*2oz Popcorn Machine = Use 2 ounces (1/4 CUP) kernels + 1/2 ounce (1 Tablespoon) Oil

4oz Popcorn Machine = Use 4 ounces (1/2 CUP) kernels + 1 ounce (2 Tablespoons) Oil

6oz Popcorn Machine = Use 6 ounces (3/4 CUP) kernels + 2 ounce (4 Tablespoons) Oil

8oz Popcorn Machine = Use 8 ounces (1 CUP) kernels + 2 ounce (4 Tablespoons) Oil

12oz Popcorn Machine = Use 12 ounces (1-1/2 CUP) kernels + 3 ounce (6 Tablespoons) Oil

16oz Popcorn Machine = Use 16 ounces (2 CUP) kernels + 4 ounce (8 Tablespoons) Oil

*The size you need is entirely dependent upon the amount of people you feed on a regular basis. Remember that the “ounce amount” relates directly to how many ounces of popcorn can be produced in one batch. For small families or small groups of guests, the four-ounce popper may be perfect for you. If you entertain large groups, or have a big family, you may want to buy the six- or eight-ounce popper to avoid making multiple batches all the time. Just keep in mind that even if you have a larger popper, you can make smaller batches on occasion with smaller amounts of corn, oil and salt. Also, take note that four-ounce machines generally do not have warming trays because there is usually no popped corn left over in the machine.

Everywhere this summer, concessioners will be selling these quintessential fun foods.

However, these concession foods shouldn’t be limited to just theaters, outdoor events and amusement parks. Consider that many other retail establishments can benefit from offering fun foods.

In fact, many others have found that fun foods can ramp up retail sales in other areas, while also pulling in the general public.

Car dealers know what it means to feature popcorn day every so often in their showroom, while store owners pull in customers with their weekend family events featuring fun foods.

When you invest a little every so often in events featuring food and drink, you make your business part of the larger community. That’s a bold statement, but it’s true. Sure, buying, or renting concession equipment can incur a cost initially, but down the line it pays off. When
customers spend more time around, you get to know them so much better. What’s more, you make a lasting impression! What better way to entice the public than with fun summertime foods!

Until next time, enjoy the warmer weather!

Beyond that, it’s the amount of popcorn produced, warranty, and brand that counts. Still, the little features like an old-maid tray, warming light, or heat deck help to steer our decision.

But the kettle is equally important when deciding which popper to purchase. The kettle is really the heart of any popcorn popper. Aside from the operator, it’s the one thing that does all the work.

Popcorn kettles for non-commercial (4, 6, 8, 12 ounce) poppers can be split into two categories: stainless steel, or hard-coat anodized aluminum. Manufacturers believe in one or the other.

So what’s the better choice?

Some argue that stainless steel kettles can last years longer than aluminum kettles. Yet, as we find with our everyday stovetop pots and pans, aluminum simply heats up quicker than our stainless steel cookware. In the popcorn machine world this is called improved “heat transfer”. Additionally, aluminum kettles tend to make that everyday cleaning easy. This is due to its relatively smooth and non-porous surface.  If you’re in the concession business, quick clean-up and quick output is a must.

On the other hand, we cannot deny the lasting power and durability of stainless steel. Used in the construction of cars, planes and buildings. Even the pinnacle of New York City’s Chrysler Building is constructed of stainless steel! Surpassing the height of the Empire State Building, it’s a wonder why King Kong didn’t climb it.

Conclusion:

It’s really best to consider the positive features of both types of kettles and make your decision based on what you really like. Also, read what people are saying online about each type. These are just a few more things to think about, so choose your kettle wisely.

The Wabash Farms Whirley Pop Stovetop Popper is based on old-fashioned crank -style poppers. It’s the kind of popper that brings back memories for many of us. With its silver finish and hand operated crank, it’s a classic looking popcorn popper. Moreover, it’s ultra-lightweight and small enough to store in any size kitchen, pantry, or anywhere else! View it here: http://www.ht-express.com/catalog/catalog_detail.asp?CID=100&CI=394&PI=16159

Sure, a popcorn popper with electronic heat controls, auto shutoff and motorized kettle can make life easier, these features are not necessary for everyone.  The Whirley Pop Stovetop Popper is a manual popper that’s essentially free of all the bells and whistles of conventional popcorn poppers. This popper is made of a lightweight, heat-conducting aluminum which makes popping quite fast (about 5 minutes). Its snap on lid is vented and can be partially or fully removed when the popping cycle has been completed. This is important since opening the lid helps release moisture in the popcorn.

This great aluminum stovetop popcorn maker produces six quarts of theater-style popcorn – plenty for a family of four! It has a snap tight lid with steam vents that helps keep popcorn crispy and flavorful. Its hand crank stirring system ensures most every kernel is popped, while the wooden handle and crank stay cool while popping. With a 25 year warranty, it’s a great value!

