Step-by-Step to Shrimperfect™ Shrimp
01. Welcome to Team Prawnto
Your new Prawnto has arrived, and you're one step closer to creating your first Shrimperfect™ Day!
We know you're eager to put your Prawnto to work. Before getting started, let's take a few moments to unpack your machine, become familiar with its components, and make sure everything is ready for safe and successful operation.
You may have already watched our “How to Set Up Your Prawnto” instructional video while waiting for your machine to arrive. Whether you're watching it for the first time or reviewing it again, we encourage you to follow along with the video as you unpack and prepare your Prawnto.
Our goal is to help you get started with confidence and enjoy the benefits of being part of Team Prawnto.
02. Unboxing Your Prawnto
IMPORTANT — Save Your Shipping Box: Your Prawnto arrives in a strong, specially engineered shipping box designed for two shipments. We recommend keeping the original shipping box and foam blanket. If your Prawnto ever needs service or repair, you'll have the proper packaging to safely return your machine and protect your investment.
Unpacking Your Prawnto: Begin by removing the Quick Manual Card, which is wrapped in the bilingual “WARNING — ACTION REQUIRED BEFORE USE!” notice. Unfold the warning notice and review the important oiling instructions before using your Prawnto.
Next, remove the protective foam blanket.
Locate and remove the bag containing your complimentary Tool Kit and bottle of Prawnto Oil. Both items are included with every new Prawnto.
Carefully lift your Prawnto from the shipping box and place it on a clean, secure work surface.
03. Safety Labels & Guards
Getting to Know Your Prawnto: Now that your Prawnto is out of its shipping box, take a few moments to become familiar with your new machine. Take a look at the different components and how they work together. You'll become more familiar with each of them as we guide you through setting up your Prawnto.
Important — Read Your Safety and Warning Labels: Before moving forward with your setup, take a moment to locate and read all the safety and warning labels on your Prawnto. These labels provide important information about the safe operation and handling of your Prawnto.
Keep Your Safety Guards in Place: Your Prawnto is equipped with two important safety guards: the Round Guard and Square Guard. Both guards are essential to safe operation and must remain securely attached whenever the machine is in use.
Never operate your Prawnto without both safety guards properly installed.
Always turn off and unplug your Prawnto before removing guards for cleaning, maintenance, or adjustments.
04. First-Use Oiling
IMPORTANT — Oil Your Prawnto Before Operating: Proper oiling helps prevent chafing, chattering, and possible heat damage between the Feeder Discs and Roller Discs.
Using the complimentary bottle of Prawnto Oil included with your machine, cut the smallest possible opening in the bottle tip to dispense the oil in droplets. Apply Prawnto Oil to the disc contact points before first use and before each shift.
During the first week of operation, while the discs are breaking in, apply Prawnto Oil several times throughout the day — before operation, during operation as needed, and after cleaning.
For additional guidance, watch the “Oiling Your Prawnto” training video at
www.Prawnto.com.
05. Preparing Your Work Area
Your Prawnto should be positioned on a clean, secure work surface with sufficient room for handling and processing shrimp comfortably.
Proper workstation setup helps improve operator comfort, efficiency, and productivity.
06. Using Without Accessories
Your Prawnto can operate independently on a suitable work surface without a Speed Pan or Processing Table.
Make sure all four feet are securely supported, with sufficient clearance for the Square Guard. Arrange your workstation so shrimp can be conveniently supplied to the machine and processed shrimp collected.
07. Prawnto Speed Pan
The Speed Pan arrives ready to use and rests on top of your Prawnto's cover, with its built-in funnel fitting into the Round Guard opening.
We recommend placing your Prawnto on a stable work table approximately 35 inches high. This height, combined with the Prawnto and Speed Pan filled with shrimp, provides an ergonomic working position for a standing operator, helping reduce fatigue and improve productivity.
08. Prawnto Processing Table
The Prawnto Processing Table arrives ready to use, with no assembly required. It includes two interchangeable shrimp funnels, a drain line with a shutoff clip, and locking swivel casters.
Position your Prawnto on the middle shelf of the Processing Table. The shelf is specially designed to accommodate the Square Guard while securely supporting all four feet of your Prawnto.
Select the appropriate funnel for the size of shrimp being processed.
The angled top shelf allows water from ice or recently washed shrimp to drain away from the shrimp. The drain line can direct this liquid into a collection container or into the bus tub below when using a false bottom to keep the shrimp above accumulated water.
