Popcorn Machine Guide

The most common type of popcorn popper is the home popcorn machine. These machines are small, counter-top appliances that can quickly and conveniently make you a healthy snack. Hot air poppers are the most common type, and they work by blowing hot air around the popcorn until they pop. Making popcorn with a hot air popper is the healthiest way to make popcorn, since no oil needs to be added. It is far better for your health to make your own popcorn using a home popcorn machine than to buy microwave popcorn. The reason for this is that microwave popcorn nearly always contains hydrogenated oils that are bad for your health.  If you want to get creative with your popcorn, you can find some good appetizer recipes and make some great popcorn snacks.

Commercial popcorn machines are used in places like movie theaters, snack trucks, state fairs, and other places where there is a need to produce a lot of popcorn quickly.  A second reason why people buy these commercial poppers is to produce ready to eat popcorn in bags or tins for sale in stores.  These snacks are a big seller at health food stores because they are a top choice for people trying to find a healthy snack.  There are also countless people who make money by selling flavored popcorn to the public.  You should look to spend anywhere from $300 to $500 for a good commercial popcorn machine.  If that is too big an investment to make, you can either buy a smaller, cheaper one, or buy a used machine.  (see below)

Due to the fact that businesses open and close so quickly these days, a used popcorn machine is very easy to find. Buying a used popper is a great choice for people starting a popcorn business with little start-up capital. They are significantly cheaper than new ones – you can find a decent model for around $100. A good place to search is craiglist.org or ebay if you are looking for cheap popcorn machines. The advantages of buying a used popcorn popper machine locally is that you get the chance to check it out first and make sure it fits your needs and expectations.

A popcorn machine rental is the perfect solution for many events. Rental prices are in the range of $50 to $75 per day, depending on the location and size of the machine. This generally does not include the cost of materials, but purchasing popcorn and other materials are very inexpensive. Here are a few of the most common uses of popcorn machine rentals are:

Businesses rent them for special events such as tent sales.
Schools use them for activity days such as school dances or graduation day.
Offices rent them for company picnics.
Individuals use them to make extra income at places like fairs and festivals.

If you think you will need a popcorn machine more than once a year, you might want to consider buying a new or used one. The price of renting a popcorn popper can be more expensive in the long run if you are going to use it even just a few times each year.

A popcorn machine cart is usually used to either sell popcorn as a business or to give it away for free to promote something.  The prices of these popcorn carts are in the range of $200 to $400, though it is possible to get a small simple cart for around $100.  These machines normally come with wheels attached to the base, so you can move it to where you need it.  You basically have two choices of styles when you get a popcorn cart.  You can either get one that looks modern, or you can get an old fashioned machine.  The popcorn they produce is the same.  It just depends on which style suits your needs better. 

If you are considering using popcorn as a promotion for your business, or want to sell popcorn at a public event, an old fashioned popcorn machine is a great choice.  These machines have an old fashioned style, but they are made using quality materials just like any other popcorn machine.  These machines will attract attention to themselves because their design makes them stand out.  Many businesses use old fashioned popcorn machines to give customers a free snack while they shop.  Wherever people tend to gather, it seems like a popcorn machine stand will attract customers. 

Popcorn machines have been in use since popcorn was invented by Charles Cretors in 1885.  Over the years, the look of popcorn machines has changed dramatically.  Some people choose to buy an antique popcorn machine for their home or business simply because they just look really cool.  These machines differ from old fashioned popcorn machines in that they really are old.  The latter is really a new machine, but just looks old!  Ebay is a pretty good place to search for these antiques if you want to buy one.