Vulcan Hart VCRG36-T Operator’s Manual

INSTALLATION & OPERATION MANUAL

Medium Duty Gas Griddles

MODELS

VCRG24-T

VCRG36-T

VCRG48-T

MODELS

WCRG24-T

WCRG36-T

WCRG48-T

ITW Food Equipment Group, LLC
3600 North Point Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21222

VCRG48-T

RETAIN THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE USE

FORM F-38305 (rev. 4-10)

IMPORTANT FOR YOUR SAFETY

THIS MANUAL HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR PERSONNEL QUALIFIED TO
INSTALL GAS EQUIPMENT, WHO SHOULD PERFORM THE INITIAL FIELD
START-UP AND ADJUSTMENTS OF THE EQUIPMENT COVERED BY THIS
MANUAL.

POST IN A PROMINENT LOCATION THE INSTRUCTIONS TO BE FOLLOWED IN
THE EVENT THE SMELL OF GAS IS DETECTED. THIS INFORMATION CAN BE
OBTAINED FROM THE LOCAL GAS SUPPLIER.

IMPORTANT

IN THE EVENT A GAS ODOR IS DETECTED, SHUT
DOWN UNITS AT MAIN SHUTOFF VALVE AND
CONTACT THE LOCAL GAS COMPANY OR GAS
SUPPLIER FOR SERVICE.

FOR YOUR SAFETY

DO NOT STORE OR USE GASOLINE OR OTHER
FLAMMABLE VAPORS OR LIQUIDS IN THE VICINITY OF
THIS OR ANY OTHER APPLIANCE.

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.

IN THE EVENT OF A POWER FAILURE, DO NOT
ATTEMPT TO OPERATE THIS DEVICE.

Improper installation,

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INSTALLATION, OPERATION AND CARE OF

MEDIUM DUTY GAS GRIDDLES

GENERAL

Medium Duty Gas Griddles are produced with quality workmanship and materials. Proper
installation, usage and maintenance of your griddle will result in many years of
satisfactory performance.

Thoroughly read this entire manual and carefully follow all of the instructions provided.

Model Number Of Burners BTU/hr Input Rating

VCRG24-T / WCRG24-T 2 50,000

VCRG36-T / WCRG36-T 3 75,000

VCRG48-T / WCRG48-T 4 100,000

INSTALLATION

UNPACKING

This griddle was inspected before leaving the factory. The transportation company
assumes full responsibility for safe delivery upon acceptance of shipment. Check for
possible shipping damage immediately after unpacking. If the griddle is found to be
damaged, save the packaging material and contact the carrier within 15 days of delivery.

Carefully unpack your griddle and make sure that no parts are discarded with packaging
material. A pressure regulator designed to operate with the griddle has been supplied and
must be installed before the griddle is placed into service (Refer to GAS PRESSURE
REGULATOR INSTALLATION in this manual).

LOCATION

The installation location must be kept free and clear of combustibles. When installing,
never enclose the bottom of the griddle with a raised curb or other constructions that
would obstruct flow of air into or out of the griddle. Adequate clearance for air openings
into the combustion chamber must be provided. Make sure there is an adequate supply of
air in the room to replace air taken out by the ventilation system.

Do not permit air to blow directly at the griddle. Avoid open windows next to the griddle
wherever possible. Avoid wall-type fans which create air cross-currents within the room.

This griddle is Design Certified for installation on a non-combustible counter with 4” legs,
or combustible floor with 24” high stand.

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INSTALLATION CLEARANCES

COMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION NON-COMBUSTIBLE CONSTRUCTION

Back: 6” 0”

Sides: 6” 0”

INSTALLATION CODES AND STANDARDS

The griddle must be installed in accordance with:

In the United States of America:

1. State and local codes.

2. National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI-Z223.1/NFPA #54 (latest edition). This shall include but
not be limited to: NFPA #54 Section 10.3.5.2 for Venting. Copies may be obtained
from The American Gas Association Accredited Standards Committee Z223, @ 400
N. Capital St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 or the Secretary Standards Council, NFPA,
1 Batterymarch Park Quincy, MA 02169-7471

NOTE: In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
All gas appliances vented through a ventilation hood or exhaust system equipped with

a damper or with a power means of exhaust shall comply with 248 CMR.

3. NFPA Standard # 96 Vapor Removal from Cooking Equipment, latest edition, available
from the National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.

