I remember when Jiffy Pop first came out, and so when I saw this in an attic recently I thought, is that a scoop vent in your attic, or Jiffy Pop?
Growing up, at 7pm on Friday nights, my friends and I would get together to watch the Flintstones cartoon on TV. Yes, in black and white. We always made something to eat - pizza, hot dogs, or Jiffy Pop.
That was when Jiffy Pop first came out. The TV commercial was all you needed to get you to buy it, if, for no other reason, just to watch it work its magic.
It was brilliant. A thin aluminum plate, used like a frying pan, with a handle, and a folded up aluminum foil cover, was filled with oil and unpopped popcorn. You merely heated it over the stove, shaking all the while, and the popcorn would begin to pop. As it did the foil would expand with steam and popcorn and soon you had a very fun meal to eat with the cartoon! Life was simple and good.
So, when I looked up and saw this scoop vent in the roof of a house recently, I was reminded!
Childhood memories are very strong!
If that doesn't look like Jiffy Pop to you, I have to say, it sure does to me!
There is so much bird nesting material in that vent that the protective screen is literally bulging into the attic!
Yes sir, that is one happy bird family!
And now the attic is suffering because of it.
Make no mistake, the scoop vent is no longer a vent - it is only a scoop!
In fact, as the only vent in this roof (yes, insufficient venting) this is now a problem! And, judging from the amount of material collected there, this has been a problem for a while!
Couple that lack of roof ventilation with the small amount of mineral wool insulation, and you got a problem! This is one hot attic!
Remember, heat seeks cold, so where does all that attic heat want to come during the summer?
That's right - into the two bedrooms on the upper level of this house. Nite, nite, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite. I bet that's been some good sleeping up there the past couple of years!
My recommendation: attic venting is essential. It needs to be provided for. It should be looked for and evaluated during a home inspection. If there is not enough venting provided, there is only one thing to do.
Turn on the Flintstones, pop up some Jiffy Pop, and have a great Friday night!
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
I remember Jiffy Pop too (and loved watching it - very cool). But, I don't remember Flntstones in B/W, so I'm guessing you're a tad older. Looks comfortable for the birds, but not comfortable for the humans.
Good morning, Jay. I too remember Jiffy Pop. Scoop vents are not common here in our area. Come to think of it, I do not recall ever seeing one...
The fact that that attic vent is actually bulging back into the attic is truly amazing.
Of course, not as amazing as Jiffy-Pop or TV (even black and white), but amazing indeed.
That said, it appears to be a rather simple cure. Remove the bulging vent and pop a few holes under the eves.
I remember the TV commercials for the Flintstones when they first came out Debbie.
Michael - They are common here, used more and more for bathroom vent discharge locations. But one by itself, without the bird nest, is not enough venting.
Isn't that fun Lenn? I thought I would share it. Getting rid of the nest would be good too. And the birds probably taste a lot like chicken...
I like warmth and warm weather. No ventilation is not a good thing as almost everything and or course everyone needs to breath as do attics. :~)
I bet those bedrooms were hot last summer James! And maybe the summer before that!
Jay a few weeks back, I discovered that they still sell Jiffy Pop. And you are exactly right, the bulging vent looks just like Jiffy Pop, but I'm sure the real Jiffy Pop's contents still taste better.
I don't know Charita. You sure that nesting material does not taste like chicken.
Wiiilllmaaa! Good old Fred Flintstone. Who could forget him or the awesome Jiffy Pop.
It's amazing how childhood can creep into the most mundane of activities Jim. This was an immediate memory!
Jay, it was a real treat to have Jiffy Pop popcorn back then. Better than the microwave popcorn they have today. Saw some birds nesting in my BBQ the other day. They will go anywhere.
Mike - anywhere that is not used or safe! And you're right - I don't eat microwave popcorn. Not even close to good.
Hi Jay,
I'm with Michael on this one. A scoop vent? Please explain in case I ever see one of these vents in the future.
I bet I don't see any ever. The builders here don't even like venting with the more popular vents like cans, soffit and power venting.
Have a great day and say hi to Fred for me. LOL
Best, Clint McKie
Scoop vents are popular here in many contexts Clint, but mostly for bathrooms. It's passive venting, but only when combined with soffit vents.
Jiffy Pos are tops,... and apparently make great vent covers...and you know where to get more.
Jiffy pop? Who says America is not the land of opportunity? The name, what it does and the product itself is sheer genius. Good post here
Maybe that popping happens in the summer heat Robert!
Richie - I remember it as a fun food and great stuff to eat!
Hello Jay,
Fun post - Jiffy Pop is still available in grocery stores here...darn it, now I am going to have to buy some just to try it again!
If it's hot enough to pop popcorn, could we say it's a self-popping attic?
Always a good read. Do they still make Jiffy Pop?
Thanks, Jay... I'm always learning something new from all of you great inspectors that share your information on Active Rain... I, too, remember Jiffy Pop, watching the Flintstones & black & white TV... Those were the good ole days of TV!!!
Thanks for sharing,
Karen Foster ~ Associate Broker, Klamath Falls, OR
Attics are mysterious places. I'm sure the homeowners had no clue there was jiffy pop growing in the vent. This might be a good time to point out folks should look in their attics every so often.
Salted straw feathers---yum---of course now it could also be worn as a hat to keep away aliens
You are certainly correct when it comes to that. Great to see that you are still on top of everything.
Jay~ funny what's up in the attic, sometimes exploring your homes attic makes perfect sense, you just proved that, just like you proved your blog is worth being on the home page. Keep it up, you are a gold star magnet :)
You certainly bring back some memories - Jiffy Pop and The Flintstones in B&W (NOT attic vents!).
WARNING - DO NOT MICROWAVE JIFFY POP POPCORN
Lisa - it's still out there! And still a lot of fun. Now if only I could find the Flintstones in black and white!
Robert - I bet this attic does get hot enough to be self popping!
Greg - don't you see it when you buy popcorn? Reading this post, I bet you do now!
Thanks Karen. We watched it on WTTG Channel 5 in Washington DC. Good times!
Pamela - who knows when they were up there last! Personally I kind of like it! It's the biggest room in the house!
Charlie - as can the Jiffy Pop pan with you are done with it! I think it catches alien radio signals as well.
Paul - in that attic I was under everything! Well, except the house... ;>)
Thanks Jon. Home inspections reveal lots of fun stuff!
John - now THAT warning is funny! Those childhood memories can come back in a snap.
It does amaze me how we find pictures like this in homes being neglected until a home inspection.
Well, there's a good reason to do an inspection Harry! And maybe every so often, not just when we sell the house!
Jay, nope the Jiffy Pop pan didn't work for me :)
Well, at least you have contact Charlie!
Good luck on the black and white - I checked Amazon and it looks like everything they have is in color.
Jiffy Pop didn't ever turn out like the commercials for me but good to know it had another purpose. Looks like it didn't turn out so well on the roof either. Lack of venting in the attic speeds the failure of the shingles too. Oh but these shingles were supposed to last 25 years.
Can you believe the nerve Lisa!? This is monstrous. No black and white? Then how can I reminisce?
Kathy - actually the shingles are slate! And not in terrific condition!