1)    Start with fresh popcorn. As a general rule, popcorn keeps fresh for two years beyond the date it is manufactured.

2)    When you’re ready to start the popper, keep its door(s) slightly ajar. The steam and moisture produced while popping MUST be able to escape. Top vented poppers provide the best result, but keeping those doors slightly ajar while popping will work as well. When the popping cycle is complete, open the doors WIDE. Then wait a few minutes for excess moisture to escape before serving. Even making batches a couple of days ahead helps things too. This process helps to dry out any remaining moisture in the popcorn. If you using a traditional stovetop popper, be sure to leave a crack between the pot and lid to get the same results.

3)    Lastly, try cutting down on the oil used. The standard amount to use is 2 ounces of oil per ¼ cup kernels of popcorn. Some have been able to solve the chewiness problem by simply reducing the amount of oil from 2 ounces to 1 ounce per ¼ cup kernels. Of course, reducing the oil should be approached with some caution since no two poppers perform the same way. Watch the first few batches to make sure that the popcorn doesn’t burn from too little oil.

Following one or more of these tips will almost always solve the chewy popcorn problem.

Under $10

Fun Time Popcorn Bowl

12oz. Popcorn Tree

Red & White Small Ceramic Bowl

4oz Colored Popcorn Kernels

Movie Night DVD Holder

Under $15

Individual Ceramic Bowl

Popcorn Pot

Kettle & Hot Air Popcorn Kit

Movie Ticket Small Bowl

Air Tight Popcorn Canister

Under $20

Movie Ticket Large Bowl

Whacky Snack Bowl

Karla Large Popcorn Bowl

3-D Popcorn Bowl

Wild Fling Ultimate Bowl

Under $25

Retro Mini Hot Air Popper

Authentic Clapboard

WondaWedge

Medium Ceramic Bowl

Red Whirley Stovetop Popper

Under $40

Whirley Popper Gift Set

6-Quart Theater Popcorn Maker

BackJack Folding Chair

Old Fashioned Ice Cream Maker

Hot Air Popcorn Popper

Under $50

Stainless Steel Sweet & Easy Machine

Old Fashioned Carnival Snowcone Maker

Retro Cotton Candy Maker

6oz. Popcorn Gift Basket

Studio Accent Projector Desk Lamp

Under $100

FlipUp Poster Frame

Retro Kettle Popcorn Maker

2oz. Kettle Popcorn Machine

Goldberg Reel

Popcorn salt is a lighter and finer “flake” salt, made by the Alberger Process.

Information on this process can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberger_process

Not only does this finer salt stick to popcorn, the flavor is more refined than ordinary table salt. In fact, during the Alberger Process, trace minerals which typically lead to a bitter taste, are subsequently removed from the salt.

Gold Medal, leaders in concession supplies, makes perhaps the very best popcorn salt anywhere, aptly named Flavacol. This salt is known for its distinct flavor and worldwide popularity. Theaters everywhere have relied on Flavacol Salt for that unmistakable theater-taste.

Home Theater Express offers several varieties of Flavacol Salt to choose from. Each with its own unique flavor: Original, Premier and Butter Buttery! See them here: http://www.ht-express.com/catalog/catalog.asp?CID=100&CI=345

If popcorn is your business…or pleasure, Flavacol Salt is the way to go!

Like most other high fiber foods, popcorn can get stale if exposed to air or moisture during storage. Some will even discard the stale popcorn, but this isn’t necessary. In fact, with very little effort at all, you can freshen up stale tasting popcorn.

There’s really no argument on how this is done. Simply, oven-baking the popcorn will do the trick. So the question arises: How long do I bake?

Answer: It’s best to start out at a low temperature and bake the popcorn for a short time. Here’s how:

1. Preheat oven to 250 F.
2. Spread the popcorn out evenly of a baking pan, or cookie sheet. 
3. When the oven reaches its temperature, gently place the tray in the oven. 
4. Bake for 10 minutes then remove the tray from the oven. Remember: wear oven mitts! THE TRAY WILL BE HOT! 
5. Allow the popcorn to sit for a couple of minutes on the stovetop.
6. Transport the popcorn to bowls, bags, or tubs.
7. Dig in!

That should do the trick, but if you should find that the popcorn is still stale, bake for another 5 minutes at the same temperature of 250 F – exceeding 5 minutes may result in burning.

This trick will work great for pretzels, cookies, and crackers too!

**Children should ever operate kitchen appliances without adult supervision – especially an oven!

Say NO to stale popcorn forever!

What’s worse than biting down on an unpopped kernel of corn? Ouch!