A clip on the drain line allows the operator to temporarily stop drainage and release the collected liquid later.
The swivel casters allow the Processing Table to be moved and positioned conveniently. Lock the casters before operating your Prawnto to prevent unwanted movement.
Place your own standard bus tub on the bottom shelf to collect the processed shrimp.
09. Connecting to Power
You're almost ready to put your Prawnto to work!
Before connecting your machine to an electrical outlet, check the identification label on your Prawnto to confirm that the voltage and frequency match your available electrical supply.
Make sure the power switch is in the OFF position before connecting the power cord.
Connect your Prawnto to a properly grounded electrical outlet that meets the requirements shown on the machine's identification label.
Requires 220V Plug — Bare Wire Delivery: If you ordered a Prawnto with a 220V motor, your machine was shipped with a bare-wire power cord. The supplied Prawnto power cord is rated for 220V operation at both 50Hz and 60Hz. We recommend having a certified electrical technician attach the appropriate plug to match your electrical receptacle before connecting your Prawnto to power. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Prawnto Shrimp Machine Co. of Texas at (800) 426-7254.
Important — Electrical Safety:
Never operate your Prawnto with a damaged power cord or plug. Keep electrical connections away from water and wet work areas.
10. Initial Settings
Understanding Your Prawnto's Initial Settings: Your new Prawnto normally arrives with the Feeder Discs, Roller Discs, and cutting blade adjusted for processing 21/25 and 26/30 shrimp grades.
Shrimp grades are generally based on the number of shrimp per pound. For example, 21/25 means approximately 21 to 25 shrimp per pound.
Because individual shrimp can vary in size, even within the same grade, these factory settings are general starting points.
If you're processing shrimp graded 16/20 or larger, or 31/35 or smaller, adjustments will generally be necessary. Even when processing 21/25 or 26/30 shrimp, minor adjustments may be needed to achieve your desired cutting and deveining results.
Always test a few shrimp and make any necessary adjustments before beginning regular processing.
11. Shrimp Temperature
IMPORTANT — Shrimp Temperature Matters: For the best cutting results, maintain shrimp temperatures between 35–38°F. Cold, firm shrimp produce cleaner, more consistent cuts.
Do not process warm, soft shrimp.
Warmer shrimp can produce irregular cuts from one shrimp to the next. Keep shrimp properly chilled throughout processing. Never process frozen shrimp or shrimp with visible ice.
12. Making Your First Cut
Let's see what your Prawnto can do!
Begin by processing one or two shrimp. Take a moment to examine the results before continuing.
13. Cut & Vein Removal
Understanding Your Cut and Vein Removal: Your Prawnto uses the serrated tip of the cutting blade to remove the vein.
The vein can only be removed where the blade actually cuts the shrimp. To remove the vein successfully, the serrated tip must reach below the vein.
Look closely at the depth and length of the cut, along with any portions of the vein that remain.
A remaining vein can provide valuable clues about the blade's depth and whether it is properly centered between the Feeder Discs.
These observations will help you determine which adjustments, if any, are needed to achieve your desired cut and consistent vein removal.
14. Feeder Disc Spacing
Feeder Disc Spacing — Matching Your Shrimp Size: The Feeder Discs #313 guide the shrimp through the cutting blade. Proper spacing between these discs is essential for accommodating different shrimp sizes and producing consistent cuts.
Your Prawnto normally arrives adjusted for processing 21/25 and 26/30 shrimp grades. Larger or smaller shrimp may require changes to the Feeder Disc spacing.
Standard Spacer #434S — 1/4 inch. Small Spacer Washer #434 — 1/16 inch. Adding or removing spacers allows you to adjust the distance between the Feeder Discs to accommodate different shrimp sizes.
Before making adjustments, we encourage you to watch and follow along with the Prawnto Setup training video at www.Prawnto.com.
IMPORTANT: Never force shrimp between Feeder Discs that are too closely spaced. Turn off and unplug your Prawnto before removing shrimp or making adjustments.
15. Blade Centering
Blade Centering — Keeping Your Cut on Target: The cutting blade should be centered between the Feeder Discs so the shrimp passes evenly across the blade. Proper blade centering helps produce consistent cuts and improves vein removal.
To check blade alignment, inspect the blade from above the machine and from the ON/OFF switch side to confirm its position between the Feeder Discs.
