I am not an electrician nor do I pretend to be. I want to know if I can plug one of the 4 oz popcorn machines into a regular plug. I'm on a tight budget so I am hoping I don't have to get the electrician out to put in a special outlet and have a dedicated circuit.

Thanks in advance

You should have no problem.

Make sure you know the wattage of the popper in case you have some other things that take up a lot of juice using that same outlet or area.

My lights on that side of the room will dim slightly when the thermostat on the popper starts up. But I have quite a bit of stuff on that outlet. I also have a 4oz machine.

I think you want to be careful about what is plugged into the same circuit. I would not want a projector plugged into the same outlet as a popcorn machine. If you do blow a breaker you could pretty well kiss off a projector lamp at $400+.
You need to look at the 4 oz popper and see what the total power draw is. Most wall outlets are on 20 amp circuits but you would be well served to keep the load at 50-60%. Heaters are not friendly to electronics. When they switch on their elements are cold so they draw maximum current during warmup. As the element heats up, its resistance goes up and the current drops. That is why you see that initial dimming of the lights when you first turn on a large heater. In my opinion if the popper draws over 10 amps on a 20 amp circuit, it should be on its own circuit. Also, no extension cords on poppers.

..Doyle

IMO a popcorn machine should be on a "kitchen" or Dining Room" branch circuit. In our area a Kitchen or Dining Room branch circuit is required to be 20 amp 12 ga wire. The reason is for toasters, toaster ovens, etc in the kitchen and hot plates and crock pots in the dining room. The code doesn't want nusiance trips of the breaker for small heating appliances. I would suggest a popper on a similar circuit to avoid nusiance tripping of breakers. And I would never run a motor (kettle stir rod) on the same circuit as a display device.

"If you do blow a breaker you could pretty well kiss off a projector lamp at $400+."

Funn you mention that. About two years ago I fired up the projector and half way through the movie we had a power outage. I was sweating bullets because there was no cool-down fan for the bulb. You shouldn't just shut off a bulb without a cooling fan, but, when you lose power...yikes!!!!

Well, all was well, still working two years later, but, it coulda been worse! :(

I have had people pull plugs on a projector after a presentation at work and the lamp didn't survive. I agree with what Midlife said. Not a great idea to have a heater and motor on the same breaker as your electronics.

..Doyle