERVICE CONNECTIONS

Models: Altair II – 4 & Altair II – 6

7

SERVICE CONNECTIONS (continued)

Models: Altair II – 8, Altair II – 10 & Altair II – 12

8

4.0 INSTALLATION

1) Damage Inspection: Reporting shipping damage is the responsibility of the purchaser.

Do not discard packaging if filing a freight damage claim. Upon receipt of steamer
immediately inspect the exterior of packaging for damage. Remove wrapping. Inspect the
exterior of the Altair II for visible shipping damage.

2) Unpacking / removal from pallet: To remove the steamer from the pallet, carefully cut
the strapping.

3) Legs / caster installation: Install 4 legs or casters (shipped inside the steamer) into the
threaded mounting holes located on the base of the unit. If casters are supplied, locking
casters should be on the front of the steamer.

4) Vent pipe installation (double & single compartment steamers): Steamers come with
the vent piping in rear of unit completely assembled. Two 90° elbows are shipped loose
for your convenience that may be useful in running a drain line to your floor trough (if
applicable). DO NOT BLOCK VENT PIPE.

5) Make sure the pan racks, water reservoir cover and standpipe installed inside the
steamer have not become dislodged during shipping.

6) Physical location of steamer: 98% of all maintenance and service can be done from
the front or left side. Some local codes may require installation under ventilation, but
ventilation is not required in most cases. A minimum of 4” clearance from adjacent
equipment on the left side and rear is recommended.

NOTE: A qualified electrician must perform all electrical hookups and meet all local codes.
Installation is the responsibility of the purchaser.

7) Electrical hookups: The access hole to electrically wire your steamer is located in the
bottom right corner (facing the back of the steamer) on the rear panel. Your electrician
may install a cord set to make the steamer more portable or the unit may be hard-wired.
Please follow local codes when installing the cord set.

NOTE: Stacked units will require 2 separate electrical connections.

8) Electrical Diagrams: The electrical diagrams are located on the inside of the left side

access panel.

9) Water hookup: Steamer requires ½” water line. Termination is ¾” male garden hose
connection. Make sure waterline is flushed to remove grit and soldering particles prior to
connecting steamer. Dirty water lines may affect solenoid operation.

Double (stacked) compartment steamers require separate water connections, which
may be manifolded. Inadequate water supply may cause one steamer not to fill properly
when both steamers are turned on at the same time. If that happens turn on one steamer
a few minutes after the first.

Do not connect to de-ionized water. Probes will not sense the level of the water.
Recommended water pressure is 30 – 35 lbs.

CAUTION: Flush incoming water line prior to connecting to steamer. Debris in water lines may

cause solenoid valve to malfunction. If solenoid valve is stuck open water must be turned off at
the source.

10) Recommended water quality: This steamer does not require water filtration in line with
the steamer’s water line. However, it is important to properly drain and clean your water
reservoir at least daily (see 6.0 Cleaning Guidelines in this manual).

NOTE: Water level probes will not sense water level if steamer is connected to a de-ionized water
or reverse osmosis system.

9