Pitco Solstice LPG Fryers Reviewed: SG14S, SG18S and Twin-Tank SG14TS

Last updated: November 2026

In 30 seconds:

• We sell three Pitco Solstice LPG floor fryers: the SG14S single tank (from £2,549), the bigger SG18S single tank (from £3,329) and the SG14TS twin tank (from £3,685).
• The SG14S is the all-rounder. One 35.6 x 35.6cm frying area, two baskets and a 110,000 BTU/hr burner rating.
• The SG18S is for volume. Its 45.7 x 45.7cm frying area is the largest of the three.
• The SG14TS keeps two oils apart. Two separate tanks, each with its own burner and thermostat.

A Pitco floor fryer costs more than three times as much as an entry-level one. So the fair question is what the extra money actually buys you.

The Pitco Solstice range is widely regarded as a benchmark for high-production gas tube fryers in busy takeaways, event kitchens and large catering units. This review compares the three LPG models we sell, from £2,549 to £3,685, on frying area, burner rating, tank layout and what each one needs before you can switch it on.

Pitco Solstice LPG fryers at a glance

Frying areas, cook depth and burner ratings come from Pitco’s Solstice spec sheet. Prices and warranties come from our product listings.

Note on oil capacity and the SG18S rating: Pitco’s sheet and our listings give different oil figures for all three fryers, and two different burner ratings for the SG18S. We have left those figures out rather than guess. Ask us and we will confirm them before you order.

What makes a Solstice different

All three are tube fryers. The burners fire through tubes that run through the oil, and the space under the tubes is a cool zone.

Blower-free burners. Pitco’s sheet describes the Solstice burner as having no blower or ceramics. Fewer moving parts means less to go wrong in a hot, greasy kitchen.

A cool zone that catches crumbs. The tube rack lets crumbs and debris drop into the cool zone. They sit there instead of burning in the frying oil, which helps the oil last.

Built for cleaning. Each fryer has a 3.2cm full port drain valve for fast draining. It stands on 22.9cm adjustable legs, so you can get under it to clean.

Stainless steel throughout. The tank is stainless steel, and so are the front, door and sides.

Pitco SG14S: the all-rounder

Quick specs

• Tank: one tank, two baskets supplied
• Frying area: 35.6 x 35.6cm
• Burner rating: 110,000 BTU/hr
• Listed output: up to 40kg of fries an hour (our listing)
• Thermostat: millivolt
• Price: from £2,549
• View the Pitco SG14S Solstice LPG fryer

Best for

A takeaway, pub kitchen or large catering unit where chips are the main fried item. Our listing names the SG14S as the Solstice model most often chosen for mobile catering units.

Honest note

The SG14S is listed in both LPG and natural gas versions. Make sure you order the LPG version for a propane supply.

Pitco SG18S: the high-volume single tank

Quick specs

• Tank: one large tank, two baskets supplied
• Frying area: 45.7 x 45.7cm, the biggest of the three
• Burner rating: the highest of the three (ask us for the confirmed figure)
• Thermostat: millivolt, with a thermo-safety pilot and high-temperature limit switch
• Warranty: 1 year parts and labour, 10 year tank
• Price: from £3,329

Best for

Fish and chip shops and event kitchens that fry large batches of one product. The bigger frying area lets you fry more at once.

Honest note

More oil and a bigger burner mean higher running costs. If your peaks are short, the SG14S may cope at a lower price.

Pitco SG14TS: two tanks, two oils

Quick specs

• Tanks: two separate tanks, two baskets supplied
• Frying area: 17.7 x 35.6cm per tank
• Burner rating: 50,000 BTU/hr per tank, which our listing puts at about 14.6kW per tank
• Controls: a millivolt thermostat for each tank
• Warranty: 1 year parts and labour, 10 year tank
• Price: from £3,685
• View the Pitco SG14TS twin tank LPG fryer

Best for

Menus with two fried foods that should not share oil. Fish in one tank, chips in the other, with no flavour cross-over.

