(Topic ID: 74892)

Popcorn machine...... who has one

By JDubbbs

10 years ago


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  • Latest reply 39 days ago by phillyfan64
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    Screenshot 2024-07-09 at 12-54-49 250V10A Popcorn machine temperature controller switch for commercial popcorn maker temperature
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    Screenshot 2024-07-09 at 12-38-24 10A 250V Popcorn machine temperature controller switch for commercial popcorn maker temperatur
    There are 1,905 posts in this topic. You are on page 36 of 39.
    #1751 8 months ago

    Short video of a Ghostbusterd Ghost Trap popcorn box:
    https://twitter.com/i/status/1755592203588759874

    4 months later
    #1752 4 months ago

    Ready to pull the trigger and buy a replacement machine. 6 or 8, I haven’t decided yet. What are the better made ones currently out there? The references to rusting in older posts, has that been rectified?

    #1753 4 months ago

    Gold Medal, they're commercial grade.
    Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

    #1754 4 months ago
    Quoted from rwarren28806:

    The references to rusting in older posts, has that been rectified?

    About 6 years ago Lincoln Popper and Great Northern started using stainless roofs.

    Get at least an 8oz, you can always make 6 in an 8 - but you won't have the BTUs to make 8 in a 6oz

    #1755 4 months ago
    Quoted from vid1900:

    About 6 years ago Lincoln Popper and Great Northern started using stainless roofs.
    Get at least an 8oz, you can always make 6 in an 8 - but you won't have the BTUs to make 8 in a 6oz

    All three of mine have stainless roofs.

    they are Great Northern

    Its a great unit, and you can get them for close-out prices all the time on Amazon.

    Just put a round head stainless bolt, instead of the grub screw, like I did earlier in this thread, on the kettle or the lids will stay open.

    Its a 2 min 50 cent fix.

    #1756 4 months ago
    Quoted from pinballinreno:

    All three of mine have stainless roofs.
    they are Great Northern
    Its a great unit, and you can get them for close-out prices all the time on Amazon.
    Just put a round head stainless bolt, instead of the grub screw, like I did earlier in this thread, on the kettle or the lids will stay open.
    Its a 2 min 50 cent fix.

    GN has several 8 size units. They are called different things, why I can't figure out. They have different prices but all seem to to be mechanically and electrically the same. What are you getting for a more expensive unit? Heavier gauge metal? Thicker window panes?

    #1757 4 months ago

    Many years back, some did and some didn’t have heated bottoms. So that may or may not be part of the price difference. Unless they’re all heated now.

    #1758 4 months ago

    I can’t say for sure, but the last time I went down the popcorn machine rabbit hole, I found that essentially all except for the cheapest of cheap models of great northern have a heated deck.

    That said, I have the Lincoln popper I use all the time, and it’s never let me down once. The cost to quality ratio is perfect. Definitely recommend, especially if you can find one on sale.

    Like others have said, get the 8 oz kettle. The prepacked popcorn bag kits are most common in that size. Sam’s Club sells boxes of them for cheap if you’re a member. You can still pop smaller quantities, but it’s better to have the ability to pop the larger ones.

    #1759 4 months ago

    only way to eat popcorn imo!

    #1760 4 months ago

    Picked these up at Dollar General this morning. $1 each.

    20240615_131236 (resized).jpg20240615_131236 (resized).jpg
    #1761 4 months ago
    Quoted from Sputnik:

    Picked these up at Dollar General this morning. $1 each.
    [quoted image]

    Paper or plastic?

    #1762 4 months ago

    Plastic, slightly larger than the Great Northern ones.

    #1763 4 months ago
    Quoted from rwarren28806:

    GN has several 8 size units. They are called different things, why I can't figure out. They have different prices but all seem to to be mechanically and electrically the same. What are you getting for a more expensive unit? Heavier gauge metal? Thicker window panes?

    In reviewing several of the GN models, the difference in most seems to be in their dimensions.

    Matinee is 14.1 x 13.8 x 22.8
    Lincoln is 20.5 x 17.5 x 25.7
    Good Time is 17.1 x 14.2 x 23.8

    Is there any advantage or disadvantage to a unit dimensionally? I wouldn't think that there would be but I'm being my overly analytical self.

    Or am I missing something?

    The Lincoln is the least expensive but has the largest foot print. Sort of weird.

    #1764 4 months ago

    If you have the room, bigger is better as far as popping a few batches like for Thanksgiving or a pinball party.

    The Lincoln is the one you always see in a neighborhood bar (because it's black), holds three popped 8oz batches.

