Author Topic: MY popcorn machine just exploded........Added pictures... (Read 3908 times)

divemaster127 · « **on:** February 03, 2009, 09:39:11 pm »

Hey guys, I purchased a new popcorn machine off of ebay 2 weeks ago. I used the machine for the first time 2 days ago & the machine worked fine no problem. Just a few minutes ago my son & I were watching TV when we heard what sounded like a small explosion from my game room where I store the popcorn machine. I walled in the game room to see what happened. The door of the popcorn machine exploded glass 4 ft across the room. The only thing I can figure happened is the the hinges on the door were made at a slight angle & pressure was being put on the tempered door. If my son or i were standing next to this machine while we were using this the machine one of us would be on the way to the hospital with glass in our eyes. I just emailed the seller who I purchased the machine from. They sell lots of these machines. I am a little worried about using this machine now. Any ideas
dm

the machine is made by the Great American Popcorn Company
& I did take pictures plus a stock picture of the before shot

Kevin Mullins · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2009, 10:23:09 pm »

Most of the ones I've seen use a form of plexiglass.

Sounds like something was putting stress on the edge of the glass and it just let go.
Doesn't take much on the edge of tempered glass. Like you said, the frame or something.

SavannahLion · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2009, 10:47:53 pm »

Apprently it's not unheard of.

Ken Layton · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2009, 11:51:09 pm »

Brand and model of machine please.

In movie theaters we use either Cretor's or Gold Medal brand poppers. They have glass sides, but the doors are made of plexiglass. The plexi doors are far enough away from the heat of the kettle so as to be unaffected by the heat.

Visitor Q · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2009, 07:31:40 am »

HOLY CRAP! NO PICTURES!?

<--- Pop Corn Machine (Before)

<--- Pop Corn Machine (After)

<--- ...and then here you are.

ps. Glad no one got hurt.

divemaster127 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2009, 10:54:37 am »

Pics have been added
dm

Visitor Q · « **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2009, 11:06:21 am »

Quote from: divemaster127 on February 04, 2009, 10:54:37 am

Pics have been added
dm

I guess my artist rendition was not good enough?

divemaster127 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2009, 11:07:39 am »

Picture taking is not my best subject

cmoses · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2009, 11:41:58 am »

I am glad that no one was hurt in the incident.

Any chance that there was an issue because the machine is not supported correctly? In the pictures the machine seems to not be resting on its rubber feet. They appear to hang off the edge of the table the machine is on. Could this have been causing some undue stress on the frame or the glass door?

Not a engineer or familiar with these machines but maybe that was enough to cause an issue?

Hopefully if it was a new machine there is a warranty of some sort so you can get a replacement door.

shardian · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2009, 11:47:02 am »

Quote from: SavannahLion on February 03, 2009, 10:47:53 pm

Apprently it's not unheard of.

In college, I was sitting in my car doing homework when my window exploded. Repair guy said it probably was due to having stress from being rolled up too tight.

I've also had a pinball top glass explode in my hands for no reason.

That sucks that your popcorn machine is screwed. One of these days I will get a coin-op popcorn machine. It is a dream of mine!

Visitor Q · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2009, 11:47:24 am »

I think the hardest part maybe making sure you get all that glass out of there for safe popping. I hear when temp. glass breaks it puts a dust all over everything.

divemaster127 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2009, 11:59:39 am »

All 4 rubber feet are on the small table the machine would fall if not. I talked to the manufacture & they agreed the hinges are probably at a slight angle putting a slight stress on the door. A new machine is being sent out & I will be sending this one back so they can check everything to see why the door broke. This could be a huge liability for the manufacture.
dm

Visitor Q · « **Reply #12 on:** February 04, 2009, 12:15:35 pm »

Cool.

Let them clean it.

Ken Layton · « **Reply #13 on:** February 04, 2009, 12:32:49 pm »

Well good, I'm glad the manufacturer is taking care of it.

