TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE & FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How do we call for repairs to the machine?
A: Call our service department at 1-888-988-0882 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CST.
Q: What is the shelf life of the mix in dry-powder form?
A: The shelf life of the mix is twelve (12) months from the manufacturer’s date code printed on the Quickcakes bag.
Q: What is the shelf life of the mix after water is added to make the batter?
A: For best quality results the Quickcakes mix should be prepared no more than 30 minutes before loading the bag into machine. The mix should be used within four (8) hours of adding the water to the dry-mix to make the batter. Note: The performance of the batter and each pancake’s rising ability may decrease with time. Contact your local Health Department for food handling rules in your area
Q: What happens if I used water that is too hot or too cold?
A: If the water is too cold, the Quickcakes batter will be thicker and as a result this may lead to pancakes sticking to the belt and tearing apart, the pancake may be larger in diameter than normal and also lighter in color as it may be undercooked. Due to this higher viscosity, in some instances the dispensing time can time-out (batter flowing very slowly due to high viscosity) that may result in the bag unwinding and the display panel showing “Check/Change Bag”. The water must be 72º.
If the water is too hot, the Quickcakes batter may be thinner and more fluid than normal and as a result, the pancake will be smaller and thinner than normal, and may also be darker in color. This can result in the pancake burning, sticking to the belt and tearing apart. The water must be 72º.
Q: Why did the machine make a large Quickcakes, Quickcakes hooked together or long strings of Quickcakes?
- The cap was not installed on the bag or cross threaded.
- Water is too hot when preparing the mix.
- Too much air has filled the bag and needs to be burped from the bag.
Q: Will each Quickcakes be exactly the same size & same color 100% of the time?
A: Because Quickcakes is a fresh product using natural ingredients, there may be slight variability in size and in color from time to time. This is a natural function of the ingredients and the freshly cooked nature of the Quickcake. Too much air in the bag will result in smaller Quickcakes.
Q: Why am I getting a bottom belt error?
A: Either the bottom belt is not inserted between the top and bottom prongs of the white belt sensor (bottom right corner) or the sensor is dirty. If the sensor is dirty, using a cotton swab, dip one end in warm water and gently swab the top and bottom prongs. Use the dry end of the swab to gently dry the top and bottom prongs of the belt sensor. Note: This procedure should be performed on a monthly basis for general maintenance of the machine.
Q: Why am I getting a small fan error? 
A: Pancake mix has spilled into the fan or debris has stopped the fan blade from turning. To correct this error, open the front door and remove the small fan filter (left side). Open the top to the mix compartment, remove the splash guard and find the small fan. Use compressed air (multipurposed canned air duster), and spray into the fan through the metal grid. You should see dry mix pieces blow out of the intake grill. Replace the filter. If this does not correct the problem, call our service department.
Q: Why would the batter not be dispensed from the bag when the ok button has been pressed?
A: The valve in the cap of the bag may be blocked, the tail of the bag may not be properly inserted between the two rods inside the bag chamber or the mix is too thick to dispense.
Q: What should I do when the machine tells me “Bag Unwinding” or “Check/ Change Bag” after I have just loaded a new bag?
A: This should only occur if the bag loaded was NOT a full bag. If it occurs, check the bag, close the lid, then press OK to make pancakes. Once the machine displays “USING FULL BAG?” 1=YES, 2=NO, press 2 for NO, so the process continues. If it is a full bag, the dispensing cap is blocked by dry mix as a result of improper mix preparation or overheating due to dirty fan filters.
Q: How often should the fan filters be cleaned, and what is the best way to clean the fan filters?
A: Both fan filters should be cleaned weekly. The best method for cleaning the filters is to run under a faucet/tap of hot running water. (Make sure the filter is dried thoroughly before replacing in the machine.) Failure to clean the filters will result in the machine overheating and possible “Check/Change Bag” errors.
Q: How often should the belts be replaced and what is the best way to keep the belts clean? Do not change belts until machine prompts, “Change Belts Now.”
A: Belts need to be replaced after every 60 bags of mix. The machine will display “change belts now” when it is time to change the belts. Do not change belts until you see this display on the screen. The Quickcakes belts are made of non-stick Teflon® however debris can build up on the belts over time, and should be cleaned periodically.
This should be done when the machine is switched off and cooled down. Remove the belts completely from the machine and wash with detergent. Rinse completely to remove debris and cleaning agents. Sanitize using an approved sanitizer and air dry. Care should be taken to ensure that no debris gets between the belt and the hotplate. This procedure is detailed in the cleaning and maintenance video available at www.americanquickfoods.com/training.
Q: How often should the splash guard and crumb tray be cleaned and what is the best way to clean them?
A: The splash guard and crumb tray should be cleaned daily. The best way to clean them is to remove both from the machine and place in the top rack of the automatic dishwasher. Or remove from the machine and wash with detergent, rinse completely to remove debris and cleaning agents and sanitize using an approved sanitizer. Air dry.
Q: Why won’t the belt tension lever move to the left?
A: Never force any of the controls. Call service immediately so we can walk you through repairing the machine. The slot in the axle is out of alignment and must be repositioned. Call service at 1-888-988-0882.
Q: What happens if I pull the power cord out from the power socket before turning off the machine by using the power on/off button?
A: If the power cord is removed from the outlet socket the cooling fans will not receive power to continue cooling the Quickcakes machine. If the power cord is unplugged before allowing the “cool-down cycle” to run the machine will overheat and may cause damage in the long term. Avoid unplugging the machine before it powers OFF following the cooling down mode, after pressing POWER On/Off button.
Important things to remember!
- “Always” use 72º water
- “Always” shake the bag of mix hard! The bag will not burst.
- “Always” make sure the cap is clean and is screwed on tightly before loading the bag
- “Do Not” change the belts early. Wait for the machine to prompt “Change Belts Now”