If the blade is not properly centered, adjustments may be necessary.
Before making adjustments, we encourage you to watch and follow along with the Prawnto Alignment & Maintenance training video at www.Prawnto.com.
IMPORTANT: Always turn off and unplug your Prawnto before inspecting or adjusting the cutting blade. Reinstall both safety guards before operating the machine.
After making adjustments, process one or two shrimp and inspect the cut before continuing production.
16. Depth of Cut
Depth of Cut — Choosing Your Cutting Style: Your Prawnto allows you to adjust the cutting depth to achieve a variety of shrimp preparation styles, from lightly scoring the shell to producing a deep Western Cut.
- Scored Shell: A shallow cut through the shell without removing the vein.
- Easy Peel: Our most popular cut. The shell is scored to make peeling easier while leaving the shell on the shrimp.
- Round Cut: Produces a rounded, uniform shrimp appearance.
- Butterfly Cut: Opens the shrimp along its back, with adjustable depth to achieve the desired butterfly presentation.
- Western Cut: A deeper cut that opens the shrimp toward the tail while leaving the tail intact.
The depth and length of the cut can be adjusted independently to achieve your desired shrimp preparation. Cut length can extend toward the tail or stop at the last joint.
For effective vein removal, the serrated tip of the cutting blade must reach below the vein. Remember, the vein is removed only where the blade actually cuts.
Before making adjustments, we encourage you to watch and follow along with the Prawnto Setup training video at www.Prawnto.com.
IMPORTANT: Always turn off and unplug your Prawnto before making adjustments. Reinstall both safety guards before operating the machine.
After adjusting the cutting depth, process one or two shrimp and inspect the cut and vein removal before continuing production.
17. Length of Cut
Length of Cut — Controlling How Far the Cut Extends: Your Prawnto allows you to adjust the length of the cut to achieve your desired shrimp preparation, from cutting along the back toward the tail to stopping before the last joint.
The Roller Disc Assembly #314 controls how far the cut extends along the shrimp. Adjusting the Roller Disc spacing allows you to change the length of the cut without changing the blade's cutting depth.
IMPORTANT: The vein is removed only where the blade actually cuts. If the cut stops before the last joint, the vein in that last joint will remain.
Before adjusting the length of cut, establish the correct Feeder Disc spacing, center the cutting blade, and adjust the cutting depth until you are close to your desired result.
Process one or two shrimp and inspect the current length of cut to determine whether an adjustment is necessary. If the cut length needs changing, adjust the Roller Disc Assembly #314 to achieve your desired result.
18. Roller Disc Assembly
The Roller Disc Assembly #314 contains six spacers, Part #415, used to adjust the spacing between the Roller Discs and control the length of cut.
The standard arrangement is four spacers between the Roller Discs and one spacer on each outside end.
How to Adjust the Roller Disc Spacing: Turn OFF and unplug your Prawnto before making adjustments.
Using the short 11/16-inch box wrench provided in your Tool Kit, loosen the Roller Disc Assembly's retaining fastener.
Reposition the spacers #415 to adjust the distance between the Roller Discs. Spacers can be moved from between the discs to the outside ends, or from the outside ends to between the discs.
Always retain all six spacers #415 on the assembly. Do not remove or discard any spacers.
When adjusting the length of cut, distribute the remaining spacers #415 between the outside ends of the Roller Disc Assembly to keep the Roller Discs centered with the Feeder Discs. The proper arrangement may vary depending on the Feeder Disc spacing.
Securely tighten the assembly so the Roller Discs and spacers remain together and cannot rotate independently of one another.
Check that the complete Roller Disc Assembly rotates freely on its shaft.
IMPORTANT — Roller Disc Assembly Orientation: When reinstalling Roller Disc Assembly #314, always slide the hex-nut side onto the Roller Shaft first. This orientation helps keep the captured hex nut in place should it become loose.
19. Final Checks
Final Checks After Adjusting the Roller Disc Assembly: After repositioning the six spacers #415 and tightening the Roller Disc Assembly #314, confirm that the Roller Discs are properly centered with the Feeder Discs.
Make sure the individual Roller Discs and spacers are securely tightened together, while the complete assembly rotates freely on its shaft.
IMPORTANT: Always reinstall both safety guards before operating your Prawnto.
Process one or two shrimp and inspect the length of cut and vein removal. Make additional adjustments only if necessary to achieve your desired results.