    #1765 4 months ago
    Quoted from rwarren28806:

    In reviewing several of the GN models, the difference in most seems to be in their dimensions.
    Matinee is 14.1 x 13.8 x 22.8
    Lincoln is 20.5 x 17.5 x 25.7
    Good Time is 17.1 x 14.2 x 23.8
    Is there any advantage or disadvantage to a unit dimensionally? I wouldn't think that there would be but I'm being my overly analytical self.
    Or am I missing something?
    The Lincoln is the least expensive but has the largest foot print. Sort of weird.

    I bought a matinee for my gameroom.

    I like it for its small footprint as the unit fits easily on my countertop.

    If you get the little cart, it a good place to store supplies, I do actually use the cart.

    It holds 2 8oz batches pretty well.

    I have bigger units for my 2 stores and they hold 3 batches, and the cart is pretty handy.

    #1766 4 months ago

    I got a 4oz for space reasons. Definitely get an 8oz.

    #1767 4 months ago

    As far as dimensions go... I have the Lincoln Popper, which has the "larger" cabinet compared to the other gn poppers. Personally I still wish there was more room in the cabinet.

    Not because I want it to hold more popcorn, but because there's not really enough space to use a normal popcorn scoop. I mean, yeah you can use the scoop, but you can't really tilt it within the machine to fill a bag, box, etc.

    So you have to scoop the popcorn, then pull the scoop outside the unit and fill your bucket. Which inevitably results in floor popcorn.

    I just wish there was more room inside the unit to allow for filling the bags or buckets inside the unit.

    Or just get some large plastic cups and scoop them through the popcorn filling them directly. It works but i'd still like to be able to easily fill a bag.

    #1768 4 months ago
    Quoted from Fizz:

    As far as dimensions go... I have the Lincoln Popper, which has the "larger" cabinet compared to the other gn poppers. Personally I still wish there was more room in the cabinet.
    Not because I want it to hold more popcorn, but because there's not really enough space to use a normal popcorn scoop. I mean, yeah you can use the scoop, but you can't really tilt it within the machine to fill a bag, box, etc.
    So you have to scoop the popcorn, then pull the scoop outside the unit and fill your bucket. Which inevitably results in floor popcorn.
    I just wish there was more room inside the unit to allow for filling the bags or buckets inside the unit.
    Or just get some large plastic cups and scoop them through the popcorn filling them directly. It works but i'd still like to be able to easily fill a bag.

    Just place your buckets or opened bags inside the popcorn machine when you start a batch. As it pops, it will fill up the buckets/bags for you.

    #1769 4 months ago
    Quoted from Sputnik:

    Picked these up at Dollar General this morning. $1 each.
    [quoted image]

    We had these a long time ago. The red on the outside came off real easy and they got super crappy pretty fast. Hopefully those aren't as bad as ours.

    #1770 4 months ago
    Quoted from djreddog:

    Just place your buckets or opened bags inside the popcorn machine when you start a batch. As it pops, it will fill up the buckets/bags for you.

    Interesting idea... I'll give that a shot.

    #1771 4 months ago
    Quoted from epthegeek:

    We had these a long time ago. The red on the outside came off real easy and they got super crappy pretty fast. Hopefully those aren't as bad as ours.

    Same exact thing happened with the ones that came with the machine from great northern. They were so bad that you'd end up with red on your hands. Took me a while to figure out where it was coming from.

    #1772 4 months ago
    Quoted from Fizz:

    floor popcorn

    Mmmm..

    pasted_image (resized).pngpasted_image (resized).png
    #1773 4 months ago

    Remember, if you are using a popcorn scoop to fill a container, you use the funnel end next to the handle

    Otherwise, you'll get popcorn on the floor

    IMG_20240620_133551.pngIMG_20240620_133551.png

    #1774 4 months ago

    I guess I'm going to have to get a machine..... lol

    #1775 4 months ago
    Quoted from jrcmlc:

    I guess I'm going to have to get a machine..... lol

    https://www.amazon.com/Great-Northern-Popcorn-601899FKH-Matinee/dp/B08V9C7932/ref=sr_1_5

    The red one costs more for some reason.

    I have this in my gameroom in red.

    Holds plenty of popcorn and doesnt take up a lot of space.

    The popcorn machine is separate from the cart and can be put on a counter if desired.

    #1776 4 months ago

    holy giant link batman

    #1778 4 months ago

    I am checking that out now. Thanks!

    Quoted from pinballinreno:https://www.amazon.com/Great-Northern-Popcorn-601899FKH-Matinee/dp/B08V9C7932/
    The red one costs more for some reason.
    I have this in my gameroom in red.
    Holds plenty of popcorn and doesnt take up a lot of space.
    The popcorn machine is separate from the cart and can be put on a counter if desired.

    #1779 4 months ago

    For home use look at paragon 4 oz

    #1780 4 months ago

    do you have a link by chance to the one you are talking about? (giant link or not lol)

    Quoted from zaki:For home use look at paragon 4 oz

    #1781 4 months ago

    Those paragon machines are really nice looking. According to everything I've read, they are also very good quality.

