Cretors Profiteer series User manual

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SERIAL
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3243 North California Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618
PROFITEER POPCORN MACHINE
SERVICE MANUAL
120 Volt,
Single Phase, 60 Hz
230 Volt,
Single Phase, 50 Hz
READ and UNDERSTAND these servicing, and safety
instructions before servicing this popcorn machine

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SAFETY FIRST
The information in this manual is essential for the safe installation and
maintenance of your Cretors popcorn machine. The manual must be read
and understood before installing, or maintaining this equipment, or
equivalent training must be provided.
"The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance
of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment
to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury".
Ref.: 29 CFR 1926.20 (b)(4)(a)(2)
It is understood that safety rules within individual companies vary. If a
conflict exists between the safety procedures contained in this manual and
the rules of a using company, the more stringent rule should take
precedence.
I INTRODUCTION
This manual is filled with time-saving and money-saving information regarding your Cretors
popcorn machine. There is nothing, however, more important than the safety aids and warnings
that are found throughout this document. The Safety Alert Symbol is used to identify topics of
primary safety concern wherever they appear. Furthermore, a separate section has been included
which deals exclusively with operation and accident prevention.
If, after reviewing this manual, anything is unclear or technical problems are encountered, contact
the dealer from whom you purchased your machine for assistance and if there are any additional
questions, feel free to contact our Customer Service Department at the address and/or phone
number listed on the back cover of this manual. Always have the model and serial number of your
machine available to assist in obtaining the correct information.
II SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL
The symbol shown below is used to call your attention to instructions concerning your personal
safety and the safety of others. Watch this symbol. It points out important safety precautions. It
means "ATTENTION! Become Alert! Your personal safety is involved!" Read the message that
follows and be alert to the risk of personal injury or death.

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III PURPOSE OF MANUAL
This instruction manual is intended to familiarize owners with the servicing
and safety procedures associated with your Cretors popcorn machine.
This manual should be kept available to maintenance personnel.
A person who has not read and understood all service and safety instructions
is not qualified to service the popcorn machine.

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IV SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS
In the case of improper operation, qualified personnel only should perform the
following diagnostic checks, and, if necessary, corresponding adjustments and repairs.
Many of the following procedures present an electrical shock hazard and can cause
serious injury or death.
1. Parts
When ordering parts, refer to the attached parts diagram. Always supply the serial
number, model number, and voltage of your Profiteer popcorn machine.
If the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by Cretors', or by a Cretors' approved
service agent, or a similarly qualified person in order to avoid a hazard
THERMOSTAT OPERATION
A. The thermostat is installed as a safety device to prevent overheating of the kettle if the
machine should be left unattended momentarily while in operation. The operation of
the thermostat is indicated by the kettle indicator light. The thermostat is located in the
kettle. The indicator light should stay on for most of the popping cycle. The indicator
light should go off 10-20 seconds before the corn finishes popping and the kettle is
dumped. If the indicator light goes out 30 seconds or more before the corn finishes
popping, the thermostat may be too low and be in need of adjustment.
CAUTION If the corn has dried out, it may not finish popping at normal
temperatures, and the light may appear to go out early. DO NOT ADJUST KETTLE
TEMPERATURE BASED ON POOR QUALITY CORN.
B. If set too high (over 500°F 260oC), the thermostat can cause a serious fire hazard.
C. Repair parts thermostats shipped from the factory have been factory adjusted to switch
off the current to the heating elements when the kettle temperature reaches 460° F
(226oC). The factory setting should prove satisfactory; however, each thermostat must
be checked after installation to confirm correct operation. To adjust the thermostat,
perform the following operations:

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THERMOSTAT ADJUSTMENT
A. Locate the plugged thermostat adjustment hole on the side of the kettle retainer and
remove the plug.
B. Turn ‘ON’ the kettle heat.
C. Locate pyrometer over thermostat.
D. Set temperature so that the power to heat elements is cut off at the correct temperature.
KETTLE SALTED CORN SUGAR CORN
14 OZ. 460º F. (226º C) 390º F. (193º C)
E. To adjust thermostat, insert a flat blade screwdriver into the slotted adjustment screw
and turn COUNTER- CLOCKWISE to raise the temperature or CLOCKWISE to lower
the temperature.
F. Do not adjust more than one-quarter turn at a time. Check temperature after each one-
quarter turn adjustment.
G. If no pyrometer is available, the thermostat may be adjusted by observing the operation
of the indicator light as described in the Thermostat Operation section. Adjust the
thermostat so that the kettle heat is turned off 10 to 20 seconds before the corn finishes
popping and the kettle is dumped
CAUTION If the corn has dried out, it may not finish popping at normal
temperatures, and the light may appear to go out early. DO NOT ADJUST KETTLE
TEMPERATURE BASED ON POOR QUALITY CORN.
CAUTION Do not adjust the temperature so high that the pan smokes at the end of the
popping cycle.
If set too high (over 500°F or 260oC), the kettle can become a serious fire hazard.
H. Your final setting should allow the indicator light to cycle off 10 to 20 seconds prior to
dumping the kettle.
I. Observe two or three cycles of correct operation to be certain everything is working
correctly.
2. Kettle Removal
To remove the kettle assembly, perform the following operations:
A) Unplug the popcorn machine from the power supply.
B) For a 120 Volt machine, unplug the kettle from the top of the machine by twisting and
pulling the plug out of the receptacle.

