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  Well im just about to start another restoration.. But I wanted to get some input on a few things first.. I have a hotplate style and an oil vat type.. Both need to be restored.. Ive done a few of these now but never did an oil vat type..  My question is why do so many favor the oil vat type? I have done the hotplate type before and I tend to like them alot.. Isnt the oil vat type of machines very messy.?  How does the popcorn taste on an oil vat?  Im thinking on doing the oil vat just because I havent done one before...  I would like to get anyones input..I know there are a few on here that im sure will post!  Thanks!!  :biggrin:

I have not done either but like the machines... from what I've heard is people generally migrate towards the Oil Vat version is that they are easier to repair or replace... and I've heard the oil vats are not replaceable ?

anyways that is my 2 cents worth from what I've heard from others....

 Hey SIGNGUY.. Just to let you know this is the machine I bought from you!!  Im finally getting around to getting it done... I know you have a popperete..Doesnt that work off an oil vat platform?

The Popperette uses an oil bath.  Basically a basket, with holes, is lowered into boiling oil.  It just covers the popcorn kernals.  It's not very oily. 

 Thanks Larry for your post... Thats what im wondering ..If the popcorn was oily,sticky,and chewy..lol..   It just makes me wonder why we dont see that style used today... As far as I know all poppers made today use a hotplate type cooking system... Is that because the popcorn comes out better...not all oily..ect..?

Oil vat popcorn is the best by far. Which oil would be another thread.
Suspect why it is not more common, complicated (relative) , requires maintenance and not many folks know or can appreciate the difference.
So dried out stale product is foisted upon the masses and they will still spend big money.
Top it off with fake butter and charge even more :-)
Creighton

Seems like I read somewhere the the heating element in the hotplate version is very very expensive to replace. I think someone told me it's somewhere around $1500-$2000. Please correct me if I am wrong

Jeff

Supposable there was someone reproducing that hotplate out of Florida a while back, but also heard he is no longer doing it.. so they are arn't available..

I can't wait to see how this turns out... the machine you got from me was lets just say less than perfect and needing alot of parts..

can't wait to see it!

I do know that the oil type are very labor intensive to keep clean if they are used a lot.  The oil bakes on and is tough to remove.  We used to have a machine at a place I worked back in the early 90's and all the employees hated it because they didn't want to clean it.lol

I have stated in other post, and I don't want to start a debate, that coconut oil is my favorite oil.  It is a very clean oil.  It doesn't gum up like the other oils that I have used.  I tried, corn oil, sunflower oil, vegetable oil, and coconut oil.  All of them were a pain to clean up because they will turn gummy when heated for a long time.  I clean my machine with a warm wash cloth.  It melts and removes the coconut oil effortlessly.  I used to use Goof Off on my paint to remove the oil.  never again.

Bad thing about the oil is that you have to preheat it to melt it for the pump.

Good thing is it doesn't spoil because oxygen cannot penetrate the solidified oil and ruin it.  I have used oil that were over five years old (in the container) and it was fine.  I also reheated oil for months without any spoilage.  Regular oil spoils after a month or two when it is reheated and opened to the atmosphere.

Creighton, Thanks for your reply... I never looked at it that way... I will do the oil vat type .. Im very curious to see how the corn tastes..Not to mention ive never done an oil vat type before...only done the hotplate version...thanks again.. Brian...

If memory Serves correct, that machine I sold you was set up for Oil Vat.. it was just missing some parts, so you must be rebuilding the while interior?

Hey SIGNGUY,  The machine I got from you is an oil vat version... It is a diamond in the ruff but it had the main parts... Funny thing was I had all the parts to make it a complete machine... I even plug the machine in after I put the parts in and it ran through the cycles with no problems at all...Which was a bit of a shocker... I just sent off all the chrome parts the other day to get replated.. I still havent decided what color combo im doing on it yet though... I may have an older picture of it I will post here soon..  Thanks for your reply!!

jbrumett, the hotplate heating element is a bit more spendy to replace.. Its casted into aluminum plate.. much more time consuming .. also there is two heating elements in it... Theres a high and a low.. The low heat is used to maintain a temp of about 345-350.. When the machine goes into operation the high heat kicks in.. 395-400... Once it reaches that temp the machine begins to start..   So the price you are talking about is in the ball park of what it would cost to have it done... Walter in Florida is still making them... I have made a few myself...but im trying to refine my method.. thanks for your reply...Brian... 

