5 Best Commercial Popcorn Machine | Top Picks for Home and Commercial Use

Looking to increase the yield of profit of your business? Even if you do not run a business, you must be wanting to get instant access to movie theater-style popcorn for movie nights, right? Well, one thing is sure that you can not make any of these two possible with average-grade popcorn machines.

So, what do you need to make hassle-free yummy popcorn? The best commercial popcorn machine! But the thing is that there are loads of commercial popcorn machines out there. And not all can make the popcorn kernels pop efficiently.

Well, getting loads of unpopped kernels in your bowl would not be something you would want in ball game night, would you? Well, that is where we step in. We will make choosing a good popcorn machine feel like melting butter. Do not believe us? Stick till the end!

5 Best Commercial Popcorn Machine

We have gone through more than ten machines. And after comparing them head to head, these are the ones that stood out:

1. GREAT NORTHERN POPCORN COMPANY 6210 Pop Heaven

One of the first things we considered when looking for the best commercial popcorn machines is the construction. And this popcorn maker managed to pass well over our expectations in that regard.

Instead of opting for traditional materials, the brand has opted for heavy-duty stainless steel construction for this popcorn maker. That will enhance the overall lifespan and allow you to get extended use out of the popcorn popper.

The heater will not even let you down. It utilizes an industrial pot heater that has a 1350 watts rating. There is a warming deck present too. Thanks to the glass panels, it will be possible to monitor the overall process.

You will also find a reject kernel tray in the popcorn popper. That will contain all of the unpopped kernels in one place, which can make cleanup easier. When it comes to looks, the powder-coated stainless steel finish will surely make it stand it.

Pros

• Made of heavy-duty stainless steel
• Features a warming deck
• Sports tempered glass panels
• Includes a tray for unpopped corn kernels
• Boasts an industrial-grade popcorn machine heater

Cons

• Stainless steel kettle is not that large
• Includes a low-grade oil scoop

Verdict

The heavy-duty stainless steel construction is the thing that makes it stand out the most. It also features has tempered glass windows, and each of them is made of thick glass.

2. Great Northern Popcorn Company 6092

What if we told you that you could have options in terms of outlook when choosing the best commercial popcorn machine? Yes, this popcorn maker is going to offer exactly that.

As mentioned, this popcorn machine comes in two different options. Depending on the theme you want to opt for, you can opt for the red or black popcorn maker. Both will provide exactly what home theater enthusiasts look for in terms of outlooks.

There is a stainless steel kettle that is 8 oz in size. It can make a total of 3 gallons of freshly popped popcorn. And the built-in warming deck can keep the popcorn fresh for an extended amount of time.

The popcorn machine is pretty easy to use as well. It sports an 850 watts heater that will make it easier to prepare delicious popcorn. To keep the unpopped kernels away from the fresh popcorn, it has an old-maid drawer.

Pros

• Includes an 8oz stainless steel kettle
• Sports an 850 watts pot heater
• Popcorn machine is easy to use
• Features a heated warming deck
• Has an old-maid drawer

Cons

• Included measuring cups are a bit low in quality
• Has some sharp edges on the tilt-out drop door

Verdict

If you are a popcorn lover, you will love its outlook. It will give a movie theater vibe right in your personal space. Also, it makes it easier to make buttery popcorn will be easier.

3. Great Northern Popcorn Red Matinee Movie Theater

On the hunt for the best commercial popcorn machines that have spot-light warmer? Well, you need to take a look at this offering.

This particular model sports a nostalgic look. Its look will attract those who love popcorn directly to your cart. And people that love popcorn will want more popcorn from this popcorn machine. Want to know why?

It comes with a spot-light warmer that will heat up both the popping popcorn and popped corn inside the tempered glass panels. Also, thanks to the 8-ounce popcorn machine kettle, you will be capable of making a large amount of popcorn.

This commercial-grade popcorn machine even has a handy storage compartment for unpopped kernels. And its outlook will even blend exceptionally well in the game room and other places.

Pros

• Sports a nostalgic design
• Has a built-in warmer light
• Makes popcorn pop fast
• Keeps both popping corn and popped popcorn warm
• Blends well in personal spaces

Cons

• Might offer a plasticky smell in the first few sessions
• Does not have a bright presentation lamp

Verdict

This commercial popcorn popper will make your business a huge hit. Whether it is for movie night theatres or for a concession stand, it will make great popcorns.

4. Nostalgia CCP399

If you were looking for something that will keep your popcorn nice and fresh for a long amount of time, check out what Nostalgia has to offer here.

To start with, it sports a built-in stirring system. It also comes with a 2.5-ounce popcorn machine kettle, which will make it easier to make and serve popcorn. Also, it comes with a coconut oil measuring spoon.

In order to keep the popcorn fresh, it has tempered glass along with a popcorn machine heater. That will keep the popcorn hot for a long time. You will not have to worry about the shelf life that much.

Furthermore, it sports a bright cabinet light. Your guests will be capable of viewing the popcorns as you sever them with the popcorn scoop. Also, it has enough space to conveniently store popcorn kernels.

Pros

• Features a built-in stirring system
• Includes an oil measuring spoon
• Interior makes it easier to scoop popcorn
• Has a heater to keep the popcorn warm
• Sports storage for the popcorn kernels

Cons

• Powder-coated steel exterior is not that scratch-resistant
• Not that easy to clean

Verdict

This popcorn machine is pretty different than average popcorn poppers. It even has proper popcorn glass panels to make it easier for others to view the popping popcorn.

