Popcorn industry has been thriving for decades now. Who can’t resist popcorn, anyway? It has been part of our many different occasions and even just simple events. Movie watching has never been the same since popcorn came to be. Watching games and sports outdoors has always been fun and exciting with a bag of popcorn to munch on. It’s also one of the most popular snacks during school fundraising and other business-related endeavors. Literally, everybody loves popcorn!
When we think of must-have appliances at home, popcorn makers are probably a member of our checklist. Popcorn machines are perfect for any occasion, be it family gatherings, parties, or sports events. It is advantageous to own one because popcorn is one of the snacks that is well-loved by many due to its tastiness and ease in preparation. Freshly popped corn always tastes a lot better, and you can make as much as you want using your popcorn maker at home. It’s perfect for parties, watching movies, fundraising, or even just for day to day fun snacking.
If you are considering to buy a popcorn machine, it is suggested that you do a comparison of the well-known popcorn machine brands out in the market. Nowadays, purchasing a popcorn maker may require you to do a little research on their features for the sake that you end up with a product that is suitable for you and your lifestyle. Checking the diagram of the items you are reviewing will also help satisfy your specifications, as most products sold online would only show pictures of the assembled product. Popcorn machines come in different shapes and sizes, gears, and premium features. Do you go for a bulky one or space-saving machine? It’s up to you. It is also important that you order only from the authorized manufacturers and resellers of the product to avoid encountering problems with warranty in the future.
To help you pick a popcorn machine that would suit your style and needs, here’s a comparison of five popcorn machine brands. There follows the pros and cons of each product, which are mostly based on customer reviews. Below is a comparison chart and also the images of each item.
Great Northern Popcorn Red Matinee Machine
Great Northern Corporation continues to improve their service by manufacturing quality appliances and cookware. With their company tagline. “To help our customers win by doing what others can’t or won’t.”, they surely prove to be one of the best companies that produce good popcorn machines.
This popper they call “MovieMatinee” is made of pure tempered glass, with 3 control switches, built-in warmer light, reject kernel tray, spotlight warmer, stirrer, and pot heater. It also comes with popcorn scoop and oil scoops. It’s easy to clean and makes 2-3 gallons of popcorn every batch. To better serve customers, it is now made of thicker glass–40% thicker than their competitors–and premium-grade steel. They also ensure safe delivery by using double wall stock. What adds to its awesomeness is its 5-year warranty on the machine and a 30 day limited warranty on all consumable parts including kettles and light bulbs.
PROS:
- 3-position control switch
- Tempered glass
- Thicker glass
- Safer packing
- 5-year warranty
- Easy to assemble
CONS:
- Pricey
- Cart not included
Paragon Contempo Popcorn Machine
This popcorn machine by Paragon has a contemporary look suitable for both for home and commercial use. Made of commercial quality steel, it also has a stainless steel foodzone and tempered glass panels, accompanied by modern graphics on its black cabinet. It is designed with innovative controls that are easy to operate. Popcorn is easy to unload because of its spring-assisted kettle. It also keeps the popcorn warm with its built-in aerated warming deck. It comes with a popcorn scoop. It also has a matching cart that can be bought separately.
With all its premium features, it’s not a surprise that this machine is quite expensive compared to other popcorn makers out in the market. If you want to spend a couple of dollars for a quality popcorn maker that lasts, then this is the one for you. As what the company claims, Paragon is the home of the best popcorn machines that produce delicious, theater-quality popcorn. They are known for their anodized aluminum kettle and sturdy cabinet construction.
PROS:
- Withstands heavy commercial use because of its sturdy construction
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- Commercial quality
- 1 year warranty
CONS:
- Heavy and bulky
- Manufacturing assembly is unsatisfactory
- Pricey
Olde Midway Vintage Style Popcorn Machine
This Olde Midway movie-theatre style popcorn maker gives you the old-fashioned feels. With its antique-style heavy-duty cart, it brings you the classy ambiance, be it in your home, school, carnival, or varsity games. It has the capacity of 3 gallons per batch, fit for a crowd of popcorn lovers. With its motor that’s as quiet as a whisper, this antique-style popcorn machine is surely built to last. It’s easy to clean and transport, and very spacious. It’s old-fashioned design brings back the vibes of enjoying freshly popped corn while watching an outdoor game.
With this kind of structure, it surely will consume floor space, so better have a room enough to welcome this precious popcorn maker. As the company’s tagline says, Olde Midway produces high-quality concession stand products, so you know you are investing on the right brand.
PROS:
- Whisper-quiet motor
- Bicycle-style, ball-bearing wheels for smooth mobility and easy portability
- Ample storage space
- 3-switch design
- Easy to clean
CONS
- Space-consuming
- Fit and finish unsatisfactory
- Sturdy
Nostalgia Vintage Popcorn Cart
Vintage is indeed a thing in popcorn machine designs! Here is another antique-looking machine that features a 6-ounce kettle that accommodates up to 24 cups of popcorn. It has a compartment for all the popcorn essentials as well. The top can be removed from the base to save space. It’s a classic popcorn maker that can just sit prettily on your tabletop. It’s also cheaper than other brands. It has wheels for easy mobility, giving you the feeling of being in a movie theatre. Its cart is also detachable so you can just simply put this popcorn maker on a flat surface in your kitchen.
The thing is, the windows and door are made of plastic, so if you are looking for something more durable, then you might as well look for something that is made of steel and glass. The bowl is also small so you would need a couple of popcorn making sessions since it can accommodate not that much. With the wheels attached, it will surely consume space.
PROS:
- Easy mobility
- Can be converted to tabletop
CONS:
- Consumes floor space with the wheels
- Poor customer service reviews
- Gears not properly attached during shipment
- Bowl is too small
West Bend Hot Oil Theater Style Popcorn Machine
With years of manufacturing cookware and other appliances, West Bend Company continues to improve their production.This attractive popcorn cabinet is operated with stir rod technology that gives a larger yield of popcorn. Popping kettle is non-stick and cabinet is easy to clean. It also saves space as it can be put on top of a table. It has a tilt door that allows easy serving of freshly popped corn and comes with a measuring cup or spoon. However, some reviews say that what it claims to be a removable kettle is not removable at all. The cabinet itself is made of plastic. There are other West Bend popcorn makers that is not made of plastic but expect it will cost more than this one. If you want to go for cheaper cost but quality in performance, then this machine is the perfect one for you.
PROS:
- Space-saving
- Easy to clean
- No preheating required
- Tilt door for easy serving
CONS:
- Kernel tray is not removable.
- Made of plastic
Great Northern Popcorn machine would be the best choice. It is a bit pricey but you will be satisfied with its quality. It is made of pure tempered glass, 40% thicker glass, and premium-grade steel. It can also cater large groups with its capacity to produce 2-3 gallons of popcorn every batch. A machine that is worth your penny plus it offers a five-year warranty period. But if your budget is limited, West Bend popcorn machine is the best option.
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API