Other night the GFCI plug in the kitchen got real warm when I used our new air fryer. So I made a mental note to replace it as it was original to the house circa 1994 but tested well up to current time. Found out when I went to check the plug the Neutral wire was loose on the terminal screw. I could have probably just tightened it but not knowing how long it’s been loose I felt the better option was to replace it.

Anyway,,this is on the same circuit as the refrigerator, a 20a circuit. The GFCI I bought was a 20a. The one I took out was marked on the bottom as Class A GFCI 20a-2P. The top was marked 125v 60hZ 15a receptacle.

Am I ok with the 20a receptacle there?

Refrigerators and dishwashers generally require their own dedicated circuits. Check your state's code.

If your refrigerator motor starts up while you're using the deep fryer, you were probably near or at the 20A limit. That's why everything got hot.

If it were me, I wouldn't be using a high-amp electric fryer on that circuit at all. The best thing to do is find another circuit to run it on.

With some research, you can probably find the start-up and running current draw for both to see where you're at.

Yes, it was the first time I used it on that circuit and will probably not do that again. The thing that alarmed me was the heat I felt in the GFCI when I unplugged it. Figured it was maybe the terminals inside were not making good,contact, in fact they felt loose when anything was plugged into that receptacle, normally do not use it.

Once I took it out to change it that is when I turned the GFCI to access the screws and the Neutral wire came off the screw terminal. There I figured the initial problem originated.

Very likely. Did you notice any arcing or damage to the wire insulation at the ends?

No signs whatsoever.

The only difference between a 15a and 20a receptacle is the horizontal slot on the neutral side, allowing for the use of 20a devices. There are no internal differences wrt their ampacity. There’s no reason you cannot install it in a 20a circuit.

One thing to check. What is the make of your breaker panel and breaker on that circuit? Make sure it isn’t a Federal Pacific with stab lok breakers. I believe they were installed as late as 1999 or 2000.

Actually we had the panel replaced about 2013-14 as I flipped the main breaker after getting frustrated trying to find which breaker controlled a certain wall outlet. Flipped it to the off position and the house was still energized.

It wasn’t a Federal Pacific,I forgot who made it but the main breaker was not available, tried a lot of places to find one. All I could find was a “rebuilt” one and I wasn’t having any of that.

Had a new Square D panel put in at that time instead.