This operates on standard voltages, 120 volt, 60 cycle, single phase, AC current.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Extension cords should not be used. You should have a properly sized outlet right at the machine. Fires can result from a light duty extension cord that overheats due to overload. You need a No. 12 wire for these machines, and extension cords of this heavy duty are usually available at your rental center. If you go over 25 feet from the outlet a No. 10 wire would be required. The extension must have a ground wire, properly connected, or you lose the safety features built into this machine.

CONTROLS:

There are three switches on this popper.

1. LIGHT AND WARMER SWITCH – turns on heat lamp and optional strip heater under corn pan.

2. KETTLE MOTOR SWITCH – turns on motor, which drives kettle agitator shaft.

3. KETTLE HEAT SWITCH – turns on heat element inside kettle.

CAUTION: The motor air intake and exhaust holes located on top of machine must be clear of any obstruction. DO NOT COVER AIR VENT HOLES as serious damage may result.

TO AVOID SERIOUS BURNS, DO NOT TOUCH KETTLE WHILE IT IS HOT!!

TO START POPPING:

1. Turn “Kettle Heat” switch and “Kettle Motor & Exhaust” switch ON.

2. “Test Pop” a kettle of corn.

A. Place on fourth (1/4) of the proper oil measure in the kettle along with three kernels of unpopped corn.

B. As soon as the three kernels pop, place the balance of the oil, plus the measured amount of corn and “Flavacol” (if needed) in the kettle. Close lid.

3. After the corn has finished popping, rotate the handle to dump the popcorn still in the kettle. Return the kettle to the upright position.

4. Repeat the cycle starting with Item No. 2, (eliminate the “Three Kernel Test Pop” step) and put a full charge of ingredients in at the same time to pop another kettle of corn. NOTE: ALWAYS POP 4 TO 5 BATCHES OF CORN IN A ROW. THE QUALITY AND FLAVOR ARE BOTH BETTER ON NO. 2, 3, 4, and 5 THAN ON THE INITIAL BATCH.

5. On the final kettle of corn, it is a good idea to turn the “Kettle Heat” switch off just as the lids are forced open by the popping corn. This saves electricity, since there is plenty of heat in the kettle, and also helps eliminate smoke and odor after you have stopped popping.

When you are finished popping, make sure “Kettle Heat” and “Kettle Motor & Exhaust” switches are turned “OFF.” NEVER LEAVE THE HEAT ON WHEN YOU ARE NOT POPPING. If you place oil in a hot kettle, remember to finish that popping cycle, or turn off the kettle. Exposure to heat starts to break down color and flavor of popcorn oils.

Always wipe the complete exterior of your kettle with a heavy cloth immediately after you finish popping and the kettle has cooled. Oil drippings will come off quite easily at this time, but will burn on and stain if not removed.

6. Turn all switches “OFF” at the close of your operations.

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS:

After you finish popping, let kettle cool until it is not too hot to handle, but still warm. Unplug kettle and remove it from machine. With a cloth, wipe out the inside of kettle, the kettle lids, kettle crossbar, outside of kettle and underneath. DO NOT DUNK KETTLE IN WATER!

Always remove all the popped popcorn and pack it into clean plastic bags. Tie this tightly with a twister to keep it fresh. Make sure the machine is clean when you return it and AVOID CLEANING CHARGES. Don’t forget to remove the old maid pan and empty out the unpopped kernels. Cleaning the cabinet of your machine is easy. Take a clean cloth and wipe excess grease from glass. Also wipe the outside of the machine.

AMOUNT OF POPCORN AND OIL:

Popcorn popped in coconut oil stays fresher longer. Coconut oil does not leave black deposits in your kettle like other oils.

Corn charge – 237 ml (8 ounces)

Oil charge – 60 ml (2 ounces)

Flavacol – 8 cc (1 tablespoon)

SAFETY TIPS:

In any series of popping – and it is always best to pop at least five batches of corn whenever you turn the kettle heat on – always turn the kettle heat off about midway through the final popping cycle – the corn is still popping rapidly – but there is plenty of heat left in the kettle to complete that popping.

If you don’t turn the heat off, you will get a smoky odor. But if you leave the heat on, your energy consumption is very expensive – the thermostat continues to open and close and can actually wear itself out.

Therefore, always make certain that your machine is on the proper voltage – or your Guarantee is void. Always make sure you dump the kettle promptly when a batch of popcorn is popped and reload it promptly – always make sure you turn the kettle “Off” before you finish the final batch in any series of poppings.

The heater stays open and you can’t get any heat to the kettle. Or, it stays locked closed and you get too much heat to the kettle. Normally, a thermostat that is locked is actually “fused” closed at the contacts – this is always a product of “operator failure” – meaning, you do not load your kettle properly and promptly – you don’t dump it promptly – or, you leave the heating elements turned on after you have finished all the popping cycles you intend to pop – or any combination of these three can ruin the thermostat.

It is strictly operator failure and Taylor Rental assumes no liability for any damage to the machine that may result or damage to your place of business that may result from this type of operator negligence.

You can recognize this before you have problems: A normal popping cycle will take about two minutes thirty-five seconds to three minutes fifteen seconds with normal voltage input. If you get a faster popping cycle, you are getting too much heat to the kettle and your thermostat is inoperative.

If your popping cycle is one minute thirty-five seconds, up to two minutes and fifteen seconds or two minutes and thirty seconds, you are getting too much heat to the kettle – your thermostat is either out of adjustment or is fused closed. (Or someone has wired around the thermostat).

The thermostats that have failed by corn which, when popped, does not expand out with the butterfly “ears” tends to form a coarse “ball” shape – and again, if you have been leaving your kettle on with no ingredients in the kettle – or if you are slow to dump the kettle when it is finished popping and slow to reload it, you are causing excess strain on the thermostat – and you may cause an excess heat build-up in the kettle, which may actually warp the kettle casting. So look for corn which, when popped, does not look right. Look for faster popping cycles than normal.

Thirdly, an excess smoky aroma during the popping cycle as opposed to a sweet buttery like aroma is an indication that your thermostat has been ruined.

There is a delicate balance between the thermostat setting, the heat applied in the heating elements and the proper amount of oil and popcorn for each batch. If operator negligence might ruin the thermostat in your machine, be sure to look for the danger sign of a thermostat which is fused closed – seemingly, excess heat in the kettle – corn that is popped under too much heat and, therefore, does not expand properly – excess burned smoke aroma around the machine – and a popping cycle that is way too fast. Any one of these danger signs should be an “alert.”