Popcorn is a great addition to any business. Whether you are providing a snack for customers or employees or selling popcorn, it is easy to buy a popcorn machine, and it is one of the best ways to increase your profits. Popcorn machines come in different sizes, but they generally work the same.
Commercial popcorn machines will be sturdy and durable, and they will have a warming deck to keep the popcorn fresh and warm. Continue reading to learn about the best popcorn machine for business.
The Best Popcorn Machines for Business
There are a lot of different popcorn machines on the market. This article looks at some of the best ones, ranging from countertop models to old-fashioned carts and theater-designed popcorn machines. Take a look at the following.
Last update on 2024-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Great Northern Popcorn Machine
This is a theater-style popcorn machine, and it works great in a business environment. It can make up to three gallons of popcorn, and it has a heated deck to make sure that the popcorn stays warm and fresh. It also has an old maid’s drawer that hides any rejected kernels. The design is vintage, and it is charming. It fits on a countertop, so it is easy to find a place for it.
This machine is also easy to use. It has three switches that operate independently, and they control the kettle and stirring rod, overhead light, and warming deck. Anyone can operate it, and it makes popcorn quickly. It is durable, as it is made of stainless steel and tempered glass, and it comes with three plastic cups, 25 popcorn bags, measuring cups, and a scoop. You can use this to share popcorn with customers or employees or sell popcorn quickly with this machine.
Pros:
- Separate switches for the kettle, overhead light, and warming deck
- Stirring rod that prevents kernels from sticking and burning
- Attractive, old-fashioned design
- Accessory package
Cons:
- Some assembly is required
Paragon Contempo Popcorn Machine
This is a great commercial popcorn machine that will work for any business. It has high output, and it uses a hard-coat anodized aluminum kettle. It is easy to use and easy to clean. It can make 147 one-ounce servings per hour.
The cabinet is sturdy and can handle heavy use. It has smoke-gray tinted glass walls. It has a contemporary look that is great in commercial settings and it has two control buttons that make it simple to use.
The machine has a warming deck to keep popcorn fresh and warm, and there is an old maid’s drawer where the rejected kernels can be hidden out of the way. They have a matching cart available, which is a great touch if you want it to be freestanding. It includes a popcorn scoop to make it easy to serve people.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty durable machine that can withstand commercial use
- High-quality parts
- Matching cart available
- Hard-coat anodized aluminum kettle
Cons:
- Expensive
Learn how to start a popcorn business next.
Commercial Retro Popcorn Machine
This is a high-quality popcorn machine, and it is attractive and durable. It is constructed to be commercial quality, and it has heavy-duty stainless steel and 850 watts of power. It has an eight-ounce kettle that makes a batch of popcorn in ten minutes. It also has a three-switch design to control the spotlight warmer, the stirrer, and the pot heater.
The warming deck and kernel tray keep the popcorn fresh and warm, and the rejects are separated. It has tempered glass walls that offer protection and sturdiness. It comes with several accessories, including a half-cup measuring cup, a tablespoon, a popcorn scoop, a salt shaker, and three popcorn containers. This is a durable, quality machine that will hold up for commercial use.
Pros:
- High-quality machine is built to be sturdy and durable
- It cooks a batch of popcorn in ten minutes
- Three-switch design controls spotlight warmer, kettle, and stirrer
- It comes with accessories
Cons:
- Not a lot of customer reviews
Superior Popcorn Majestic Popcorn Machine
This is a commercial-quality popcorn maker from Superior. It has a three-switch design, which controls the spotlight warmer, the stirrer, and the kettle heater. It has an all-metal gearbox, etched glass, premium-grade stainless steel, and thicker glass. It has 1500 watts of power and it is a large machine. You get 7.5 gallons of popcorn in each batch.
The construction is heavy-duty, with powder-coated stainless steel and tempered glass. It comes with three plastic serving cups, 50 popcorn serving bags, measuring cups, and a popcorn scoop. This is a commercial-grade machine that can handle a lot of action and it uses modern technology in a familiar design. It is a great option for a popcorn machine in your business.
Pros:
- High-quality construction
- 7.5 gallons of popcorn in each batch
- Warming deck, old maid’s drawer, and more
- Great accessories
Cons:
- Heavy popcorn machine
Funtime Popcorn Machine
This is a hot oil popcorn machine with a number of upgrades that make it a great choice. It has a rigid stainless steel body with tempered glass panels for walls, and the doors are also tempered glass. The motor is all metal and it is whisper-quiet. It stirs the 16-ounce stainless steel kettle to make sure that the kernels don’t stick or burn. It also has a heating deck that will keep the popcorn warm and fresh.
The style is modern and familiar, so it will fit in with your business. It has multi-function control switches that control the spotlight and deck warmer, the kettle stirrer, and the kettle heater. It has an old maid drawer that makes it easy to remove the rejected kernels and it is inspired by the Coney Island-style popcorn machines.