Great info and Great to have you on this board as alot of us love the old vintage popcorn machines too .. goes hand in hand with an ice cold Coke/Pepsi out of one of our Soda Machines!
 :happydrinkers:

Popcorn and a cold beverage go hand in hand..  SIGNGUY the machine I got from you is the one on the left... These are old pics and are not that great... But all the machines pictured I have all the parts for!! I just pic one and restore it... I also have 3 more machines not pictured... Thanks for your post!!

I few i have done over the years

A couple more

Very Nice Matt.. I just find these machines very cool... Heres a couple pics of one of the ones ive done..

Hey Larry... I also have tried other oils...and always comeback to coconut oil... It has a excellent shelf life...Very clean as you stated... Ive tried others and what a mess that turned out to be...never again...  The best coconut oil ive used is a virgin coconut oil... exspensive but very good .. Have others on here used something different?

Wow! all nice machine, was the green and yellow an original paint combo?
Also what do they the go for both unrestored and restored?

Hey John,  Thanks so much for those kind words... I am here to share my knowledge..and help anyway I can... Its good to hear that some on here love the old vintage popcorn machines.. This is a very nice site.. My hat goes off to everyone involved..  Dont get me wrong I totally love the old soda machines..  :biggrin:

The green one sold for $2000 and the restored one would sell for about $4500.

Brian, did you see my questions?

Hey Matt,  No.. Did I miss a question?

Brian,

My question was.....are you done with the cooking basket i sent you? All so do you need any parts i found a big box of spare parts.

Let me know

I too would love to have one someday (working) not the project I sold...

but one thing I've never seen is one actually working... I konw there are some moving parts and such and the flashing lights... I've seen and made videos of the popperette working from start to finish..

anyone got a video or could shoot a video of a minit pop working from dime Drop to popped corn?

John,

There is a guy ( Docbowler ) on you tube that did one.

Very nice restoration.  Is that a United bowler next to it?

  Hey Matt,  Yes I am done with the cooking basket.. Thanks so much...  I would be interested maybe on the other parts you have... I just sent you an email to you.. More or less asking what internal parts you have...Thanks again for all your help!  Let me know what you have...seems I can always use parts!..lol...

  Hey Larry,  Yes that is a united bowler next to it....Its a puck bowler... I just picked up a United Dixie Ball Bowler a few weeks ago...  Very fun machines... The Dixie im having a bit of trouble with the tenth frame.. If anyone on here knows anything please let me know  :smile:  What do you have?

  There are a few out there that have a vid of these type of machines in operation...Walter did one and it was very good... I will try to post the link.. But if that doesnt work just go to google and type in minit pop popcorn machines... you will see the list of vids out there.. Pnce again Walters vid is very good...check it out!!!  :biggrin:


► 10:14► 10:14


www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHS2yUpWeSg

The one from Walter is by far the best video... the other one of the guy rolling around on a chair makes you sick watching it, very shakey.

Thanks for posting.. makes me want one now...

  Hey John,  Yes the one from walter is very good... I agree... He points out a few things about the machines.. Plus his video is very steady..  The other one might put your head into a spin ha ha.. :tounge:

 :jawdrop:   This is one AWSOME machine!      Unbelievable...

I am in need of the black salt container on the fron t door for mine. Are they available from anyone?
Thanks, Jeff

  Hey Jeff,  they are out there... There was someone out west that made repro salt containers.. I can check for yah... But the salt box or container as you call it is not easy to find... But I have seen them around... What type of machine do you have?  Minit Pop or U pop It?

Its a U-Pop-It. Any help would be appreciated. I have no idea where to look and have not even seen parts available for these. Mine is restored and I have owned it for years but I have never fired it up. Always heard how messy and hard to clean they are so I avoided using it. Need to try the coconut oil thing.....

