Americans consume about 15 billion quarts of popcorn each year. Along with being a much-loved snack, popcorn is also easy and cheap to prepare, especially with commercial popcorn machines.
Whether you run a concession stand, convenience store, or regularly host catering events, adding a popcorn machine to your arsenal will open new sales opportunities. But how do you choose a popcorn machine? Which model is right for your business?
How to Choose a Commercial Popcorn Maker
Popcorn machines are surprisingly simple in design and operation, which makes them easy to use and incorporate into your operation. Most machines have just three or four switches that allow you to make batches of popcorn and keep them warm.
A simple design also makes it easy to choose a model that will work well for your business. When choosing commercial popcorn machines, there are three main things to consider:
Volume
How much popcorn do you plan on making each day? The volume will be a determining factor when choosing commercial popcorn-making machines.
- Low Volume: If you only need to produce a few gallons of popcorn at a time, a low volume machine may work well for you. These are ideal for catering events, fundraisers, and festivals. You may find these machines labeled as "stand-up popcorn machines" or "mini popcorn machines."
- Medium Volume: The kettles in medium-volume popcorn machines can generally hold 12-14 ounces of kernels. These small popcorn machines are ideal for retail stores, large catering events, and other establishments that sell higher volumes of popcorn.
- High Volume: These models have a 16-20-ounce capacity, making them ideal for movie theaters, arenas, large fairs, and amusement parks.
Volume is arguably the most important thing to consider when choosing a popcorn machine. If your machine is too small, it won't be able to keep up with demand. On the other hand, if your machine's volume is too high, then you may be spending more than necessary.
Kettle Material
Along with the machine's volume, you'll also want to consider the kettle material. You'll find two main options here:
- Stainless steel: Although it takes longer to heat up, stainless steel kettles are incredibly durable, easy to clean, and have a longer lifespan.
- Aluminum: Although it's not as durable as stainless steel, aluminum heats up quickly and evenly. Aluminum is also a more economical choice compared to stainless steel.
The kettle material will ultimately affect how quickly you can make popcorn and how often you'll need to replace your kettle. The right choice for you will come down to your volume needs and your budget.
Style
Another thing to consider is the style of the machine. For example, do you plan to keep your popcorn machine in one spot? Do you need to transport it or use it for catering events?
If you plan to keep your machine in one spot, a countertop model is ideal. For amusement parks and events, it may be better to look for popcorn machines on wheels. You can also find other portable popcorn machines that make it easy to transport your machine wherever it's needed.
The Best Popcorn Maker Reviews
Now that you know what to look for in a popcorn machine, you may be wondering which model will work best for your business. We've rounded up some of the highest-rated professional popcorn machines to help you make an informed decision.
Winco POP-8B
Winco's POP-8B machine has an 8-ounce removable stainless steel kettle. This is a low-volume machine that allows you to make several batches of popcorn. It's ideal for concession stands or cafeterias.
The POP-8B machine features large plexiglass doors, so everyone can see the freshly popped popcorn. This model is low maintenance and easy to clean thanks to its plexiglass doors and fold-out crumb tray.
Technical Specs
- Dimensions: 23" L x 17.7" W x 14.8" H
- Weight: 35 lbs.
The Winco POP-8B makes a great addition to any foodservice business, and its simple controls make it easy for staff to use.
Omcan CE-CN-0227
The Omcan CE-CN-0227 comes equipped with an 8-ounce kettle and can operate at temperatures of 428-500В°F. It takes just 3-5 minutes to make a batch of popcorn in this machine.
This model features stainless steel and aluminum housing with tempered glass. An eye-catching design and easy operation make this a great model for concession stands and small-volume establishments.
Technical Specs
- Dimensions: 22" W x 29" H
- Weight: 55 lbs.
Like many other popcorn machines on this list, the CE-CN-0227 can be placed on a trolley to make it portable and give it that old-fashioned look.
Winco POP-8R
Winco's POP-8R has the same capacity as the 8B (8-ounces), but it comes with some additional features.
The kettle is Teflon coated to make it non-stick. Clean-up is a breeze thanks to this feature. The stainless steel crumb tray, clear plexiglass doors, and tempered glass side panels also allow for easy clean-up and high durability.
The machine itself features a bold red color and fun graphics that are eye-catching to customers.
Technical Specs
- Dimensions: 22" L x 16.5" W x 30" H
- Weight: 54 lbs.
If you're looking for a popcorn machine that will attract attention while still being portable and compact, the Winco POP-8R is an excellent choice.
Star Manufacturing 39S-A
The Star Manufacturing 39S-A popcorn machine is best suited for low-volume needs. This model has a 6-ounce capacity, with a nickel-plated steel kettle.
It takes just a few minutes to make a batch of popcorn, and the heated deck keeps each batch warm.
Technical Specs
- Dimensions: 19-1/2" W x 25-1/8" H
- Weight: 56 lbs.
With its large clear windows and eye-catching graphics, this popcorn machine makes a great addition to concession stands.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right popcorn machine doesn't have to be complicated. The volume will be the most important thing because it will dictate which size machine you'll need. Style and kettle material should also be considered to ensure your machine meets your goals.
With their affordability and easy use, popcorn machines make a great addition to concession stands, catering events, fairs, and even casual eateries.