Basic mod for popcorn maker from Target

colinwen

Got some good advice from the forum about purchasing green bean and source a popcorn maker from target 2 wks ago.
I start few batch and track the roast time,  did another mod for popcorn maker too.

I took the top-cover off the popcorn maker to release the heat and air circulation.
Put a net to avoid the skin and bean falling into the gap.
Replace the tin chimney with a tennis ball can to increase the length of chimney, so the bean wont jump out so easy.

However I found the 1st crank and 2nd crank come quicker after long chimney installed.
I have my thermometer in shipping now, hope I can figure out the best way to roast my batch.

shape_shifter

Here is what my basic mod required  ;D

UNM

Different people have different ideas of what a 'basic' mod is (what is basic to shapeshifter, may not be what you were thinking of). the longer chimney will help retain heat and therefore reduce roast times. A shorter chimney and a metal mesh sieve will help keep beans in and increase time. You could add some form of power control - reducing power to the popper will increase roast time, but you would need to check beans are still moving and roasting evenly. You can buy power controllers that will cope with the 1200W, but unlikely to be cost effective. Some people  create separate fan/heat control, interface to computers and/or implement various automated control mechanisms. Without messing with electrics, you are limited to managing input airflow and extracting heat to slow the roast down. A simple electric fan on a stand can help with that, as well as removing chaff.

colinwen

LOL Thanks shapeshifter and UNM's reply. Yes, my basic mod is super basic like kingdom garden level compared to other member's mod. I am just start to learn the roasting so it will be a long journey for me to pick up different info about modification. I don't think I will go too far in electronic modification, at least not lately. I will keep stay on the forum to learn more thing about roasting. Colin

shape_shifter

LOL Colin I was just showing off. I do love that we were able to do something with the most basic of roasters and turn it into something that I feel easily competes with the best of roasters out there for beginners  ;D Today I am just finishing the last of the Kenya Peaberry that I roasted on the 30 July.  It is seriously the same, actually if not better than what it was at the one week mark.

C-man

I am still looking for a lower watt one like 900W hard to find, all seem to be 1200W and that is just too hot

jimbojames365

Im a bit scared of tampering with my popcorn maker? If it is 1200w is that a definite no no?  :'(

UNM

on 1346421327:

Im a bit scared of tampering with my popcorn maker. If it is 1200w is that a definite no no?  :'(

Nope, go for it. The worst that can happen is that you learn something about roasting, and waste approx $1 worth of green beans. Where abouts are you?  I have a spare popper that should work well and am in SE Melbourne.

Koffee_Kosmo

on 1346462098:

Nope, go for it. The worst that can happen is that you learn something about roasting, and waste approx $1 worth of green beans. Where abouts are you?  I have a spare popper that should work well and am in SE Melbourne.

I believe that Jimbo James is from the UK

Brett H

on 1346464126:

I believe that Jimbo James is from the UK

That's a bit of a commute.  Seriously UMNs advice is spot on.  I've used a fan blowing across the top of my chimney to slow the roasts in summer. 

C-man

on 1346462098:

Nope, go for it. The worst that can happen is that you learn something about roasting, and waste approx $1 worth of green beans. Where abouts are you?  I have a spare popper that should work well and am in SE Melbourne.

how many watts is it?  if it is 900W I would be happy pay the postage