Kettle-style Popcorn Carts - are they worth it? - Blu-ray Forum

FREYMAX 3D · 08-25-2010, 04:43 PM

I'm trying to find some home theater owners who currently own or previously owned a full-sized Kettle-style popcorn maker/cart. I was considering purchasing one of these for my home theater, since I have guests regularly visiting my theater - but I have all sorts of questions going through my head about whether I would actually get my money's worth out of using one...

SO, do you get a lot of good use out of your popcorn cart, or in reality, are they too much hassle to use, a pain to clean-up, what about any popcorn/oil smell in the room where it is kept (even after cleaning), any other drawbacks or benefits? I'm afraid to sink a lot of money into one and then find out most people who buy one use it a few times, find it's too much work, and get rid of it right away, or just let it sit there unused as an expensive decoration...

kingofgrills · 08-25-2010, 10:44 PM

Kettle machines are very much worth it, and they can add a lot of atmosphere to a home theater room. Check out my gallery, and you can see my machine, which I bought at Costco. I bought mine in the actual store, and it was only available in red. However, they now carry it online, where you can choose between red and black.

They do require some clean up, but for parties or movie nights, they are well worth it. If you decide you don't want to get a full size kettle machine, just get the kettle by buying a Whirley Pop for the stove. The Whirley Pop, which I also have, makes amazing popcorn and clean up is a snap. Plus, the Whirley Pop makes the best tasting popcorn, with the full kettle cart coming in a close second.

teknipper · 08-26-2010, 12:19 AM

I didn't want to invest alot of money either on one and was running out of realestate for it. I went with a hot air popper: the Presto poplite. It stopped the microwave popcorn smell, tastes better, cleans up quickly and takes little footprint.

I know that is a little of subject, but I started down the same path.

Tom

Mr.Poindexter · 08-26-2010, 01:42 AM

I have an 8oz popper in my snack bar. You can see a photo of it in my gallery. It came with a cart but I don't use the cart unless I take the popper downstairs for a BBQ/yard party or something.

I don't use it much but my wife took it to her work and used it quite a bit for her employees. I have it mostly for ambiance for which it works quite well. I have never been a crazy popcorn fiend.

The popcorn from the packs is much better, IMO, than the stuff from the grocery store. The flavoring adds a lot to it.

FREYMAX 3D · 08-26-2010, 02:27 AM

How about the smell - do these popcorn machines cleanup well enough to not give off an odor in the room when not in use? That was one of my biggest concerns, that you may smell the popcorn-oil residue in the room all the time...

Thanks for the input so far!

LordoftheRings · 08-26-2010, 02:57 AM

My own personal take: they are more for the cosmetic's appeal than anything else.
And they should be left outside the home theater room when using them, just like in real Cinema Theaters.

* Microwave ovens work pretty good too...

spunkyinkc · 08-31-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Poindexter

I have an 8oz popper in my snack bar. You can see a photo of it in my gallery. It came with a cart but I don't use the cart unless I take the popper downstairs for a BBQ/yard party or something.

I don't use it much but my wife took it to her work and used it quite a bit for her employees. I have it mostly for ambiance for which it works quite well. I have never been a crazy popcorn fiend.

The popcorn from the packs is much better, IMO, than the stuff from the grocery store. The flavoring adds a lot to it.

It looks like you have a "Great Northern" Foundation popcorn machine. Is that right? I have been looking at them for awhile, and am curious what you think about the build quality. I have read other reviews, but would be interested in your opinion based on the quality of your home theater.

Mr.Poindexter · 08-31-2010, 09:48 PM

I don't recall the original manufacturer, but I can probably look it up for you when I get home tonight. The build quality is decent. Certainly it does not have the feel of a toy, although it does not feel like a fully commercial unit either. I think a slightly larger tray for catching the grannies would have been better but that really is nit picking.

The cart does not seem like it is a rugged unit and is mostly for show - I don't think anybody could imagine wheeling the thing around other than moving it into the back yard then back into the house for parties. The large wheels are nice, but the short distance from front to back makes for a top heavy unit.

Overall, I am satisfied with the unit. I am not "OMG!" crazy for it, but I have no complaints or regrets on it.

Ford · 06-10-2011, 09:26 PM

I recommend getting a Nordicware microwave popper. I picked one up at Target for about $15 a few years back and use it all the time. It gives you the taste of popcorn you fix on the stove, but without any of the hassle. Add a little of the Reddenbacher popcorn oil/topping and it's better than what you get in the theater.

