Popcorn machines

[dukenukem]

I am thinking of buying a popcorn machine like the ones in the theateres,but are they easy to maintain and clean after being used?

[Brain Sturgeon]

From what i've read, it's not particularly hard to clean them. In general, you just remove the unused popcorn/unpopped kernels (a Shop Vac works well), wipe down the inside with either hot water or glass cleaner, and then clean the kettle with either hot water or some various commercially available cleaners. Some of the poppers have a removable kettle (Paragon poppers for sure) that make cleaning easier.

The general consensus is that it is not particularly hard and that it's definitely worth it if you are a popcorn fan.

Let me know what you think if you end up getting one. I'm thinking of possibly springing for one soon as well.

[ground chuck]

got one as a rental for a birthday party. SIMPLE and tasty.

[Lucy Diamond]

I think the industrial ones are stainless steel inside. If that is the case, then it will be simple to clean.

[jasontkelley1746]

I have a used one if you are interested.

[dred]

I had a small tabletop unit that was nearly impossible to keep clean. I do not recommend the small ones. Sams Club has a good sized stand alone popper for $200 that i think i'm going to pick up.

[meckel]

Originally Posted by Brain Sturgeon

From what i've read, it's not particularly hard to clean them. In general, you just remove the unused popcorn/unpopped kernels (a Shop Vac works well), wipe down the inside with either hot water or glass cleaner, and then clean the kettle with either hot water or some various commercially available cleaners. Some of the poppers have a removable kettle (Paragon poppers for sure) that make cleaning easier.

The general consensus is that it is not particularly hard and that it's definitely worth it if you are a popcorn fan.

Let me know what you think if you end up getting one. I'm thinking of possibly springing for one soon as well.

You are right on, they are very easy to clean. I would recommend getting one with an unpopped kernel tray it makes it a little easier to clean. I love mine 4oz. Theater Pop

https://www.snappypopcorn.com/produc...per-51p163.htm

They also make pre-packed popcorn kits, with the oil, salt & popcorn all pre-measured for your size popper. This makes clean up even easier

[sticks4legs]

The one thing I would warn you about it the oil residue, and smell that they do give off. I have seen first hand, and also read about people that notice a small amount of residue on their walls and room etc that has the popper in it. Also, if you burn it, it does tend to smoke up the room.
Do You have a front projector?

I wasn't to big on having this residue on my screen, and have been looking for alternate solutions, people have found sucess putting bathroom/vent fans near the machine with good results

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Brain Sturgeon

Let me know what you think if you end up getting one. I'm thinking of possibly springing for one soon as well.

I'm guessing with your set up, and that of the OP's, it's a bad idea..... if you have a dedicated theater ROOM, maybe, but although Brain's setup is elaborate, it seems to be in an area that opens up into the other common living space of the house, and I just don't think the smell would be desireable throughout the rest of the house.....

OP, you posted a pic in another thread, and it's your living room... so again... smell would probably be an issue.

Even if the smell "isn't that bad" it's one of those smells (like smoke) that just stays around.... As much as I'd like to get a deep-fryer to make tasty treats, the wife would never let me....

We use a "stir-Crazy" popcorn machine, and even that, we intentially put on the stove, under the Gas-Range's Fume-Hood, to keep the smell to a minimum.


Just a thought I guess.

[Brain Sturgeon]

For me, the smell issue shouldn't be a big deal. The lower level is pretty well separated from the remainder of the house, and I don't think the popcorn smell will bother anyone anyway, since it is fairly pleasant as smells go. It also does impart a bit of a theater atmosphere. If the smell is bothersome, I may think about a venting system.

I asked some owners and dealers regarding this issue, and they generally felt that the smell and oil/smoke residue is an overblown issue. Ken Lerch (HT dealer) of www.stargatecinema.com swears that its not a problem, even in theater rooms that have a front projection system. He runs his quite regularly near his front projector system and has never had a problem. A number of popcorn machine owners have echoed his experience.

I'm not expecting to use it a lot anyway as I don't generally eat popcorn when I go to movies (my wife does). Part of me getting it would be for decor. However, if the thing can make some decent kettle corn or caramel corn, I may be using it a bit more frequently.

Actually, what I really want is a hot dog roller grill. Being raised in Chicago, I miss a decent dog now and then.

[kingofgrills]

I've got a full sized popcorn machine in my home theater room, and the family and friends love it. It's stainless steel inside, and it's fairly easy to keep clean. There's popcorn machine cleaners you can buy to help make cleanup easy too. If you want a full-sized cart version, I would suggest checking out Costco. I bought mine there for just $269, and that's a screaming deal for full-sized 8 oz kettle (most are 4 oz) machine with cart. It's available in either red or black, and it does a great job.

Here it is:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...=1&topnav=&s=1

Plus, you can find a lot of specialty popcorn accessories, at a number of home theater store web sites, such as buckets, cleaning products, etc. My favorite shop for popcorn supplies and home theater decor is probably Stargate Cinema. Here's their popcorn accessory page:

http://www.stargatecinema.com/Popcorn-Supplies-c-3.html

[Beta Man]

That link has talked me into a popcorn machine!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man.... I'm at work with my mouth watering!!!

[meckel]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

Plus, you can find a lot of specialty popcorn accessories, at a number of home theater store web sites, such as buckets, cleaning products, etc. My favorite shop for popcorn supplies and home theater decor is probably Stargate Cinema. Here's their popcorn accessory page:

http://www.stargatecinema.com/Popcorn-Supplies-c-3.html

Kingofgrills,

Do you order your popcorn from them? If so how is their popcorn and how is there shipping. I see it is free. I have been using Snappypop for most of my supplies there pricing per pack for corn is really good and I like their popcorn (like $.65 per bag including shipping) but they charge shipping. I don't mind so much on the popcorn 'cause like I said above the price per pack is good even with the shipping.
I like to get the popcorn bags as well and I hate paying shipping.

thanks
mike

[meckel]

Originally Posted by Brain Sturgeon

I'm not expecting to use it a lot anyway as I don't generally eat popcorn when I go to movies (my wife does). Part of me getting it would be for decor. However, if the thing can make some decent kettle corn or caramel corn, I may be using it a bit more frequently.

Actually, what I really want is a hot dog roller grill. Being raised in Chicago, I miss a decent dog now and then.

I have seen some kits and glaze for kettle corn and caramel corn, not sure how good they work. My wife wants me to order the Kettle corn glaze to try for her.