Kettle not getting hot enough - Nostalgia Electrics KPM-508 Popcorn Maker

Sounds like the kettle isn't getting hot enough. The thermostat is usually at fault in this situation which can be determined by checking the amp draw on the kettle. the common complaint is the kette is too hot and burning but what really is going on is it's not hot enough so the seed won't pop. Because of the heat that is there it will loose it's moisture, dry out and burn instead. You will end up with lots of old maids . Really stale corn seed will act the same way because all the moisture in it is gone and thats what is needed to pop it.

no you shouldn't have to do that. you are correct about the heat. what happens is it doesnt get hot enough for the moisture in the seed to expand to pop it, but its hot enough to dry it out so it cant pop. so it burns instead and you end up with a bunch of old maids. the thermostat is the first place to check.

If you are sure the corn is not dried out, sounds to me like its not getting hot enough. It will just dry out the moisture in the seed and burn it if the kettle is not hot enough to make the moisture expand and pop the seed open.

Is the kettle lid fully down? If not then the sensor won't get hot enough to activate the power cut off sequence. If all this is OK then consider junking the kettle for a new one. Obviously, if you are attached to kettle then take it to a reputable repairer. If the kettle is a fairly cheap one he should suggest replacing it.

The thermostat built into the kettle stops the kettle from heating at a prescribed temperature. usually around 425 F. This is hot enough to smoke and cause instant burns, but is the required temp for popping popcorn.

I do not know of a "thermal fuse" built into popcorn machines. Mechanical thermo stats are not flawless. they can and do malfunction, either too cold or too hot. the model popper you have is not adjustable, or repairable.

If you are tripping a electrical circuit breaker that is a different problem not related to kettle heat. It is a symptom of an overloading problem of your outlet, or a ground fault in the popcorn popper.

Some types of kettles use a separate power base to heat up the kettle jug. If this is the case with yours, turn the jug upside down and look. Also look at the parts on the base that touch the kettle jug contacts. If you can see the electrical contacts; mine were built on spiral rings for differing temperatures; try cleaning them with Brasso and a Q-tip (cotton swab) wiping the contacts several times to remove any tarnish and then use clean swabs to remove all traces of Brasso metal cleaner. Fill the kettle jug up to the maximum fill line and put the boiler on the maximum setting... boiling water. If the water doesn't boil... you have a more serious problem. Buy a new boiler as it isn't worth having someone fix it. Mine worked like new after I cleaned the contacts. Never immerse the jug contacts in water!!!

Put a cup of vinegar and a cup of water into the kettle and boil. Clean with a brush, rinse, boil once with clean water.

Those aren't part numbers for a Cretors popper. Must be some other brand.

Purchased at Canadian Tire mid December 07.....great sale....still more than I expected to spend on a kettle. EE and nothing.....same as previous customer comments.

There's a thermal cutout that trips if the regular safety switch isn't enough. According to the manual, if the thermal cutout trips you have to send it back to Breville for servicing.

That may be what happened, if just letting it cool down and trying again didn't work.