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For a 230 Volt machine, unplug the kettle from the top of the machine by unscrewing
the plug from the receptacle.
C) Remove the kettle retaining spring to release the kettle.
D) Use proper lifting techniques when removing the kettle assembly to avoid injury
to back.
E) Turn the kettle upside down and remove the screws that clamp the flexible conduit
where it enters the pan.
F) Remove the nuts on the retainer.
G) Lift the retainer off the kettle and feed cable in through fitting. If carbon has formed,
careful tapping with a wood or other soft faced hammer around the edge of the retainer
will break it loose.
H) When removing nuts and spacers from the threaded studs on the bottom of the pan, do
not wipe off the silver lubricant. Without this lubricant (NEVER SEEZ) the nuts may
freeze on the studs and cause the studs to break when the nuts are turned, in an attempt
to remove them.
3. Level Kettle
A) The kettle level adjustment is made by adjusting the bolt at the top end of the gas
spring counterbalance.
B) Unplug the machine from the power source and allow the machine to cool.
C) There is an adjustment bracket (#4322) at the top of the gas spring. Loosen the nut
(#7887) on the ball support (#2118).
D) Lowering the ball support in the slot will raise the kettle, and raising the ball support
will lower the kettle.
E) Adjust so the kettle is level and tighten the nut (#7887) on to the ball support.

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V TROUBLE SHOOTING
1. Problem - Popping is slow
QUESTION: Were the correct amounts of corn and oil used?
Refer to the chart in the operating section for the correct quantities.
QUESTION: Does the kettle indicator light go out more than 30 seconds before the corn
finishes popping?
YES! Temperature set too low - See service instruction section on how to adjust
temperature.
NO!
A. Voltage may be low - check voltage at circuit breaker with kettle heat ‘ON’.
Extension cords or inadequate wiring will provide full voltage, if no load is applied.
Once the kettle heat and auxiliaries are turned on, the voltage may drop 5 to 10
volts.
B. Check the amperage draw of the heating elements, by using a clamp-on ammeter.
Determine whether or not a heating element has failed by performing the following
procedure:
a. Remove the top of the machine by removing the screws on the sides and
lifting the top off.
b. Turn ‘ON’ the kettle heat.
Place the ammeter around the blue or brown lead to the popper kettle. The following
current draws are normal:
Kettle Watt Elements 120V Amps
14 oz. 300 2711--A 2.5 amps
1250 1808-A 10.4 amps
12.9 total
Kettle Watt Elements 230V. Amps
14 oz. 300 2711-C 1.2 amps
1250 1808-C 5.2 amps
6.4 total

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A low reading indicates a problem in the kettle. The heat element may not be functioning
properly. If the element is not functioning, the possible causes are either that the element
has burned out or a lead wire has burned off one of the element terminals due to a loose
connection. In either case the kettle must be removed and the problem identified. See
Service Section for kettle removal instructions.
a) Remove kettle (see Service Section for removal instructions)
b) Check for short circuits inside the kettle.
c) If wires must be replaced, be sure to use nickel wire supplied by Cretors.
Conventional copper or "stove" wire will have limited life.
d) Make a visual check for broken, loose, burned or heat damaged wires. If there are
no obvious broken or loose wires shorting out on the kettle, the elements must be
checked.
e) Perform a continuity test on the elements. It is possible that one of the elements has
burned through its insulation and casing and is shorting out directly to the kettle
bottom.
Continuity test
Remove the nickel wires that are connected to the electrical terminals on the heat element.
Check element between the following points:
Terminal to terminal 1.
2.
120V - - 9.3 Ωtotal - 300 watt element - 48 Ω
1250 watt element - 11.5 Ω
230V - 37.2 Ωtotal - 300 watt element - 192Ω
1250 watt element 46.1 Ω
No continuity-burned element; replace.
First terminal to element case 1.
2.
Continuity to case from terminal indicates a
grounded element; replace.
No continuity - functioning properly
Second terminal to element
case
1.
2.
Continuity to case from terminal indicates a
grounded element; replace.
No continuity - functioning properly
Replace failed heat element with an identical unit available from your local dealer or from
Cretors. Reassemble and reinstall kettle assembly onto the machine.
1. Problem - Kettle will not heat
QUESTION: Do any of the other components work - motor, light, etc.?
NO! Check power supply:
A. Is it plugged in?
B. Is the receptacle live?
C. Is machine plugged into the proper voltage? Measure with voltmeter and compare