All the commercial grade poppers we use at theaters only have glass on the sides and never on the doors. The side glass has the glass mounted in rubber channels to prevent stress/strain on the glass. The commercial ones have plexiglass doors for 1) they are opened and closed constantly and 2) it's easier to clean the machine each day when you can lift and remove the doors.

RayB · « **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:04:26 pm »

I have another theory to add to the mix: You have the machine right next to a window. How cold does it get where you are, and how drafty is the window? Where's the closest heat source?

divemaster127 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:07:59 pm »

The last few days it have been around 32 at night 50 during the day. I have central air & heat so the room stays at 73. The window is not drafty. The door broke at 7:00 in the evening.
dm

Kevin Mullins · « **Reply #16 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:14:34 pm »

Really nice to hear the manufacturer is working with you on this.
Doesn't happen often enough.

The only thing that stands out to me is that hinge design.
I'm always leery when I see holes drilled through the glass and then it's clamped on top of that. To me that's a stress point waiting to happen. And on tempered glass that would be a perfect place to cause trouble.
Was the latch done the same way? (looks magnetic)
The sides are no trouble because they are "framed" in a way that doesn't put a stress on any edge.

divemaster127 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:18:13 pm »

yes, the door is magnetic. The seller sells on ebay & amazon. They have several thousand feedback on both I went thru several pages of feedback looking to see if this has happened before & saw a few gripes on shipping damage but that's all. They sell for $269.00 but takes offers as low as $130.00 with free shipping. I checked the feedback to see the offers that had been accepted so i offered $130.00 & purchased for that.
dm

Kevin Mullins · « **Reply #18 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:27:18 pm »

Wellhell.... you did good then.

Even if it meant changing the door myself I would have been happy. (but that's just me)
But still even better if they work with you on it. Just one of them deals is this going to be a re-occurring thing or not. (?)

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #19 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:54:36 pm »

Quote from: divemaster127 on February 04, 2009, 01:18:13 pm

yes, the door is magnetic. The seller sells on ebay & amazon. They have several thousand feedback on both I went thru several pages of feedback looking to see if this has happened before & saw a few gripes on shipping damage but that's all. They sell for $269.00 but takes offers as low as $130.00 with free shipping. I checked the feedback to see the offers that had been accepted so i offered $130.00 & purchased for that.
dm

Genius! Thanks for the idea!

shardian · « **Reply #20 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:06:23 pm »

ebay link?

Ken Layton · « **Reply #21 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:10:56 pm »

Take a gander at these:

http://business.listings.ebay.com/Vending-Tabletop-Concessions_Tabletop-Concession-Machines_W0QQdfspZ32QQfromZR4QQsacatZ46589QQsocmdZListingItemList

divemaster127 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:12:31 pm »

here is a link to a 8 oz, I purchased the 6 oz, they only have the 4 & 8 oz in the machine right now. The 6 oz is only available with the cart. Look thru the feedback & you can see the bottom $$ price he accepts for each item.
dm
also your quote is coming over in a sec

http://cgi.ebay.com/RED-BAR-STYLE-POPCORN-POPPER-MACHINE-ANTIQUE-8-OZ-OUNCE_W0QQitemZ220354889236QQihZ012QQcategoryZ46592QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

shardian · « **Reply #23 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:47:37 pm »

My wife has an Aunt that has hinted they will give me their cart style popcorn popper. They are ridiculously rich and got it for a present one year - they've never even used it.

It would probably be more of a curse than a blessing though. My wife barely lets me air pop popcorn with fatfree butter spray and salt. There is no way she'd let me run the real deal stuff and actually eat it.

leapinlew · « **Reply #24 on:** February 04, 2009, 11:22:48 pm »

You sure it didn't break when you were trying to Mame it?

Kevin Mullins · « **Reply #25 on:** February 05, 2009, 12:19:00 am »

Quote from: leapinlew on February 04, 2009, 11:22:48 pm

You sure it didn't break when you were trying to Mame it?

Ooh ooh.... I so see a popcorn/crane in the works.

Ya know, the candy crane type with enclosed claws to scoop up the popcorn.

Ok, maybe not.


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