A Wonderful Popcorn Story

On February 26, 2018, I ordered a Popcorn Machine for the Coop, which wasn’t even built yet.  I thought, rightfully so, that it would help introduce us to the new community we were now a part of.  It helped and now we have multiple neighbors claiming that we make the best popcorn anywhere, although some said they can’t have the salt, and some said they have to suck the kernels instead of chewing them.  Old people will find a way if they want popcorn LOL…

We kept the machine in the garage for a while as we grew accustomed to making popcorn for ourselves and neighbors who happened by.  This is the one we chose, mostly because it would fit into the Coop Cabinet I had planned to store it in.

We use it frequently, always making a full batch of popcorn.   We often bag the leftovers (usually a gallon bag full) to put in the mailbox for the mailman.  He loves it. 

 For the past year, I’ve had to deal with the cooker’s ceiling getting rusty.  It got to the point where I have to turn the machine upside down so I can scrub the rusty sheet metal with a stainless steel scrubber and wipe it very clean before I can cook popcorn.  Then, after the popcorn is cooked and the machine is cooled down I have to turn it upside down again and scrub the panel, wipe it clean, and apply a coat of cooking oil.  Other than that, the machine works flawlessly.

 Obviously, the cooking oil does nothing to stop the rust because within a few days there will be more rust particles all over the kettle top and the floor of the cooker.  Of course it would all have to be cleaned of rust again before I could cook another batch. 

As you can imagine, it was getting to the point of annoying the hell out of me.  I figured the warranty had long run out.  So I went on the manufacturer’s website to see if they had any idea on how to remedy the rust problem.  They wrote back asking for photos of the rust, the model #, a copy of the receipt, etc.  So I went to work taking photos of the rusty area first.  But this time I forgot to remove the door before I flipped the machine.  You guessed it – millions of pieces of tempered glass all over the floor of the Coop.  But, undeterred, and determined to get the photos and model # information, I continued with my picture taking.

Then I went looking for the receipt.  I had all of the purchase information in a file folder along with the manual and even a $10 gift card.  Imagine my surprise to find two receipts - one for the purchase price of the machine through Amazon.com and the other for a 4 year extended warranty policy for only $8.  I had completely forgotten about the extended warranty policy.  

So I eagerly read through it hoping for a miracle.  But the more I read the more I was convinced that they would not honor a claim for normal cosmetic rust, and definitely not for clumsy fingers.’  Having no realistic claim I instead wrote my letter to the manufacturer and explained that I’m almost 80 years old, live in an over 55 community where friends and neighbors enjoy my popcorn.  I was much too old to even attempt to disassemble the machine in order to replace the rusty panel.  All I was seeking was advice as to what I could do about the rust.  Surely someone else had experienced the same problem and there may be an easy solution.

I also added a PS to my email explaining that during my efforts to get a photo of the rust I dropped the glass door.  And I would need a price for purchasing a new door.

Well, shortly after I sent the requested information, they wrote back saying a new machine was being shipped to me.  Yes… I don’t even have to pay the shipping or return this one.  In a few days, I will have two popcorn machines, albeit one is now without a door and leaks rust from the ceiling.

Judy suggested that if the replacement door is too expensive, I could just go to Home Depot and have them to cut a piece of acrylic to replace the broken glass.  The glass never actually gets past ‘warm’ during the two or three minutes the popcorn is cooking, so acrylic will work just fine. 

Now I’m trying to figure out what is causing just that particular metal to rust.  I’ve come to the conclusion that the moisture is from condensation.  If I can clean the metal down to bare metal again, it may be possible for me to paint it with a high-temperature paint or coating that would stop the rust.  And if it worked on the old one, I could do the same on the new one before the rust even gets started.  Pro-active popcorn rust preventive maintenance, if you will. 

I’m just thrilled that they provide way more customer service than I expected.  Once my new machine is in place and working, I will write a glowing comment on Amazon and on their own web site. 

Before they told us we would be getting a new machine, we actually wrote on the Zip-Lok bag of popcorn we left in the mailbox for the mailman, “Last Bag of Popcorn – Machine broke.”  He will be thrilled when he learns that we are back in business.  So will we.  

I just thought it was a really great story that needed sharing.