5. Olde Midway Commercial Popcorn

Getting a popcorn scoop and other necessary utensils for a popcorn popper can become a hassle. Well, thankfully, Olde knew that exactly well.

This popcorn machine will come with a measuring cup, popcorn scoop, and a salt shaker. But that’s not all! The stainless steel body of the unit can surely withstand the test of time. Its powder-coated steel will also be long-lasting.

Another thing that makes it a worthy pick for the best commercial popcorn machines is the tempered glass panels. They sit flush with the stainless steel body and will make proper insulation inside.

The commercial popcorn machine also integrates a built-in pot heater and a light warmer. Those two will keep the popcorns fresh and warm for a long amount of time.

Pros

• Comes with popcorn utensils
• Features a stainless steel body
• Boasts a durable body
• Has tempered glass panels
• Sports built-in pot heater

Cons

• Not as large as some other popcorn machines
• Drawer is a bit flimsy

Verdict

It is a proper commercial popcorn machine that bundles with popcorn utensils. Also, its stainless steel body makes it long-lasting and highly durable.

Things to Consider Before Buying

You should keep a couple of factors in your mind before deciding to purchase a commercial popcorn machine. By keeping those in mind, your chances of getting a worthy popcorn machine will increase. So, without further ado, let us get into describing those factors.

Build

Moving around a popcorn machine in a commercial space is not that easy. You can bump into a lot of things. For that reason, we would highly recommend you to opt for a commercial popcorn machine that has a good build quality. Those will withstand the test of time and offer you a long-lasting service.

Main Kettle

Another thing that you need to consider while opting for a commercial popcorn machine is the kettle. First, check the size. If you plan to serve a lot of people, pick the large ones.

In other words, look for the machines that come with eight-ounce or larger kettles. Those will be capable of making a large batch of popcorn in one go. Secondly, consider the heating system. Here, you need to check the rated watts. The higher the wattage is, the faster the heather will be able to heat the kettle.

Glass Panel

It goes without saying that no popcorn cart is complete without tempered glass. It allows you to monitor the popping process while attracting people to the cart. However, you should ensure that the panels are tightly shut, or else the insulation will not be correct inside.

Heating Mechanism

Apart from the panels, consider whether the machine comes with a heating lamp or not. The popped popcorns will not stay fresh and hot for an extended amount of time without that.

Interior Lights

If you are not planning to use the machine in your home, you would want it to have interior lights. Without that, it will be pretty hard to make and serve popcorn. However, do not get the machines that come with low-powered lights. Instead, opt for the units that have bright light inside. That will attract more people.

How We Tested The Best Commercial Popcorn Machine?

Firstly, we have kept all of the critical factors in mind while picking the popcorn machines. And to narrow down the available options, we have prioritized reviews from actual users. The machines that got the most positive feedbacks were the ones we tested.

To scrutinize the promising options, we tried to get hands-on experience with them. If that was not possible, we crosschecked all the reviews we collected with the information provided by manufacturers. Only the ones that stood out made it into our list.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is popcorn a healthy snack?

Popcorn is one of the healthiest snacks around. It contains high fiber and can even lower the risks of diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems.  If you do not use too much butter or caramel on top, it can be your go-to snack when you are on a strict diet.

2. What are the different types of popcorn?

There are basically three different types of popcorn. And it depends on the type of kernel. The first one is white, the second one is small yellow, while the last one is large yellow. Kernels of the white popcorn are usually rice-shaped, while the kernels for the large and small yellow will be pearl-shaped.

3. What is the difference between white popcorn and yellow popcorn?

The color differences occur because of the genetic differences between the endosperm, aleurone, pericarp. Even though there might be a color difference between both the popcorn, there will be little to no difference when it comes to the taste.

4. What oil is best for commercial popcorn machine?

For commercial use, the best type of oil would be coconut oil. It is the oil that most of the major movie theatre is going to use. However, some will even combine canola oil with coconut.

5. How commercial popcorn machine works?

The air popcorn maker will contain a heating element, an enclosed air path, and a fan. All of them will work together to make the kernels pop. While the heating element is on, the fan will blow air to it. That will ensure that the kernels do not burn.

6. Can you use regular popcorn in a commercial popcorn machine?

It will be possible to use regular popcorn and bagged popcorn in these machines. However, to simplify the process, we would recommend going light on the butter. Some of the machines do not work that well when there is too much butter.

7. Can you use real butter in a commercial popcorn machine?

You should rely on real butter to make popcorn. The artificial butter might have chemicals in them, which can make this healthy snack into something unhealthy.

8. Can you add flavor to commercial popcorn machine?

Yes, if you want to spice things up, you need to use flavorings for your popcorn. You can either add the flavorings before popping the popcorns, during the process or after. So, you will have flexibility in this case.

9. What kind of salt do you use for commercial popcorn machine?

Sea salts that have fine ground characteristics would be the optimal pick for popcorn machines. These will have a light grey appearance. They even have the right size, which will let them get into every crevice of the popcorn.

10. How do you make movie theater popcorn with a commercial popcorn machine?

Use a combination of canola oil and coconut. Heat the oil up a bit before putting the kernels in. Also, shake the kettle vigorously during the heating process. After all of the kernels are popped, you would need to add flavorings. You can use Flavacol, which most of the theatre relies on.

11. Is Funtime Palace Popper a good popcorn popper?

It is excellent for making commercial-grade popcorn. However, for the price, you can get much better machines. For that reason, it did not make it to our list.

Final Words

Everyone loves popcorn. However, without using the best commercial popcorn machine, it will be pretty hard to please everyone with the popcorn you will serve to them. And through this article, we hope that we were capable of making it easier for you to choose one.