Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Raw popcorn storage

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 10-17-2007, 11:37 AM:

We have a Cretors popcorn machine that has a metal drawer meant for popcorn storage. A while ago we noticed an infestation of tiny "bugs" in the popcorn, so we tossed out that whole drawer full of corn, deep-cleaned everything in the concession from top to bottom and started using a couple of plastic storage tubs for the corn, which are inconvenient to say the least.

We had a bug-removal team come into the theatre and squirt everything, and we've had no bug problems since. It's been at least two years now.

So I'm wondering if it would be OK to go back to using the popcorn machine drawer again, and also wondering what some of you smaller operators do to store your raw corn.

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 10-17-2007, 12:33 PM:

Too many clicks

[ 10-18-2007, 04:27 PM: Message edited by: Bill Enos ]

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 10-17-2007, 12:34 PM:

We keep 3 or 4 bags in a store room on a 4 inch high platform. Another bag is emptied into a closed wooden bin between the 2 poppers ready for use. We're in an inner city location surrounded by restaurants so mice and roaches are a constant battle though neither seems to have any interest in raw corn. Since we started having an exterminator come in every 2 weeks problems have been almost nil.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 10-17-2007, 12:47 PM:

We have that 'garbage can' on a roller dolly (called a "popcorn containment kit") that we get from Proctor for our seed storage, then transfer the popcorn to the our metal containment bin for our Presidents.

Do you have a Merchant, Diplomat or President unit? If so, I know ALL about these fool things since I've overhauled these danged Cretors units.

(Dang, ask me if I miss a Manley....nothing could cook popcorn better than a Manley unit.)

Monte

Posted by Robert Burtcher (Member # 3227) on 10-17-2007, 02:13 PM:

When I worked for Dickinson, we used the drawer in the Cretors Diplomat unit we had. The bulk bags of corn were stored in the back, something like 2" or 3" off the ground. We never had a problem with bugs in the raw corn, even though the concession employees almost never cleaned out the plastic raw seed tub. [puke]

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 10-17-2007, 03:56 PM:

We purchased 6 real metal garbage cans which are "new" and never used for anything but corn. A chain with clips on the end threaded through the lid handle stops even the most insistent large rat/animal. I never saw the animal involved, but "evidence" stopped with these cans....metal cans.

Corn is removed from the shipping bag to get more in. Louis

Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 10-17-2007, 06:00 PM:

The moisture content of the un-popped corn is critical to the finished product. The "paper bag" is actually layered with plastic film to preserve the internal moisture. Each of our bags has a number on it to indicate the amount of moisture in the corn when the bag was sealed.

Placing the 'raw' corn into another container is ok for a short period of time but it will deteriorate the ability to fully pop if the moisture drops. Once the bag is opened, the corn should be stored in a sealed plastic tub or container with a tight lid. Smaller amounts of corn could be placed in a smaller tightly covered container until it is popped. (About one day's amount is best)

Always rotate the bags of corn so the older ones are used first. If there is a bag with a hole in it, use that bag first. Keep the unopened bags in a cool dry place until they are needed, then open and place the entire contents into the sealable tub.

That is how our theatres handle the raw popcorn stock.

KEN

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 10-17-2007, 08:30 PM:

quote: Kenneth Wuepper
Placing the 'raw' corn into another container is ok for a short period of time but it will deteriorate the ability to fully pop if the moisture drops. Once the bag is opened, the corn should be stored in a sealed plastic tub or container with a tight lid.

That's what we've done since we stopped using the bin in the machine, but I can't say I've noticed a difference in the amount of "old maids" we get. (We use Orville Redenbacher corn.) Either way, we only open one bag at a time.

I'm curious if the bin in the machine is "air tight" enough. It just has a slider lid that covers the corn, but it doesn't seal...just slides over the top.

Monte - we have a Diplomat machine.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 10-17-2007, 09:45 PM:

Those things aren't air tight at all.

1) The cover/slider, at least at my old theater, just sat on top and had gaps if you looked closely.

2) Even the corners of the tray itself aren't really all that "air tight." Obviously, the gaps in those corners are generally really small but molecules seem to be quite a bit smaller.

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 10-17-2007, 09:58 PM:

I wonder if you didn't get something "in the bag"...

We have two machines here. One is a floor-model Diplomat, and has a built-in seed drawer. The other is an old "President", which we use one of those "garbage can"-type arrangements with. In 21 years here, we've never had a problem with any way we've stored our seed, regardless how we shut down for the season.

In any case, during the year, nothing stays in those drawers long enough to hatch anything. So... I really wonder how you could have had a problem unless it happened to be in the bag in the first place.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 10-18-2007, 12:51 AM:

Hm. In the bag. I never thought of that possibility but you could certainly be right. At the time of that problem we were using "Mormac" popcorn. We switched to Redenbacher about a year ago.

Posted by Brad Allen (Member # 470) on 10-18-2007, 02:28 PM:

I have had "bugs" in brand new opened bag's.

Posted by Tony Ratcliff (Member # 1196) on 10-23-2007, 10:49 PM:

We have always kept the open bag of raw corn in its original bag and then placed inside a plastic garbage can that has a lid.
Plus we roll up the bag inside the can when not popping.
And we have not had a problem with bugs. And we seldom have trouble with moisture getting to the corn.

This was the practice I learned from my drive-in days and it seems to work well.

Posted by Barry Floyd (Member # 385) on 10-25-2007, 09:29 AM:

My concession girls "accidently" [Roll Eyes]

swept some spilled popcorn kernels under the ice machine this summer, and found out a week later that they had "sprouted". Just the right combination of moisture, heat and light... and they had their own "biology project" growing.

We store our kernels in the 50 lb paper bags they come in and then get transfered right to the plastic bin in the base of the popper only when we need to refill it. We usually never have more than 2-3 bags in house at any time.

Posted by R. Andrew Diercks (Member # 1725) on 10-28-2007, 03:39 PM:

My guess with the bugs was that the popcorn was contaminated prior to you getting the popcorn. Unless of course you located another source. I have seen this once and we called the popcorn company. They immediately recalled several lots of corn. I never got any bugs from any type of storage of dry corn. Definatley try to seal largely due to the moisture levels as previously mentioned.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-30-2007, 03:15 PM:

Geez Mike... I hope those "bugs" haven't made as far as the 650 yet!

Mark

Posted by Christopher Crouch (Member # 3784) on 10-31-2007, 03:39 AM:

Raw popcorn insect issues are usually angoumois grain moths, which infest the seed prior to delivery; the theatre is rarely the source of infestation, unless the first outbreak isn't addresed. A particular run of seeds could have been infested at the manufacturer (prior to bagging), but most manufacturers go to great lengths to avoid/eradicate these common pests. The most likely infestation point is the "middle man" (concession supplier). Even a near pinhole can allow them in to a bag.

This is a potential issue with nearly any seed/grain product. You should notify both the manufacturer and your concession supplier any time you notice bugs in your seed; not only is it something they need to look in to on their end, but they will often give you credit/replace the infested seed.

Posted by Deborah Longoria (Member # 4455) on 11-17-2007, 07:33 PM:

We keep only a handful of bags on hand at a time and transfer 2 bags into a plastic bin just before use and haven't had any problems. The bags are stored off the floor on metal shelving and the bin is up on a small shelf near the popper. My main concern are rodents, I hadn't even thought about bugs...thanks.