Henny Penny Electric Fryer Error Code E-27: Low Heating Current
E-27 on an electric Henny Penny pressure fryer reports that the heating circuit is drawing less current than expected, so the fryer heats slowly or not enough. Shut it off, let the oil settle to a safe temperature, and check that the fryer's breaker has not tripped. Do not open panels; call us.
Medium: the fryer heats slowly or not enough, and the cause is an electrical part that needs a meter test.
- Code
- E-27
- Maker
- Henny Penny
- Equipment
- Fryers
- Applies to
- Pressure fryers 500/600/561 (iControl-era online help)
What does Henny Penny error code E-27 mean?
When an electric fryer calls for heat, the elements pull a known amount of current. The control measures it, and when the reading comes in below what the circuit should draw, it displays E-27. With less current the fryer heats slowly or not enough, and recovery between loads suffers, which kitchens notice as long waits between batches. Only electric fryers show the code. A low reading usually means part of the circuit is not carrying its share: one leg of the supply may be missing, a contactor may not close fully, wiring to an element may be loose or open, or an element itself may have burned out. Because a single dead element leaves the others working, the fryer can still warm up, which is why the problem can sit unnoticed for a while. Only a meter reading shows which part is responsible. The manual points to the supply and breaker, the contactors, the wiring to the elements and the elements. The display text is E-27.
Affected models and control systems
Electric Henny Penny pressure fryers such as the PFE 500 and PFE 561. Gas fryers do not show E-27.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- E-27 on the display
- Slow heat-up or slow recovery between loads
- Oil never quite reaching set temperature
Possible causes
Listed in Henny Penny's documentation
- Supply and breaker feeding the fryer
- Contactors
- Wiring to the elements
- Heating elements
Other likely causes — what usually sits behind error code E-27 on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- One element leg burned open while the others still heat the oil
- A loose lug at a contactor that adds resistance until the current sags
Safe checks before calling for service
- Shut the fryer off and let the oil settle to a safe temperature.
- Check that the breaker for the fryer has not tripped.
- Do not open panels or touch the wiring.
- Call us, as the owner's manual points to a technician for the supply, contactors, wiring and elements.
- Tell us how long heat-up and recovery have been taking compared with before.
How a technician diagnoses error code E-27
- Read E-27 and note heat-up time against what the fryer normally achieves.
- Measure voltage on each supply leg at the fryer with the elements on.
- Clamp each element leg and compare the current with the rating.
- Check contactor contacts and coil operation.
- Test element resistance with power removed and inspect the wiring and lugs.
- Replace the failed element, contactor or wire section that the readings single out.
- Checking each supply leg and element means live measurements on 208 to 240 V circuits behind the panels.
- Low current may mean one element or leg is out, and only a meter reading tells us which part.
- Elements are under the vat, so replacing one means the oil must be drained and cool.
Technical reference
- Document
- Henny Penny 4 Head Pressure Fryer online help, Error Codes
- Maker documentation
- Henny Penny owner support
- Models / control
- Pressure fryers 500/600/561 (iControl-era online help)
- Section
- Online help page 'Error Codes' - one Display / Cause / Solution table (HTML page, no page numbers); footer 2026 Henny Penny Corporation
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related Henny Penny fryer error codes
Can the fryer still cook with E-27?
It may, but slowly. Recovery between loads suffers, so quality can drop.
Why would current be low?
A dead element, an open wire, a contactor that does not close fully or a missing leg of supply can all cause it.
Is E-27 dangerous?
It is not a safety trip like E-25, but it still needs a test.
Need help with Henny Penny error code E-27?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.