For the owner of a popcorn machine, perhaps the #1 problem is the kernel that never pops. The operator might believe that the popper is defective – a bad heating element within the kettle. In most cases, a defective kettle is not the problem.

To ensure the best results with a popper, one should always start with fresh popcorn and a very hot kettle.

Over time, popcorn kernels tend to lose moisture – the factor which allows a kernel of corn to pop. Fresh kernels, however, have the necessary moisture needed.

In general “fresh” popcorn means it’s less than 2 or 3 years old, so it’s important to look at the expiration date on the packaging.

Also, make sure you store your popcorn in a moisture-free environment with a room temperature that never exceeds 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Moreover, the general start-up heating time for a popcorn kettle is about 3 to 5 minutes. These recommendations will vary with each brand of popper. If your first batch results in too many unpopped kernels, the second batch should yield better results since the kettle is thoroughly heated by this time.

If after several attempts, you still have 1/3 or more unpopped kernels remaining after popping, consider the amount of oil you’re using.

Here’s a guide –

• *4oz popcorn popper/use 1oz to 1.5oz oil each popping cycle (1oz is equivalent to half a liquid tablespoon)
• 6oz popcorn popper/use 1.5 to 2oz oil each popping cycle
• 8oz popcorn popper/use 2oz to 2.5oz oil each popping cycle
• 12oz or 14oz popcorn popper/use 3.8 to 4oz oil each popping cycle

*The industry standard for the absolute amount (capacity) a popper will produce per popping cycle.

Also, remember that coconut, corn, or canola oil is recommended for all poppers. *The exception is air poppers.

Hopefully this bit of information will save you in the long term. Remember, popping popcorn is a fun, family event. Have fun and happy popping!

The concept behind making cotton candy isn’t rocket science. In fact, cotton candy floss is nothing more than granulated sugar that’s colored and flavored. It comes in a variety of flavors such as: strawberry, blueberry, banana, cherry, lime, bubble gum, and pina colada, plus many more! Among the most popular is pink vanilla. That’s the one most everyone associates with cotton candy color, taste and smell. If you have the luxury of owning two or more cotton candy makers, you may even mix up different flavors to make a two or three-colored combination.

While it’s possible to make this confectionary delight at home with things you find in the kitchen, this can get a little messy.

Cotton candy machines make the experience much easier by using a heated spinner head that forces melting sugar through tiny holes – a job you would do by the tiresome task of hand whisking otherwise. Cotton candy machines rely on centrifugal force to press the melted sugar through the holes and into a large bowl called a floss pan. In this process, the sugar amazingly transforms into a fluffy sugar that builds up on the inside wall of the bowl. When enough of the fluff accumulates, it’s time to twirl a floss stick around the inside of the bowl. In seconds, you have that classic treat!

Cotton candy makers come in two basic classes: entry-level, suitable for home use, as well as commercial-level. Prices typically start at around $50 for an entry level machine, while commercial-level machines generally start at around $1000.

Entry Level Cotton Candy Makers:

Within the entry-level category you have a rather wide range of machines and prices – some priced up towards $500.

So why such a large price range for an entry-level cotton candy machine?

It really comes down to motor capability and output per minute. Lower priced machines (between $50 and $100), may produce smaller and fewer servings per minute (generally 1 or 2 servings per minute).  This is adequate for the occasional treat for kids and grandkids. Whereas, higher priced entry-level machines might include features like a heavy duty motor and cool-running heat controls. These machines often produce 2 to 4 larger servings per minute. Higher end entry-level machines (between $250 and $500) are fantastic for home use, particularly if you’re having a party or event. *However, these machines generally are not adequate for commercial use.

Professional (Commercial-Level) Cotton Candy Makers:

Do you have a concession business? Looking a machine that will produce 6 to 8 jumbo servings of cotton candy per minute, or, a machine you can run for hours on end? Commercial machines will do the job. These machines typically have a high performance spinning head that will hold more sugar, while the high horsepower/RPM motor is suspension mounted for smooth and quiet operation. In addition, many pro-level machines feature voltage meters and precise controls, ensuring consistent power throughout operation.

*Always consult machine manufacturers or an authorized dealer to determine what machine is the best for you.

No matter what level cotton candy maker you need, always look for the best components possible – a stainless steel control cabinet and steel, or aluminum floss pan.

Another good thing to have is a floss bubble – a dome shaped top for the machine. This important accessory will keep any flying floss at bay. Most high-end machines and some entry-level machines are designed to work with a floss bubble.

Cotton candy is downright fun to make, while spectators love to see it being produced. Those in the concession business, it means substantial profits. For those making it at home, it’s a special feature at any party or event.

Consider cotton candy for your next event!