Photograph a broken fryer and ask AI what's wrong before you call a repair tech
Ramy Singh, owner of Aura Kitchen and Bar in Columbia, South Carolina, in the Free Times (Post and Courier)
Singh told the Free Times he recently used AI to avoid a costly repair call for his fryer: "We take a picture of the fryer, we ask AI what's wrong with it, and somehow their AI is able to help us and be able to fix it before deciding to (call) somebody in." He also uses AI regularly for flyers and social media graphics, but not for food pictures. The article doesn't name the AI tool.
The article doesn't name the tool; ChatGPT Free $0; Go $8/mo; Plus $20/mo; Pro $100/mo (our DIY build)
Easy · or we do it from $149/mo
AI tool (not named)
The problem
A broken fryer in a new restaurant means a costly call to a repairman, and the Free Times notes independent restaurant margins are often in the low single digits.
What happened
He estimates he has saved almost $2,500 using AI since the restaurant opened in June. Self-reported estimate.
Quoted in the source: Ramy Singh, owner, Aura Kitchen and Bar. Source: Free Times (Post and Courier): Appetite for AI: Columbia restaurants weigh the use of generated photos and graphics amid backlash (Sydney Dunlap) (2026-07-29) · Added 2026-10-20.
How to set it up yourself
- What Aura Kitchen and Bar does: per the Free Times, the owner photographs the fryer, asks AI what's wrong and fixes it before deciding whether to call a repair tech. The source doesn't name the tool, so the steps below are our DIY build with ChatGPT.
- Turn the equipment off and let it cool. Photograph the error code or display, the data plate (make, model, serial) and the part that seems wrong.
- Upload the photos to ChatGPT with the prompt below and describe the symptom in plain words (won't heat, trips the breaker, pilot goes out).
- Only do checks that are safe for staff and allowed by the manufacturer's manual; anything involving gas lines, high-voltage wiring or warranty-sealed parts goes to a licensed tech. Keep a log of what was wrong and what fixed it.
Copy-paste prompt
These photos show our {EQUIPMENT: FRYER / OVEN / ICE MACHINE}, model {MODEL FROM DATA PLATE}. Symptom: {WHAT IT DOES OR DOESN'T DO}. Error code shown: {CODE OR 'none'}. List the most likely causes in order, and for each say (1) what a staff member can safely check with the unit off and cool, (2) what needs a licensed technician, and (3) which page or section of the manufacturer's manual to look for. If you can't read something in the photo or aren't sure of the model, say so instead of guessing. Remind me of any gas or electrical safety steps first.One short email a day: 3 new AI use cases from real small businesses, each with its source and setup steps, plus a Tool of the Day. Free, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Rather not do it yourself?
We'll set this up in your tools, in your voice, tested. $149/mo with setup included (6-month minimum), or $497 pay-once. Satisfaction guarantee: we'll fix it until it works. Pay-once setups: or we refund your setup fee. $149/mo plan: cancel in the first 30 days and we refund your first month. Terms. We reply within 1 business day.
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