08-25-2010, 04:43 PM	#1
FREYMAX 3D Banned Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Aug 2010 Home Theater Gallery:34 Blu-ray collection:584 DVD collection:33 Trading Score:9	Kettle-style Popcorn Carts - are they worth it? I'm trying to find some home theater owners who currently own or previously owned a full-sized Kettle-style popcorn maker/cart. I was considering purchasing one of these for my home theater, since I have guests regularly visiting my theater - but I have all sorts of questions going through my head about whether I would actually get my money's worth out of using one... SO, do you get a lot of good use out of your popcorn cart, or in reality, are they too much hassle to use, a pain to clean-up, what about any popcorn/oil smell in the room where it is kept (even after cleaning), any other drawbacks or benefits? I'm afraid to sink a lot of money into one and then find out most people who buy one use it a few times, find it's too much work, and get rid of it right away, or just let it sit there unused as an expensive decoration...

08-26-2010, 02:57 AM	#6
LordoftheRings Special Member Top contributor Member since:Mar 2010 Location:Portishead ♫	My own personal take: they are more for the cosmetic's appeal than anything else. And they should be left outside the home theater room when using them, just like in real Cinema Theaters. * Microwave ovens work pretty good too... Last edited by LordoftheRings; 08-26-2010 at 03:01 AM. Reason: popcorn

08-25-2010, 10:44 PM	#2
kingofgrills Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Dec 2007 Location:PDX Home Theater Gallery:31 4K collection:5 Blu-ray collection:81 Trading Score:31	Kettle machines are very much worth it, and they can add a lot of atmosphere to a home theater room. Check out my gallery, and you can see my machine, which I bought at Costco. I bought mine in the actual store, and it was only available in red. However, they now carry it online, where you can choose between red and black. They do require some clean up, but for parties or movie nights, they are well worth it. If you decide you don't want to get a full size kettle machine, just get the kettle by buying a Whirley Pop for the stove. The Whirley Pop, which I also have, makes amazing popcorn and clean up is a snap. Plus, the Whirley Pop makes the best tasting popcorn, with the full kettle cart coming in a close second.

08-26-2010, 12:19 AM	#3
teknipper Senior Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jun 2010 Location:Wilder, KY Home Theater Gallery:49 Blu-ray collection:105 Blu-ray reviews: 6	I didn't want to invest alot of money either on one and was running out of realestate for it. I went with a hot air popper: the Presto poplite. It stopped the microwave popcorn smell, tastes better, cleans up quickly and takes little footprint. I know that is a little of subject, but I started down the same path. Tom

08-26-2010, 01:42 AM	#4
Mr.Poindexter Senior Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2010 Home Theater Gallery:29 Trading Score:1	I have an 8oz popper in my snack bar. You can see a photo of it in my gallery. It came with a cart but I don't use the cart unless I take the popper downstairs for a BBQ/yard party or something. I don't use it much but my wife took it to her work and used it quite a bit for her employees. I have it mostly for ambiance for which it works quite well. I have never been a crazy popcorn fiend. The popcorn from the packs is much better, IMO, than the stuff from the grocery store. The flavoring adds a lot to it.

08-26-2010, 02:27 AM	#5
FREYMAX 3D Banned Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Aug 2010 Home Theater Gallery:34 Blu-ray collection:584 DVD collection:33 Trading Score:9	How about the smell - do these popcorn machines cleanup well enough to not give off an odor in the room when not in use? That was one of my biggest concerns, that you may smell the popcorn-oil residue in the room all the time... Thanks for the input so far!

08-31-2010, 09:48 PM	#8
Mr.Poindexter Senior Member Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2010 Home Theater Gallery:29 Trading Score:1	I don't recall the original manufacturer, but I can probably look it up for you when I get home tonight. The build quality is decent. Certainly it does not have the feel of a toy, although it does not feel like a fully commercial unit either. I think a slightly larger tray for catching the grannies would have been better but that really is nit picking. The cart does not seem like it is a rugged unit and is mostly for show - I don't think anybody could imagine wheeling the thing around other than moving it into the back yard then back into the house for parties. The large wheels are nice, but the short distance from front to back makes for a top heavy unit. Overall, I am satisfied with the unit. I am not "OMG!" crazy for it, but I have no complaints or regrets on it.

06-10-2011, 09:26 PM	#9
Ford Active Member Member since:Oct 2009 Location:In self-banned land	I recommend getting a Nordicware microwave popper. I picked one up at Target for about $15 a few years back and use it all the time. It gives you the taste of popcorn you fix on the stove, but without any of the hassle. Add a little of the Reddenbacher popcorn oil/topping and it's better than what you get in the theater.

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