    But I just want to point out that they are much higher wattage machines. This is probably good for making popcorn, but you need to consider the current draw.

    Some of their machines will essentially max out a 15 amp circuit. So if you have other things on that circuit, in use at the same time as the popcorn machine, you may run into issues.

    Just wanted to point it out because some people may not think of this. If you won't be running other power hungry stuff on the same circuit then you'll be fine.

    #1782 4 months ago
    Quoted from zaki:

    For home use look at paragon 4 oz

    Way too small

    #1783 4 months ago

    Does this count?

    IMG_3369 (resized).jpegIMG_3369 (resized).jpeg
    #1784 4 months ago
    Quoted from jrcmlc:

    I am checking that out now. Thanks!

    I bought a Lincoln directly from Great Northern. $161 free shipping.

    #1785 4 months ago

    What's the majority on this....yah or na?

    pasted_image (resized).pngpasted_image (resized).png
    #1786 4 months ago

    Good price. I am very happy with our Great Northern popper.

    #1787 4 months ago
    Quoted from jrcmlc:

    What's the majority on this....yah or na?

    I have this exact machine. It's priced well, has both a heat lamp AND a heated deck, has all stainless construction, and the kettle heats up fast, stays hot, and makes excellent popcorn. It's been holding strong from lots of kids and drunk adults self-serving from various parties I've hosted! The 8oz kettle is the sweet spot.

    My ONLY problem is that the kettle lids are thin and flimsy, and pop up and stay up (letting out unpopped kernels), but that can be fixed with a small screw on the shaft, or magnets on the lid to weigh it down a tad bit.

    My takeaway is that it's the perfect blend of quality and price for a home gameroom. Sure, you could spend 2x or 3x more on a commercial machine from Paragon or Gold Medal, but I don't see the reason. Save that money and use the difference buy a shitload of popcorn packs. You're gonna want them after you become addicted.

    Bonus: Get a $5 brochure holder from staples and use it to hold the popcorn bags for guests.

    IMG_8745 (resized).jpgIMG_8745 (resized).jpg
    #1788 4 months ago
    Quoted from jrcmlc:

    What's the majority on this....yah or na?[quoted image]

    Get it.

    It's a popular unit that you can get any replacement part for.

    Don't worry about it being made in Taiwan; if you go to your local concession supply store, you will see that all those $$$$ brands that used to say "Made In USA" on the machines, now say "Assembled in USA"

    So if all the parts are made in China, the only difference for 4x the price is that Americans installed the glass panels and put it in a box....won't change the taste of the popcorn.

    #1789 4 months ago
    Quoted from jrcmlc:

    What's the majority on this....yah or na?[quoted image]

    How long to get the kettle seasoned?

    #1790 4 months ago

    I wiped mine down with alcohol to remove manufacturing oil. Rubbed it down with ghee, heated and cooled repeated x3. First batch came out good. Flavor improved with a few more batchs.

    #1791 4 months ago

    I will have a Gold Medal 2131 8oz Gay 90 Pinto available in a few weeks. Works great.

    #1792 4 months ago
    Quoted from jrcmlc:

    What's the majority on this....yah or na?[quoted image]

    Without a cart, you just have to set it on something.

    #1793 4 months ago
    Quoted from pinballinreno:

    Without a cart, you just have to set it on something.

    I set mine on top of a mini fridge. Perfect use of space.

    #1794 4 months ago

    I've been on the hunt for a gay pinto all my life

    Quoted from cartert:I will have a Gold Medal 2131 8oz Gay 90 Pinto available in a few weeks. Works great.

    #1797 4 months ago

    Wow. I think I could get a Ford Pinto for the same price. Although the Ford Pinto will burn the popcorn if you kick the rear bumper.

    I think I aged myself with the joke....

    pasted_image (resized).pngpasted_image (resized).png
    #1798 4 months ago

    Here your chance

    #1799 4 months ago

    Machine shows up today. Carefully open it up. Take everything out. No manual. No documentation at all. Not that it is all that necessary but usually the "Congratulations on your purchase" and the ever popular, almost mandatory, "Failure to follow these instructions will void your warranty" papers thrown in any place.

    #1800 4 months ago

    Eager to hear your experience on it. I almost bought one the other day, thought where I was going to put it needed to be hashed out a little better so held off for now. Not sure on the flow.

    Quoted from rwarren28806:Machine shows up today. Carefully open it up. Take everything out. No manual. No documentation at all. Not that it is all that necessary but usually the "Congratulations on your purchase" and the ever popular, almost mandatory, "Failure to follow these instructions will void your warranty" papers thrown in any place.

    There are 1,905 posts in this topic. You are on page 36 of 39.

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