In Canada:

1. Local codes.

2. CAN/CSA-B149.1 Natural Gas Installation (latest edition)

3. CAN/CSA-B149.2 Propane Installation Code (latest edition), available from the
Canadian Gas Association, 178 Rexdale Blvd., Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada M9W 1R3

GRIDDLES MOUNTED ON STANDS WITH CASTERS

Griddles mounted on stands with casters must use a
flexible connector (not supplied) that complies with the
Standard for Connectors for Movable Gas Appliances
ANSI Z21.69•CSA6.16, and a quick-disconnect device
that complies with Gas Fuel, ANSI Z21.3•CSA6.9. In
addition, adequate means must be provided to limit
movement of the appliance without depending on the
connector and the quick-disconnect device (or its
associated piping) to limit appliance movement. Attach
the restraining device at the rear of the griddle as
shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

If disconnection of the restraint is necessary, turn off the gas supply before
disconnecting. Reconnect the restraint prior to turning the gas supply on and returning
the griddle to its installation position.

Casters are only supplied on a griddle stand. If the griddle is moved for any reason the
griddle should be re-leveled (see LEVELING in this manual).

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FLUE CONNECTIONS

Do not obstruct the flow of flue gases from the flue, located at the rear of the griddle. It is
recommended that flue gases be ventilated to the outside of the building through a
ventilation system installed by qualified personnel.

From the termination of the flue to the filters of the hood venting system, a minimum
clearance of 18” must be maintained.

Information on the construction and installation of ventilating hoods may be obtained from
the standard for “Vapor Removal from Cooking Equipment”, NFPA No. 96 (latest edition),
available from the National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA

02269.

GAS CONNECTIONS

Gas supply connections and any pipe joint compound must be resistant to the

action of propane gases.

Use a ¾” NPT gas supply line for the griddle inlet, located at the rear of the griddle. All of
flexible and semi-rigid gas supply lines must comply with the applicable ANSI standard.
To ensure maximum operating efficiency, this appliance must be connected with a gas
supply line of solid pipe or a commercial type Flexible Connector with the net inside
diameter (I.D.) as large as or larger than the gas pipe inlet on this appliance. Codes
require that a gas shutoff valve must be installed in the gas line upstream of the griddle.

Prior to lighting, check all joints in the gas supply line for leaks.

Use soap and water solution. Do not use an open flame.

After checking for leaks all lines receiving gas should be fully purged to remove air.

TESTING THE GAS SUPPLY SYSTEM

When the gas supply pressure exceeds ½ psig (3.45 kPa), the griddle and its individual
shutoff valve must be disconnected from the gas supply piping system.

When the gas supply pressure is ½ psig (3.45 kPa) or less, the griddle should be isolated
from the gas supply system by closing its individual manual shutoff valve.

GAS PRESSURE REGULATOR INSTALLATION

This griddle is supplied with a convertible gas pressure regulator preset at 4” Water
Column (W.C.) for natural gas. No further adjustment should be required. Install the
regulator as close to the griddle on the gas supply line as possible. Make sure that the
arrow on the underside of the regulator is oriented in the direction of gas flow to the
griddle (Fig. 2 on next page) and the regulator is positioned with the vent plug and
conversion plug cover upright (Fig. 3 on next page).

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Fig. 2

Fig. 3

The supply pressure (upstream of the regulator) should be 7-9” W.C. for natural gas and
11-12” W.C. for propane gas. At no time should the griddle be connected to supply
pressure greater than ½ psig (3.45 kPa) or 14” W.C.

PROPANE GAS CONVERSION

This griddle is shipped from the factory equipped with fixed burner and pilot orifices for
natural gas operation. The burner and pilot orifices required to convert the griddle to
propane gas are shipped with the griddle in the shipping packaging. It is recommended
that a trained gas service technician with the necessary tools, instruments and skills
perform the conversion.

To convert to propane, following steps
must be completed:

1. Remove all natural gas burner
orifices and install the provided
propane burner orifices. See Fig. 4

2. Remove all pilot orifices and install

PILOT
ORIFICE

the provided propane pilot orifices.
See Fig 4.

3. Set the regulator to 10” W.C. by
inverting the regulator spring plug.
See Fig 5.

Fig. 5

Prior to lighting, check all joints in the gas supply line for leaks.

Use soap and water solution. Do not use an open flame.

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Fig. 4

BURNER
ORIFICE

OPERATION

The griddle and its parts are hot. Use care when operating, cleaning

or servicing the griddle.

