Description
A Southbend 70-90 lb gas floor fryer with millivolt controls, built to run on gas alone.
The Southbend SB18 is a 70-90 lb gas floor fryer for restaurants, bars and takeout kitchens frying fries, wings and breaded items. Southbend's Solstice atmospheric burner system puts 140,000 BTU into a welded stainless tank with a 18" x 18" frying area, without a blower or ceramics. A millivolt thermostat holds 200°F to 400°F and a thermo-safety pilot and high-limit switch shut off gas if something goes wrong, so it runs with no electrical connection.
Will it fit · Will it hook up
- Outside size
- 19.6" W × 34.4" D × 46.1" H to the flue deflector; 34" working height
- Shipping
- 275 lbs, crate 45" H × 23" W × 38" L
- Gas
- 3/4" NPT at the rear; supply 7" W.C. natural gas or 12" W.C. propane (±2"), never above 13.5" W.C.
- Heat input
- 140,000 BTU
- Power
- None; millivolt controls
- Clearances
- 6" back and sides from combustible construction, 0" from noncombustible, 9" under the fryer for combustion air; install under a vented hood
Dimensions are from Southbend's SB14-18 spec sheet (Form SB14-18 Rev 3, April 2026); clearances and gas pressures from the owner's manual. Measure the hood line-up before ordering.
Solstice burners
An atmospheric burner and baffle design with no blower or ceramics, built to raise production and lower flue temperature.
No electricity
Millivolt thermostat, thermo-safety pilot and a high-limit switch; the fryer needs only a gas line.
Easy to clean
A welded stainless tank with an extra-smooth peened finish, a tube rack that drops crumbs into the cool zone and a 1-1/4" full-port front drain.
Ready to fry
Ships with two twin fry baskets, a removable basket hanger, a drain extension, a clean-out rod and a fryer cleaner sample.
Made in the USA
Built by Southbend in Fuquay-Varina, NC, CSA design certified and NSF, with a 1-year parts and labor warranty.
Delivery and setup
- Ships by freight carrier. See our shipping policy for delivery details, and call us for the current lead time.
- Tell us natural gas or propane when you order.
- Inspect the shipment before signing for it and note any damage on the bill. Report concealed damage to the carrier within 15 days.
- Fill the tank with oil before lighting the pilot, and boil out the tank weekly as the manual describes.
- Have a licensed gas installer connect it under a vented hood.
Questions buyers ask
Does it need electricity?
No. It uses a millivolt thermostat and a thermo-safety pilot, so it runs on gas alone.
How much oil does it hold?
70-90 lbs, with a 18" x 18" frying area and 3.25" to 5" of cooking depth.
What gas hookup does it need?
3/4" NPT at the rear. Southbend's manual calls for 7" W.C. natural gas or 12" W.C. propane (±2") and warns never to exceed 13.5" W.C.; a flexible hose must be at least 3/4" inside and meet ANSI Z21.69.
How close can it go to a wall?
6" at the back and sides from combustible construction, 0" from noncombustible, and 9" of floor clearance for combustion air. Install it under a vented hood.
Can I filter the oil?
The fryer has a 1-1/4" full-port front drain for draining into a portable filter or container. Southbend sells portable filter units separately.
Can I melt solid shortening in it?
Never melt blocks of shortening on top of the burner tubes. Southbend warns that this causes a fire and voids the warranty.
What does the warranty cover?
Southbend covers defects in parts and labor for 1 year from purchase, up to 18 months from the factory sale, serviced by a Southbend Authorized Service Agency. Spark igniters and similar wear parts are limited to 90 days, and damage from improper installation or misuse is not covered.
Specs
| Manufacturer | Southbend |
|---|---|
| Model Number | SB18 |
| Series | SB Mid-Tier Gas Fryer |
| Quantity | 1 Each |
| Shipping Weight | 275 lbs |
| Crate Size | 45" H x 23" W x 38" L |
| Width | 19.6 Inches |
| Depth | 34.4 Inches |
| Height | 46.1 Inches (Top of Flue Deflector) |
| Working Height | 34 Inches |
| Legs | 9" Adjustable Legs9" Casters Optional |
| Oil Capacity | 70-90 lbs |
| Cooking Area | 18" x 18" |
| Cooking Depth | 3.25 - 5 Inches |
| Burners | Solstice Atmospheric Burner System (No Blower or Ceramics)Integrated Flue Deflector |
| Total BTU | 140,000 BTU/H |
| Controls | Millivolt ThermostatSeparate Manual Gas Shutoffs for Front Servicing |
| Temperature Range | 200 - 400 Degrees F |
| Safety | Thermo-Safety Pilot with Built-In RegulatorGas Valve Shuts Off If the Pilot Goes OutHigh-Temperature Limit Switch |
| Electrical | None Required |
| Gas Type | Natural Gas or Propane (Specify When Ordering) |
| Gas Connection | 3/4" NPT at Rear |
| Supply Pressure | 7.0 ± 2.0" W.C. Natural Gas12.0 ± 2.0" W.C. PropaneDo Not Exceed 13.5" W.C. (Owner's Manual) |
| Drain | 1-1/4" Full-Port Front Drain ValveDrain ExtensionDrain Line Clean-Out Rod |
| Tank | Welded Stainless Steel, Extra-Smooth Peened FinishTube Rack Lets Crumbs Fall to the Cool Zone |
| Baskets | Two Twin Plated Wire Mesh Baskets with Plastic-Coated HandlesRemovable Basket Hanger (No Tools) |
| Exterior | Stainless Steel Cabinet Door, Sides, Front and Rear PanelsHeavy-Duty 3/16" Bottom Door Hinge |
| Clearances | 6" Back and Sides from Combustible Construction0" from Noncombustible9" Floor Clearance for Combustion Air (Owner's Manual) |
| Ventilation | Install Under a Vented Hood |
| Included | Fryer Cleaner Sample Packet |
| Options | 9" CastersPortable Filter Units Available |
| Certifications | CSA Design CertifiedNSFMade in USA |
| Warranty | 1 Year Parts and Labor (Southbend Limited Warranty) |
| Usage | Commercial Use Only |
Certifications
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.