Honest note

Each tank is half the width of the SG14S pan. On quiet days you can run one tank on its own and save gas.

Who a Pitco Solstice suits

• Takeaways and chip shops frying for long, busy services
• Event and festival kitchens with a queue that never stops
• Large catering units with floor space, a flue path and a fixed gas supply
• Buyers who want a long tank warranty and stainless steel throughout

If you fry for a few hours a day, a Pitco may be more fryer than you need. The Infernus free-standing gas fryer review covers floor models from £777. For a branded mid-range option, see the Lincat gas fryers compared.

What you need before it arrives

• A propane supply sized for the fryer. Tell your engineer the burner rating so the supply can keep up when everything is on.
• A Gas Safe registered engineer. The fryer must be installed and connected by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• Extraction. Pitco’s sheet says not to block or restrict flue gases flowing into the hood. Plan the fryer under your canopy.
• Clearances. The sheet lists minimum clearances and says do not curb mount. Check them against your layout with your engineer.
• A budget plan. All three fryers cost over £1,000, so you can buy with lease finance and pay over time.

The biggest mistake: assuming every Solstice feature is standard

Pitco’s spec sheet lists a lot of features. Several of them only come with upgraded controls.

The self-cleaning burner and down draft protection come with the upgraded controls only. So does matchless ignition with the drain valve interlock. Basket lifts must be ordered with the digital control or computer.

The fryers we list come with the standard millivolt thermostat. If you want an upgraded control, ask us before you order, not after it arrives.

Which one should you buy?

• Mostly chips, steady trade: SG14S.
• Mostly chips, very high volume: SG18S.
• Two foods, two oils: SG14TS.
• Tight budget, lighter use: look at Infernus first, then come back to Pitco when trade grows.

Whichever you choose, good oil care protects the investment. Our guide on how to clean an LPG fryer and change the oil walks through it. For the wider picture, see our best LPG fryer buying guide.

Pitco Solstice fryer FAQs

What is the difference between the Pitco SG14S and SG18S?

The SG18S has a bigger frying area and a bigger burner. Its frying area is 45.7 x 45.7cm, against 35.6 x 35.6cm on the SG14S. Both are single-tank fryers with two baskets. The SG14S is from £2,549 and the SG18S is from £3,329.

Is the Pitco SG14TS two separate fryers?

Yes, in practice. The SG14TS has two separate tanks in one cabinet. Each tank has its own burner and thermostat, so you can fry fish in one and chips in the other. Each tank has a 17.7 x 35.6cm frying area.

How much oil does a Pitco Solstice fryer hold?

We have not printed a figure because our sources disagree. Pitco’s spec sheet and our listings give different oil capacities for all three models. The SG18S holds the most. Ask us and we will confirm the figure for your model before you order.

Do Pitco Solstice fryers run on propane?

Yes. The three fryers in this review are LPG models for a propane supply. The SG14S is also sold as a natural gas version, so choose LPG when you order. A Gas Safe registered engineer must install and connect it.

Can I put a Pitco Solstice fryer in a catering trailer?

Only in a large unit with room for a floor fryer. Our listing names the SG14S as the popular choice for mobile catering units. You still need floor space, the clearances on Pitco’s sheet, extraction for the flue and a fixed propane supply fitted by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

What does Solstice burner technology mean?

It is Pitco’s blower-free burner system. Pitco’s sheet says it has no blower or ceramics and gives fast recovery. The self-cleaning burner and down draft protection are only included with the upgraded controls.

What warranty comes with a Pitco Solstice fryer?

Our SG18S and SG14TS listings give 1 year parts and labour and a 10 year tank warranty. The SG14S listing does not state a warranty, so ask us and we will confirm it before you buy.

Do Pitco Solstice fryers need an extraction canopy?

Yes, plan for one. Pitco’s sheet says not to block or restrict flue gases flowing into the hood, and not to fit vent hood drains over the flue. Your engineer and ventilation installer will confirm what your kitchen needs.