Pros:
- Warming light and heated deck keep popcorn fresh and warm
- Three different switches control different parts of machine
- It is made with durable, high-quality stainless steel and tempered glass
- Machine has an attractive design
Cons:
- Smaller than other popcorn machines with the same size kettle
Great Northern TopStar Commercial
The Great NorthernTopStar Commercial is a beast of a machine. It comes with a popcorn scoop, kernal scoop, and oil spoon with an additional salt shaker. It is a high-quality machine that is built to be durable and functional and is perfect for churches, schools, kid clubs, and varsity clubs. This popper has a large capacity that makes it easy to pop more corn in less time without sacrificing quality.
The design also keeps kernels from falling out of the machine while popping so the popcorn doesn’t get mixed up with other food or mess on the ground! It’s constructed of commercial-quality, heavy-duty stainless steel, and it has 1350 watts of power. It also has a 12-ounce kettle that produces five gallons of popcorn per batch.
The machine offers three switches that control the spotlight warmer, the stirrer, and the pot heater. It uses tempered safety glass walls and has a built-in warming deck and old maid’s tray. This is a sturdy machine that works great for businesses.
Pros:
- Ease of operation and cleaning
- High quality, durable construction
- Warming deck and old maid’s drawer for rejected kernels
- Accessories for convenience
Cons:
- Expensive
How to Choose the Best Popcorn Machine for Business
When you are trying to choose the best popcorn machine for business, you can look at the following features:
1. Think About Capacity
One of the most important features to consider is the capacity of the popcorn machine. How you intend to use it will determine the capacity you need. Some businesses want to have popcorn available as a snack for their customers or employees, and they can use a smaller capacity.
If you plan to sell popcorn as part of your business, you will probably want a machine with a higher capacity. Under most circumstances, you can use a machine with a kettle that holds between eight and 16 ounces.
2. Consider the Kettle
The kettle is where the popcorn is heated and pops. It should be made of a durable material and many are made with stainless steel. You will place the kernels and the oil in the kettle, and they should have stirring mechanisms that will prevent the popcorn from sticking and burning. It also helps to ensure that the heat is distributed evenly.
3. Look for a Warming Deck
When the popcorn pops, it moves to the glass cabinet from the kettle. You want to have a warming deck so that it stays warm and fresh until you serve it. Popcorn machines that have a warming deck are ideal when you have a popcorn machine for your business.
4. Look for an Old Maid Drawer
Sometimes there are kernels that are defective and don’t pop. When that happens, it is important to have a way to separate them from the rest of the batch, especially in a business setting. The last thing you want is to sell popcorn to customers and have unpopped kernels mixed in. The old maid drawer will be a place for the rejected kernels.
5. Consider How Durable It Is
When you use a popcorn machine in a business, it is likely to get a lot of use. You will want to have a popcorn machine that is made of stainless steel and tempered glass so that it will hold up to use. Be sure to check the materials that it is made of and get something durable.
6. Evaluate the Design
You want to get a machine that fits in with your decor and invites customers to have some popcorn. Many machines have an old-fashioned designs even though they use modern features. Look at the design and choose a popcorn machine that you will enjoy having around.
7. Other Features to Consider
There are other features that you might enjoy having for your popcorn machine. They can make it more noticeable and easier to use. First of all, some popcorn machines have a stand that is on wheels. This allows you to move the popcorn machine to other places. The stand can be a separate part, so you can still keep the popcorn machine on the counter when you want to.
You should also consider what accessories come with the popcorn machine. Some come with popcorn scoop, measuring cups, measuring spoons, popcorn bags, and more. Some brands have kits available to purchase as well. Look at what is available for your popcorn machine.
Another consideration is how much assembly is required. Some popcorn machines are more difficult to put together than others. Make sure that you know what to expect before your popcorn machine arrives.
Finally, look at how easy the machine is to clean. If it has a removable kettle and easy access for cleaning, you will be much happier than if you have to work too hard to clean it. Cleaning the popcorn machine is important because it will last longer if you take care of it.
How to Make Popcorn
No matter which popcorn machine you choose, you will need popcorn kernels and oil so that you can make popcorn. If you enjoy any toppings, you can get those as well. Some people enjoy melted butter on their popcorn and others prefer sweet toppings.
You need to use oil to pop the popcorn because the oil is what heats the kernels. Popcorn is made up of kernels that have two layers. The outside is the hull and it is hard as a rock. The inside has some moisture and the endosperm.
The oil will cover the kernels because when you heat the kettle, the kettle heats the oil. As the kernel heats, the moisture on the inside turns to steam. The steam expands and creates pressure inside the kernel until it bursts open. This is the popping in popcorn.
You can use many different types of oil, including sunflower oil, coconut oil, and popcorn oil. Choosing a healthier oil will help to make sure that your popcorn is a healthy snack.
Final Words
There are plenty of popcorn machines on the market, so you can find one that is ideal for your business. Consider how you intend to use it and make sure that it is high enough quality to hold up to the job. You can get a counter model or you can get one with a stand. Look at the options and choose the one that is best for your business’s needs.
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