Commercial Popcorn Machines & Poppers

Commercial Popcorn Machines & Poppers Deliver Fun And Taste

Commercial popcorn machines and poppers are the centerpieces of a concession stand with the visual attraction, buttery smell, and savory taste they create. The sound of the popping action and the colorful decals attract customers and increase impulse sales. Kernels popping and flowing down a kettle and filling a heated deck can draw crowds around your snack shack. Popcorn machines can serve freshly popped warm popcorn to large groups of people with their high-output popper kettles and more storage space in their warming decks.

The Components Of A Commercial Popcorn Machine

Commercial popcorn machines and poppers are countertop electric units that can also be matched with a popcorn cart or a display stand. Each part of the machine fulfills a different function for seamless, straightforward, and safer popcorn production and serving. Knowledge of these essential elements will help you find the best commercial popcorn maker matching your expectations.

• Popper Kettle: A commercial popcorn machine’s central component is the kettle that hangs on top of the cabinet. It heats the oil and kernels to start the popping process. This stainless steel part is often removable for easier cleaning.
• Heated Warming Deck: Deck is the cabinet that stores the popped kernels warm and fresh until you are ready to serve. It is constructed of tempered glass side panels and stainless steel frames to provide the optimum temperature. The heating element runs under the metal tray on the bottom. Some commercial popcorn poppers may have a warmer light on top. However, bottom heating is preferred to a heat lamp for a more constant internal temperature. The cabinet also has a door to reach the kettle for loading and the deck’s interior for cleaning.
• Roller Bar: Most commercial popcorn machines and poppers will have a roller bar for operator safety. You can turn the kettle and empty its contents without contacting hot surfaces. 
• Drop Door: This part is a hinged cover allowing access to the deck. You can thus scoop finished products into popcorn buckets, cups, or other serving containers without opening the cabinet doors.
• Crumb Tray: Not all the kernels pop. The unpopped kernels drop into the removable fold-out tray through the perforated deck bottom. It is also known as the old-maid drawer. 
• Switches: Commercial popcorn machines generally work with three switch buttons. One turns on the light, another the heat, and the other starts the pooper motor.

Buying Tips For Commercial Popcorn Machines & Poppers

Commercial popcorn poppers are available in various sizes and styles. The most crucial point is the popper kettle size measured in ounces. The specified size indicates the ounces of kernels the kettle can pop at each popping cycle. The most common sizes are 6, 8, 12, 14, and 16 ounces for low to medium output needs. Larger establishments like stadiums, amusement parks, or arenas can benefit from industrial popcorn machines with kettle sizes that can go up to 52 ounces. 

The general rule in sizing your commercial popcorn machine is that one-ounce raw kernels make about 2.5 cups of popped popcorn. Therefore, an 8-oz. kettle can cook 160 one-oz. servings per hour. This amounts to 20 popped cups per batch or around 400 cups hourly. Alternatively, some manufacturers use quarts as a measure of hourly production capacity. An 8-ounce commercial popcorn popper will make roughly 170 quarts of popped popcorn per hour.

Style and design are other determining factors in choosing the best commercial popcorn machines and poppers. The coloring and layout in your facility will dictate your pick. Commercial movie theater popcorn machines have a cinema décor. If you want to remind customers of the old times of street vendors, you can go for an antique-style popcorn maker. Some other design features contribute to the ease of operation. For instance, a none-stick popper kettle with a twist locking disconnect feature means less hassle when removing the popper for cleaning.

Commercial popcorn machines and poppers can draw larger crowds to your concession stand. Browse poppers with various sizes and styles at Chef’s Deal from elite brands, Adcraft, Omcan USA, Winco, and more. You may also wish to match your popcorn machine with a popcorn cart or display stand.