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to specification on nameplate of machine.
Do not attempt electrical repairs on the power supply circuit unless you are
qualified to do so. The electrical shock associated with line voltages can cause
serious injury or death.
YES!
A. Problem is in machine.
The following procedures are performed with the power 'ON'. As with any electrical
repairs, there is a shock hazard present.
A) Check the amperage draw of the heating element by using a clamp-on ammeter.
Check to determine whether or not the heating element has failed or thermostat is
closed or open.
B) At room temperature, the thermostat should be calling for heat and you should get a
full amp draw. (Check Trouble Shooting Section for amp draw.)
3. Problem - Corn Burns
QUESTION: Is the agitator working?
YES!
A. Check to be certain the agitator blade and weight are free to move on the bottom of
the shaft.
B. Check to be certain the stirrer blade is on the bottom of the pan and is stirring the
corn.
C. Were the correct amounts of corn and oil used? See Operation Section for correct
amounts.
D. Temperature set too high? - adjust temperature.
NO!
A. Check motor connections - loose wire.
B. Motor bad - replace.

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V SANITATION INSTRUCTIONS
Be certain the machine is turned ‘OFF’ and power is unplugged before sanitizing this
machine. Failure to do so could result in injury or death.
Do not clean heated surfaces until they have been given sufficient time to cool.
Failure to do so may result in serious burns.
1. Popping Kettle
A. Do not immerse an assembled pan in water. This will damage the electrical
components and my cause short circuits resulting in electrical shock hazard if
power is applied.
B. Do not use steel wool or other similar abrasives to clean the kettle as they will ruin the
kettle by removing the nickel plating.
C. Do not attempt to clean the kettle with power connected unless you are boiling the
"CKC" cleaning compound to clean the inside of the kettle in step F.
D. Do not attempt to clean a hot kettle. Failure to do so may result in serious burns or
scalds.
E. The kettle has a polished nickel finish and is very easy to clean if oil is not allowed to
burn on it. After the final popping, the best practice is to wait until the oil just begins to
solidify, then take a cotton towel or absorbent rag and wipe the kettle. Once the oil is
allowed to completely solidified, it can become more difficult to remove. We
recommend coconut oil for your Cretors popper; it will not stick or burn as easily as
other oils.
F. A thorough cleaning every week with "CKC" cleaning compound is recommended.
This will prevent the accumulation of carbon on the bottom and internal sides of the
kettle. When boiling the "CKC" cleaning compound in the kettle, do not fill the kettle
with more than 3/4" high of water inside the kettle. If the kettle has been overheated or
oils that tend to carbonize are used the normal cleaning procedures may not suffice.
Increase frequency as needed.
G. Cretors Outside Kettle Cleaner "COC" should be used periodically to remove popping
oil that may become baked to the outside of the kettle. The kettle agitator assembly
should be removed weekly for thorough cleaning.

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H. The agitator assembly is disassembled by removing the lifting cover, pulling up the
counterweight and then lifting the stirrer blade and pulling out. Pull down the
counterweight and cover until they come off of agitator shaft.
I. Clean all parts thoroughly, making sure to use Cretors Kettle Cleaner. Do not use any
harsh abrasives or cleaning material.
J. Reassemble in reverse order, following the directions above.
2. Cabinet
A. Remove and empty the waste clean-out drawer (#2689) daily or whenever it is full.
Under heavy use this may need to be done more often.
B. The cabinet glass and cabinet base can be cleaned with any good grade glass or
household cleaner suitable for glass and plastic surfaces. The inside of the cabinet can
be cleaned with the same cleaner as the outside, if it is the type that has a cleaning agent
to cut the oil remaining from the popping operation, and it is acceptable for food contact
surfaces. Do not soak unit with water. Avoid wetting of inside of electrical enclosure.
C. This appliance shall not be cleaned with a water jet.

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SAFETY FIRST
The information in this manual is essential for the safe installation and maintenance of
your Cretors machine. The manual must be read and understood before installing,
operating or maintaining this equipment, or equivalent training must be provided.
"The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe
conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or
eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury". Ref.: 29 CFR 1926.20
(b)(4)(a)(2)
It is understood that safety rules within individual companies vary. If a conflict exists
between the safety procedures contained in this manual and the rules of a using
company, the more stringent rule should take precedence.
This manual is filled with time-saving and money-saving information regarding your Cretors
machine. There is nothing, however, more important than the safety aids and warnings found
throughout this document.
If you have any questions, contact your local dealer and if there are any additional questions, feel
free to contact the Customer Service Department at C. Cretors and Company.
Additional copies of this manual can be obtained from C. Cretors and Company at the address
listed below. Please provide model and serial number when requesting additional copies of this
manual. There will be a nominal charge for additional copies.
Cretors guarantees this machine to be free of defects in parts, materials and workmanship for one
year. Please take this time to fill out the factory registration card and return it to the factory to
activate your warranty. If you have any questions concerning the Cretors' warranty, please contact
your local dealer or the Customer Service department at C. Cretors and Company.
C. CRETORS AND COMPANY
3243 N. CALIFORNIA AVENUE
CHICAGO, IL 60618
PHONE [phone], FAX [phone]
WEB SITE: http://www.cretors.com Email: postmas[email protected]