If you love roasting in a stovetop popcorn popper, but have issues with the stirrer jamming in the VKP StovePop we sell, read on!
We started hearing about some issue with the cranking mechanism jamming from some of our customers using the VKP StovePop popcorn popper (formerly called the Victorio). We thought it might be a manufacturing issue, but the more we looked into it, the more it seemed to be something a person can fix themselves with a simple adjustment.
When you receive a new VKP StovePop from us, there are instructions to assemble the stirring arm, and a small hex head wrench do secure it to the flexible stirring rod. Those instructions say there should be about 1/4 inch play in the shaft after you secure it.
But the StovePop units we received back as non-functional had a lot more play than that … some worked okay when the popper was cool, but when heated it started jamming. So I made this short video to shot the problem and solution!
The other issues reported from customers have more to do with their roasting technique.
It’s never a good thing to force the cranking mechanism if it jams. You should first try cranking a little in the opposite direction, then proceed forward. You can also lift the popper up, shake it lightly, and keep cranking.
Coffee isn’t as round and rolly as popcorn (with the exception of PeaberryA peaberry is a green coffee "bean" that has a rounded form: Coffee is the dried seed from the fruit of a flowering tree - each fruit having... ...more perhaps) so it’s understandable of it jams the stirrer more often
But if this is a chronic issue, it goes back to needing to undo that little hex-head screw, reduce the play to 1/4″ or so, tighten it up, and try your roasting again.
The screw is very small, and you want to make sure your hex head wrench has engaged before applying turning pressure to it. It’s easy to strip the hex head. If you just feel it turning, try the other end of the wrench, and make sure the wrench is fit snug in the screw before trying to turn it.
Don’t Push In On the Crank Handle While Stirring
Another technique issue we find is that people push inward (toward the popper) while cranking. It’s better, if anything, to pull outward away from the popper while stirring. Pushing inward can pusht he flex cable in, making it longer essentially, which increases the pressure of the stir arm against the bottom of the pot. Adjusting the play , as outlined above, can also help with this.
Preheating Your Popper, New Recommendation
In the past we recommended pre-heating the stovetop popper to 300 or 350 degrees. But with some burners this is too hot. It’s best to preheat only to 200 degrees, and for less than 3 minutes. This helps prevent scorchingPatches of discolored burn marks on the coffee bean, due to a high-heat roast environment or other roast error.: Scorching refers to a roast error that can be... ...more the coffee, or damaging the StovePop popper.
8 Responses
The 2mm hex wrench that came with my Stovetop popper was not a precise 2mm. Getting the wrench to snug things properly was not possible. When I had the wrench measured it was undersize. The purchase of a correct 2mm hex wrench solved the problem. i wonder if others have had a similar issue?
Hi John,
Apologies for not seeing this right away. We’re looking into it to see if there are others with that issue in-house. It should fit, and I’m sorry yours didn’t! Glad to hear you were able to pick up the correct size.
I’ll circle back after investigating.
-Dan
Hey there! My stovepop roaster internal spring just broke. Do you have any idea if it’s replaceable? Id hate to have to get rid of the entire thing just because the spring broke.
Thank you!
Hello! Yes, if it is the VKP StovePop popper we currently sell out on website then you can get replacement parts directly from the manufacturer at this link:
https://kitchencrop.com/collections/stovepop-popcorn-popper-vkp1160-parts
Happy roasting,
Jarrett
Preheating your popper to only 200°F really makes a difference when my neighbor got me interested in home roasting he really made of point of making sure i understood the importance of that. The only problem i have come across with my popper that bothered me personally was when you are getting you nice even mellow cranking going cuz you don’t need to crank it like a crazed organ grinder a nice mellow pace does the job and let’s face it is A lot easier on the arm the problem that bothered me was the wooden handle on the crankshaft wanted to slide all over the place but a couple of twist of some electrical tape on the shaft that handle don’t move now. Lol it more of an annoyance than a defect also i would to thank you for the info you shared about Hawaii Kona coffee it was very informative and interesting take coffee flower add volcano then you have a coffee that is really worth the price. I am by no means a master roaster but with the coffee library with tips on equipment ,parts ,beans and history. Sweet Maria’s certainly tries to help out even after the purchase of beans. And my neighbor who got me interested in home roasting i have realized how much people take their cup of coffee for granted for me now my morning cup of coffee stands on ceremony. I wouldn’t say that it a total spiritual journey but it is damn close. Lol and every Sunday me and my neighbor meet up with our pint mason jars of a bean that each of us have roasted they bring over their pour over and i prefer the french the press and we brew our coffee and sample each other’s handy work and and exchange ideas and then keep a little log book to look back on to see what went right or wrong my first roast i did by myself i burnt the coffee right out of the beans. I think the popper method is the best method personally cuz it is more hands on and when you are done cooling the beans down there more of sense of satisfaction and feeling of almost arrogance like yeah i just roasted that and you look around and think the rest of your people need to go back in your houses and drink your Folgers. I going to go have some Ferrari style coffee. That is just a metaphor. But sweet Maria’s made me a customer for life the first i had to call customer service and how was thinking about how painful that was gonna be don’t have good luck in that area but bravo sweet Maria’s has the most wonderful and cheerful customer service department i had to check my phone to see if i dailed the right number but that phone call didn’t end until the person i was speaking too was satisfied that i satisfied when i hung up i wanted to go to SEATAC and fly to Oakland right then and there and shake all of your hands too many companies these days large or small have lost touch with theirs consumers and the human interaction isnt there anymore but i am glad that you guys have not gone done that road
Haha – thanks for the comment! No need to fly down. Saying it here means a lot! Yes your neighbor was spot on with the pre-heating tip. Glad they set you off on a good start!
I will just say I’m still using my Whirley popcorn popper cowboy style on the side burner of my old gas grille. I have removed the whirligig thing and just put a piece of threaded Rod thru the handle to stabilize it. I also admit I never finished my Larry Cotten wobble disc roaster because I tried the heat gun out using my left hand to drive that hot air into the open top half of my whirly popper. So I’ve got a hybrid heat supply and also agitate the beans with my stronger right arm. It is quite a workout but is very satisfying as Gilbert says “go back inside and drink your Folgers people” 🤣
I am certain that any reasonably well roasted green bean when properly cooled and rested and ground properly and FRESH will create such a profoundly flavorful cup of coffee, you will never buy a cup of Joe at retail again. I am partial to the Chemex but think any pour over coffee maker will suffice. Sweet Maria’s has the best staff, products, and service for any coffee snob or wannabe. I wish you all continued success in spite of our current challenges. Yes we will muddle through this together!!!
I’m with you – pretty nomatter how you roast, fresh roasted coffee is going to beat out low quality supermarket coffee and you can never go back! Tomorrow we are having our ins-store event “Second Crack” and I will present a commercial level coffee along side our normal offerings. I can’t wait to see people’s reactions!