Popcorn machines at K-Mart

[Bean_Bear]

Re: Popcorn machines at K-Mart

Theres a version of the KKTO from USA where they use something called a Stir Crazy with a Turbo Oven over the top (they dont use the heater in the Stir Crazy), google Stir Crazy Turbo Oven or S C/TO + Sweet Marias.

I dont know what this one is made of, but it looks like there would be a lot of "meltage" if you tried to use it as it is. Lots of talk about various parts of the Stir Crazy poppers melting when used as part of a roaster. Even an ordinary popper needs th have a chimney added, and some of the plastic taken off to work as a roaster.

Whats it made of? how much does it cost?

On the up side it is red and shiny .


Edit: I entered the letters S and C together and it got autocorrected to second crack ;D, only on CS.

[Bames]

Re: Popcorn machines at K-Mart

Sorry, not sure why those photos are on their side... theyre the right way up on my computer!

[Bames]

Re: Popcorn machines at K-Mart

Hey all,
Just saw these popcorn makers in K-Mart. I have no idea about roasting and have never roasted before, but they look like they are essentially a hot plate with a rotating arm from the middle... kinda like what proper coffee roasters look like.
Would these work? Would they work better than the more common popcorn popper?

[argus]

Re: Popcorn machines at K-Mart

Thanks shapeshifter, I look forward to seeing more.

[shapeshifter]

Re: Popcorn machines at K-Mart

argus, yes he is willing, we did discuss this originally and he was against it due to people not having the skills and maybe getting themselves in trouble but he thought that it would still be ok as a basic schematic of sorts, Ill talk to him again.  He has a big job on at work at present so it might be a week or so before he can do it.

In the meantime here is one of the original photos of what is inside, I think the board has more on it now

[argus]

Re: Popcorn machines at K-Mart

.....Yes my OH is an electronics engineer, lives and breathes it, both hobby and career

Very impressive shapeshifter!
Any chance your OH would share the schematic for your setup, even if it was only the manual fan and element control side of things and perhaps some photos of whats in the box?

[shapeshifter]

Re: Popcorn machines at K-Mart

Sorry Hatchy I didnt see your first post.

Yes my OH is an electronics engineer, lives and breathes it, both hobby and career

[Hatchy]

Re: Popcorn machines at K-Mart

and I should mention that from the pictures, this Lumina brand appears to be the same thing as the kmart brand posted in the pics above.

Ill be grabbing a couple of these to play around with.

[Hatchy]

ALDI - 12 Popcorn maker

Absolutely brilliant shapeshifter.
You must be an electronics engineer?

For all those interested - ALDI have $12 popcorn makers starting thursday - Lumina brand.

[shapeshifter]

Re: Popcorn machines at K-Mart

Oh cool, thanks Andy  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Ummm scarey  ;D ;D ;D yeah my kitchen my mess (have to admit the floors have never been vacuumed so much since I took up roasting), my OH is the envy of all the guys he knows, who else has a house 3/4 full devoted to research and development engineering  ;D

It still isnt completely finished, there will be a power switch on the front and the next button over is for the programs, I can do any sort of programs I want, from set profiles Ive put in with the fan/heat speed to temperature/time programs (if that makes sense) and it all goes back and forth through wifi to my laptop.  The temperature gauge is also the first gauge but isnt connected yet  ;D

Oh I should add though that although it can do all the program side of things I still prefer to do it manually, oh course I can override the programs but I like full manual control as the roast progresses.

Ohhhh also forgot to add, the beans cool in there as well !!!  Normally takes about 2 minutes from 220 to 40 degrees.

[scarey]

Re: Popcorn machines at K-Mart

This is what mine looks like at present.

All that chaff on the kitchen bench!  Surely that doesnt pass the SWMBO test... oh hang on :-X


;D

[Andy]

Re: Popcorn machines at K-Mart

Wow, thats insane. Certainly worhy of the McGyver Award for the "the most modified popcorn roaster on the planet."

8-)

[shapeshifter]

Re: Popcorn machines at K-Mart

This is what mine looks like at present.

Were about to start on a whole new roaster based on the popper but handling a larger quantity

[Pete39]

Re: Popcorn machines at K-Mart

Ive been modifying one of these - have built separate triac controllers for the fan and heater and am currently trying to get a feel for everything. Aim to post some pics and info sooner or later! If you havent done so, I would highly recommend doing some roasts with it in its original form - it helps with getting a feel for whats going on and when. Then if you add some more control youve got a starting point - being able to adjust the fan and heater settings to get what you want is not as simple as it sounds. As Mal mentioned, if youre thinking about pots, you need to take into account the power ratings.

[iam_mimo]

Re: Popcorn machines at K-Mart

Cool thanks.

Has anyone tried adding a potentiometer to the heating element?

I guess for now just separating them and adding on/off switches for each shall be good.