(http://www.freeimagehosting.net/t/o6kqy.jpg) (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/o6kqy)

Jeff

Go to Bayareaamusements.com and they have them once and awhile

  Nice machine Jeff...  But if I had a machine like that I would use it... The key to keeping it clean is using the right oil...coconut oil is what you want to use..  Do you have anyother pics of your machine?  Inside maybe?  Plus the salt box that MCarter is talking about is the sameone I am... I will try to post a pic of it...

Here is the link:

http://bayareaamusements.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=BAA&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=POP-SALT

Thanks Matt
I was looking at the site yesterday and did not see this anywhere. If I could get a sample to make drawings from I would look into making some. Have done similar things before for old gas pumps....
Jeff

Hey Jeff,  Does your machine have the stainless surrounds that go on the inside of the machine?  There should be one on the left and one for the right..lol..  I didnt notice them in your pic... Brian....

Hi Brian,
No I do not see anything like that. I need to get some inside pics. Will try to do that tomorrow.
Jeff

  Sounds good Jeff,  I might have a pair if you need them...Once you post pics I will be able to tell you what you are missing.. If im correct that u pop it you have was made in minneapolis mn... Brian...

Thanks Brian, I also have a Lucky Alley contact ball bowler I need to go through. Worked fine when I bought it but I think all of the score reels and step units are gummed up from old grease... Big job from what I can see.....

Hey Jeff,  I just finished my United Dixie Ball Bowler... I have it posted on here... But my guess is you will have to go through all the score reels and the stepping units... Its always better to do them all... Old grease turns into a hard wax..sticky and gummy... If you have problems Larry on here is very good with ball bowlers... Good luck...Brian...

bay area amusements has been out of stock for about 2 years, dont count on getting one from them. and that is for the cover and knob only does not include salt box (guts)

That's what I figured. That being said if I can get some help from someone who has one I am interested in making a few complete with internal mechanism. Have a full proto shop at my disposal.
Jeff

I might be interest in loaning mine for couple new ones.

Matt,
I will send you an email. Please look for it in case you have blocking set up.
Jeff

Matt, Your Email in your profile does not work. PM sent
Jeff

Hey Jeff, any luck on those salt disppensers?

Hi Brian, Nope not  yet. I need someone with one to help me with photos for starters so I can begin the design work. I will PM you my phone number as I would like to talk to yuo about this a bit. I know I am new here but I am sure Tom Barnes will vouch for me. He is here in the valley too.
Jeff

I have been looking for a popcorn machine for a while and I hear pros and cons about hot plate or oil and seems the oil does have to be a type that will not spoil or it can be expensive to change on regular basis.for some reason in the Atlanta area popcorn machines do not come up often.That is a great looking machine you have.

I believe the oil that is use that will not spoil is coconut oil

Coconut Oil is the most widely used due to its flavor, color and ability to keep for a long period of time without going rancid/bad as well as being the easiest to clean-up.

As far as Hot Plate vs. Oil Bath goes, my choice is the Oil Bath for a few reasons.

#1 - If adjusted properly, the Oil Bath is a fairly clean machine to operate. The cooking basket doesn't have to slam down into the oil after the cycle is finished!

#2 - If the heating element takes a dump on you you can replace it for a few bucks. If even 1 of the 2 heating elements located within the Hot Plate goes south, you are looking at a full replacement which will cost you over $2000 (last time I checked)

Brian  :smile:

Which popcorn poppers use the Element ? And witch use the Hot Plate .

Thanks !!!!

Here is what I'm aware of based the machines I've seen or owned in the Past.

U Pop It - Came in both Hot Plate and Oil Vat styles
Popmatic - Came in Hot Plate and Oil Vat Styles
Popperette - Came only in Oil Vat Style.

THANKS !!!! John  :smile:

Minut Pops also had an infra red version.

Yeah, what they said!  :laugh:

 Hey everyone.. Just to clear a few things up on who made what type of machines and also the pro and cons of hotplate and oil vat..

 "PopcornShop" made both types.. But proffected the hotplate.
 "Minit Pop" made both types as well..
 "U Pop It"  made both and also worked with the PopcornShop..

