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We'll be buying a new small popper later when
our renovation is done. Wondering: who votes
for Cretor's and who for Gold Medal? Pros
and cons.

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Cretors is the best and most reliable. They just run and run with minimal parts replacements.

Gold medal is just ok. It seems that Gold Medal poppers always burn up the kettle power connectors and/or heating elements. The kettle dump handles like to break off.

We bought a new Cretors Diplomat 20 oz and it simply cannot be run out in a three screen with all 500 seats full. Our Cardinal rule is "thou shalt not run out of Popcorn" and the Diplomat never lets us down.
Storage wise it's not big, but when it get's cranking it can really make corn. I did a lot of reserch before we bought and the overwhelming favorite of people who have had both is Cretors.

I need advice on this subject. I too need to replace my popper. I am leaning to the Cretors but I also read Mike's letter to the manufacturer regarding quality of his Diplomat. Not sure I want to deal with all of those issues, like burning corn, and having employees cut on rough edges. Any input would be helpful.
Thanks
lance

I would have to lean the Cretors direction as well. I have heard the Gold medal stories. The Gold Medal salesman said however the kettles burn up if you use canola in them because they are designed for coconut oil.(Never had that trouble in a cretors)

My 1960? model Cretors is still pumping out great tasting corn. It was making a death moan for awhile, but a little oil fixed that. The only problem with Cretors is they don't have parts for the older machines. So I might be buying a new one fairly soon. Maybe we could get a group deal!

I have gotten prices on a 32oz diplomat and a 20oz diplomat and the 32 oz is cheaper. Both are in a three foot cabinet. I have a three screen and know that the 32oz is over kill, so what am I missing? Should I go with the less expensive larger unit?
lance

You must be talking used if the bigger one is cheaper than the smaller one. Power requirement might (but I doubt) be different. I don't know why the 32 oz would be cheaper unless the place is trying to get rid of it because no one else needs a machine that big? I'd go with the bigger one, better too much corn than not enough...

Are small batches of popcorn made in a bigger machine as good as the same sized batch in the smaller machine? Would the big machine tend to overheat smaller batches?

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Brand new machines, and they tell me that the 20 oz is not a stock kettle hence the special pricing. I doubt that I would have the staff make a half batch or anything smaller than a standard batch even if it is better than half again as much product. Any one have a diplomat? My other question is can the kettle be easily taken out to clean at the end of the shift?
lance

oops! Our popper is a 32 oz and not a 20 oz. Regarding my letter to Cretors. We were unhappy with the finish... jagged edges on cut metal and a few other things. They were very forthcoming and apologetic, the President of Cretors actually called, and it sum total the machine is great. It looks good and works well. The kettle does not come off, you clean it on the machine. The one thing I remain unhappy with is that the corn is not kept very hot once popped. I'd buy this machine again. And we absolutely went with the auto oiler.

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Mike Hurley
www.bigscreenbiz.com

how much is the Cretors Diplomat 20 sell for brand new?

Starting a new two screen theater, we checked around and went with a new Cretors Diplomat 32oz with the auto oil. First day open, right out of the box, we had no problems running and every things been smooth since. Keeps us in corn (even "Harry" business)and is not too bad to clean. Pricey (6K plus!) but I'd buy it again.