BEFORE FIRST USE

Remove all packing material and protective plastic from surfaces of the unit. Before
leaving the factory, the griddle plate is coated with protective coating as a rust inhibitor.
Remove this film when the griddle plate is being cleaned prior to its first cooking use.
Heat the griddle to 200-300°F to loosen and melt the coating, then clean the surface with
a non-corrosive, grease dissolving commercial cleaner, following the manufacturer’s
directions. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry with a soft clean cloth. Clean all accessories.

SEASONING THE GRIDDLE

Season the griddle to avoid possible surface corrosion before first use, and after every
cleaning. Heat griddle to a low temperature (300-350°F) and apply a small amount of
cooking oil – about one ounce per square foot of surface. Use a soft lint-free cloth to
spread the oil over the entire griddle surface to create a thin film. Wipe off any excess oil
with a cloth. Repeat the procedure until the griddle has a slick, mirror-like finish. This will
also help reduce the sticking of cooked food product.

CONTROLS

This model features a standing pilot that must be manually lit. The pilot is monitored by a
thermocouple and pilot safety valve. If the pilot goes out, the safety valve will shut-off
the gas supply to the pilot and main burners. There is one pilot and one safety valve for
every two burners except on the 36” model. The 36” model has an odd number of main
burners, therefore one of the sets of pilots and safety valves in these models will control
only one main burner. The safety valve push buttons are aligned with pilot burners and
the pilot sight holes are off centered ¾” to the right. The pilot burners are inset
approximately 7” from the front panel. See cutaway view on page 8.

Each 12” section of the griddle is independently controlled by a mechanical snap-action
thermostatic valve. The thermostats have an operating range of 200 to 450 degrees.
Once pilots are lit, turning the thermostats to the desired setting is all that is required to
put the unit into service.

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VCRG-T / WCRG-T PILOT LIGHTING PROCEDURE

1. Turn the main gas shut-off valve and all thermostats to the OFF position. Wait 5 minutes to allow
any gas that may have accumulated in the burner compartment to escape.

2. Turn the main gas shut-off valve ON.

3. Depress and hold the safety valve button while lighting the corresponding pilot. You will have to
reach under the front of the unit to light with an outside ignition source(such as a lit taper, etc.) while
viewing thru the pilot sight hole.

4. When the gas at the pilot has been burning for about 45 seconds, release the safety valve button.

If the pilot does not remain lit, repeat the operation allowing more time before releasing the button.
The amount of time necessary to hold the safety valve button will increase at the initial installation of
the unit and if the main gas supply has been turned off for a long period of time. It may be
necessary to adjust the pilot valve to increase gas to the pilot. See Fig. 6 on page 12.

5. Repeat steps until all pilots are lit.

6. If after completing steps 1-5 pilot does not light, turn off the main gas shut-off valve and contact an
authorized service agency.

PILOT SIGHT HOLE

THERMOSTAT KNOB

PILOT BURNER

SAFETY VALVE BUTTON

7”

CUTAWAY VIEW

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USING THE GRIDDLE

To preheat, turn the burners on about 20-25 minutes before cooking.

A uniform and systematic approach to loading the griddle will produce the most consistent
product results.

The griddle plate is steel, but the surface can be scored or dented by careless use of a
spatula or scraper. Be careful not to dent, scratch, or gouge the plate surface. Do not try
to knock off loose food that may be on the spatula by tapping the corner or the edge of
the spatula on the griddle surface.

ZONE COOKING

This griddle features a tubular U-shaped burner in each 12” section, each controlled by
independent thermostats. Each 12” section is a separate cooking zone, and allows
cooking a wide variety of products over a single griddle plate. The chart below is a
suggested usage of zone cooking.

When zone cooking, it is suggested that you start with your lowest temperature setting at
either side of the griddle, increasing the zone temperature as you move up the zone line.
These zone cooking guidelines will vary depending on product temperatures, size and
shape. This guide should be adjusted to suit your product and operational cooking
preference.

ZONE 1

(300°F)

PRODUCT

Sausage
Eggs (Hard Fried)
Eggs (Scrambled)
Burger (Well Done)
Steak (Well Done)
Chicken Breast
Frozen Foods
Pork Chops

ZONE 2

(350°F)

ZONE 3

(350°F)

PRODUCT PRODUCT

Pancakes
French Toast
Bacon
Eggs (Sunny Side Up)
Boiled Ham
Steak (Medium Well)
Fresh Burger (Medium Well)
Small Frozen Burger (Medium Well)

Omelet
Hash Browns
Canadian Bacon

ZONE 4

(400°F)

Steak (Rare)
Stir Fry Vegetables
Salmon
Fish Cakes
Lobster
Scampi

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