 Let it be known that machines early on were more common to see in an oil vat type cooking system.. As the machines went on the hotplat slowly came into the picture and by the end of the run most if not all were hotplat type.. I have read countless patents on why the hotplat was used over oil vat.. All favor the hoplat for several reasons... Here are a few main ones I have read.. The big reason for the change was because of the oil that was held in the bottom of an oil vat or where the cooking basket sat was held at a temp of 400 degress...over any period of time no matter what type of oil you used it would begin to break down because of the extreme heat it was under for such long periods of time.. The hotplat on the other hand did not have this problem.. It could sit idle for hours with no problem.. And the reason was because it would sit at idle at a temp about 320 degrees..Then when in operation it would kick up to about 400 degrees.. Each time it was used it also got a fresh amount of oil.. While the oil vat never got a"complete" amount of fresh oil..It was only added when the float got low enough to allow some in the oil vat.. So as you can see your oil vat never would get a complete amount of fresh oil... Its like changing your oil in your car but not changing the filter...So your end result would be contaminated oil.. Not a good combination if you are trying to keep things fresh..Thus is why they phased out the oil vat type systems.. If any of you have any questions please feel free to comment.. Brian...
 

All true facts. But you know as well as I do that the Hot Plate itself is a ticking time-bomb!!

Ha ha How very true Brian.. I wish I could say they would last forever..but they don't.. We need to find a better replacement for a Hotplate.. Like a heating element that can be changed with in the casted hotplate..  This Easter my machine was very busy popin corn.. But was it good... I have my machine dialed in real good right now..It pops some very good popcorn right now..  :smile:

There was a minit pop that just ended on ebay yesterday.....Did anyone here get it? It was in Michigan.

I did, I'm still not sure if it was a good buy or not, picking it up on Friday, the guy assured me that it was working when he bought it 30 years ago and stored it till now, but after expanding the very few pics I got from him 10 000% I'm thinking he might be full of $H#T, looks to be missing a few parts, but it's so dirty it may just be the pics, keeping my fingers crossed... Parts on those suckers can get expensive !

Hopefully it turns out good for you, Jeff. Post some pictures when you after you get the machine. There are a few guys here at SMC that are pretty knowledgable when it comes to Minit-Pop & U-Pop-It machines.

Thanks Brian, I will definitely do so, I'm picking it up Friday so after a good cleaning ill post some picture !

Well I picked up the minit pop, maybe my wife is on to something, I need to stop being such a jaded cynic, not only was the machine complete and still in working condition, the guy I bought it from was probably the coolest, most eccentric and intriguing characters I've ever met! So after cleaning the two inches of grease and dirt from it I will post some pictures in a new thread ! At the of the day, I think I did ok on it, can't wait to get some input from you guys !

Jeff !

I seen that machine on ebay... I think that was a good deal... If its the same one I seen it would make a good machine to restore..lol.. If the machine has been sitting that long there is a lot of things you want to do before running it... Make sure you run it through a few cycles before filling it with popcorn and oil.. And when doing that make sure you disconnect the heaters in the oil tank and in the popcorn cooking basket so they wont burn out while dry running it... Clean the blower fan and oil it.. Do the same to the drive motor and oil that also... Plus clean the gears and shafts and oil them.. Plus do a good visual on the wire through the machine..If you don't do things like that you might run the risk of burning out a motor or other things like that... Good luck  :smile:

Thanks for the great advice, I know next to nothing on these machine so any help and advice is greatly appreciated, I was planing a very thorough cleaning of the machine but I will pay extra attention to the things you mentioned, thanks again !

By the way I've seen a few of the machines you've restored, you do great work, I can only hope mine looks as good one day lol

And yes, it's the same machine you seen on eBay from Burton Michigan that sold last week !

I can help if you need some. But don't turn it on till you have everything ready to be turned on.

  Jeffmon, Congrats on your purchase... If there is any help at all you need just let me know... Im always happy to help in anyway I can... But yes give it a good cleaning..and when you can post a few pics on here..maybe one of the back with the door open to see what you have.. If I remember right that's an oil vat version.. Once you do get this machine up and running you will enjoy it a lot..  :smile: