In recent decades, a product such as popcorn has firmly entered the lives of our compatriots and persistently continues to gain popularity.
In this regard, the business associated with its production and sale is a stable and profitable business.
Making popcorn is not difficult and does not require large financial investments. You can earn quite a lot of money on it. Today we invite you to learn how to organize your own popcorn production.
Popcorn production equipment
The main component of your business will certainly be a puffed corn machine. Such devices are divided into three categories:
- Designed to hold 6-8 oz. They are used in the preparation of these products on the streets, in parks, in entertainment complexes and small cinemas.
- Designed to hold 12-16 oz. Such devices, as a rule, are installed in places where there are large crowds of people with active sales of your products: cinema bars, large shopping and entertainment complexes, etc. In addition, such units are sometimes used in small production workshops.
- Rated to produce over 20 oz. Equipment in this category is capable of producing 20 or more kilograms of finished products per hour. It is mainly used for production on an industrial scale.
If you are planning to open a small popcorn shop, then a 6-8 ounce popcorn machine is the right choice for you.
How to choose the right equipment and how to care for it
In order to always receive a high-quality finished product and extend the life of the device, you will only need to follow a few rules for caring for it:
- do not increase, but also do not decrease the norms of supplied raw materials;
- Before the first frying, warm up the boiler for 5-7 minutes;
- do not leave the machine turned on unless ingredients are loaded into it;
- without delay, put grains into the cauldron between fryings, and also wipe it every time;
- Do not use abrasive materials that can scratch the surface to clean the boiler.
When choosing a machine, it is necessary to take into account the volume of the boiler, the presence of a ventilation device in the device to avoid possible problems with the sanitary and epidemiological station, as well as the manufacturer.
Corn grains
Ordinary corn is not suitable for these purposes - we will need special varieties grown in special conditions and in a suitable climate.
Depending on the opening rate, the grains are divided into types such as “butterfly” and “caramel”.
First grade grains open in the form of voluminous torn flakes and are the most common raw material in the production of puffed corn. In particular, they are used to produce salty and sweet popcorn coated with glaze.
Caramel grains open in the form of flakes with a dense mushroom-shaped surface. As the name suggests, they are used to make a caramelized product.
Vitek Winx 1301
This device was created specifically for children and has a bright, fantasy design. The popcorn maker will prepare one small portion of treats in 3 minutes. There is no need to use oil; cooking takes place using hot air. The device comes with a measuring spoon, a removable lid and a book with recipes for little gourmets. Users note that the device’s cord is somewhat short, which is not very convenient to use.
Coconut oil for popcorn
In general, you can use any type of refined vegetable oil to make popcorn. However, yellow coconut oil is best. The production of popcorn based on this product has the following advantages: the finished product has a pleasant nutty aroma and a sweetish taste, is not bitter, and the unpleasant smell from burnt oil will not be as strong as when using other raw materials. When purchasing coconut oil, be sure to ensure that you are purchasing a natural product and not a fake one. To do this, do not hesitate to ask the seller for a certificate of conformity.
Popcorn machine manufacturers
The production facilities of the main suppliers of popcorn machines are located in China, but this in no way reduces the quality of the equipment. Manufacturers such as Starfood, Gastrorag, Vitek or Gemlux are widely known. Supplies popcorn to the domestic market.
If you need to choose a good popcorn maker, reviews will be important and you should definitely pay attention to them before purchasing. Finding information about what users think about the competitive model is not difficult.
Flavoring additives
To offer your customers a wider range of products, it is necessary to use various flavoring additives in the production of popcorn. So, as a rule, salted, sweet glazed and sweet caramelized popcorn are available for sale. In the process of making salted popcorn, appropriate savory additives are used, which can have different flavors (cheese, mushrooms, bacon, paprika, etc.).
Preparing glazed popcorn involves using a special glaze, which can vary in both taste and color. To make caramelized popcorn, caramelization mixtures are used.
Puffed corn cups
Paper cups for popcorn are rightfully considered the most popular and widespread type of packaging for this product due to the following advantages:
— for the production of such containers, grease-resistant cardboard is used;
— this packaging is environmentally friendly;
— glasses are very convenient to use for both the seller and the buyer;
— this packaging is brightly colored and serves to additionally attract the attention of customers.
Boxes for popcorn
There is another type of packaging for popcorn, which is cardboard boxes. Despite the fact that they have an attractive appearance, it is better not to use them for two reasons:
— the design of such containers implies the presence of cracks through which flavoring additives and crumbs can spill out, which is unlikely to please customers;
— when unfolding, the box often, as they say, “plays” in the hands of both the seller and the buyer, which causes certain inconvenience.
Popcorn machine - fast and reliable
My child and I love popcorn. I love to eat hot popcorn while watching movies, and my child even just like that. Previously, to save time, we bought popcorn, which is easy and quick to cook in the microwave. But after I opened the package once and saw a bunch of incomprehensible fat and various spices, the question of alternative preparation suddenly arose. This is where the Chinese market came to the rescue, where I purchased such a car. Now all you need to buy corn by weight is quite easy to find in large supermarkets. Turn on the popcorn popper, wait 2 minutes and a full bowl of hot popcorn is ready.
For more detailed information I invite you further...
Characteristics
- No oil consumption, uses hot air, faster than microwave oven.
- Rated voltage: 110/220V
- Rated frequency: 50/60Hz
- Maximum power: 1200 W
- Package Contents: 1 * Popcorn Machine, 1 * Manual
Packaging and equipment
After 2 weeks, a Nova Poshta courier brought me a pimply bag with rather wrinkled contents.
Inside was a cardboard packaging box with the HomCom brand.
Inside of which there is another one, though more beautiful, and at the same time, more crumpled. As far as one can judge from the packaging, this product is often advertised in all sorts of TV shops and other “couch shops.”
You shouldn’t expect any special “bright” configuration. Only 4 items including instructions.
The instructions are either in Spanish or Italian, I'm not good at that.
Plastic measuring spoon, also known as a lid.
And a clear plastic top to direct the popcorn into the bowl and not the ceiling =)
Appearance
In general, the overall appearance is similar to a coffee grinder from distant childhood.
Almost smooth plastic, except for the power button on the side and the power cord in the back.
Disassembling, if necessary, will not be difficult; just unscrew one screw in the back, and a couple in the front, under the “nose”.
Although the manufacturing materials are not great, everything fits well, there are no gaps.
At the top there is a metal container for corn, with holes through which hot air is supplied.
The plug is “European”, the cord length is about 1.5 meters.
The hole in the plastic cover is just for filling the popcorn.
This is what the included measuring spoon is for. We scoop up the corn and put it inside the popcorn bowl.
Height 27 centimeters, width 10 centimeters. Weight - 0.8 kg.
The power is almost the same as declared - 1129 W.
Tests
First, I tore open the bag that we usually put in the microwave. ordinary cardboard with fat and corn inside. The fat is somewhat reminiscent of lard, the appearance is very unappetizing... But all this ends up in a young growing organism...
Turn on, remembering to cover with a spoon-lid. The device operates on the principle of a hair dryer, heating element + fan. As a result, through the holes in the metal corn receiver, hot air evenly blows the grains and pushes out the ready ones.
The fat began to melt, which I then barely washed off...
And now the first snow-white popcorns have arrived.
The finished popcorns are blown with hot air into a bowl, and the heavy corns are waiting for their turn to become popcorn inside.
The maximum heating temperature was 237 degrees Celsius.
I don’t recommend eating this kind of popcorn, with elements of unknown fat and other additives. I go to the store and buy corn grains by weight for $2 per kilogram. According to my calculations, they will be enough for 50-60 large servings. Even if the child consumes popcorn 2-3 times a week and me on weekends, the popcorn machine will quickly pay for itself.
I add 20 grams of corn (not a full measuring spoon).
I turn on the car and go do my chores around the house.
After 2 minutes 20 seconds the popcorn is ready.
Don't worry if you forget to turn it off, after about 2 minutes 40 seconds the thermal sensor will trigger and turn off the machine. It will be possible to turn it on again only after it has cooled to 160 degrees or after about a minute.
Inside the metal niche, there are only a few unopened corns left; we throw them into a bucket.
Sprinkle with sugar or salt, to taste, and serve on the table with a fresh TV series or movie.
Video review
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You can buy it here - AliExpress
Total
The advantages are simple preparation, and most importantly the absence of various fats and burnt popcorn. And after use, you just need to wipe it with a napkin and put it in the closet; it doesn’t take up much space. I was very skeptical, but now I am very pleased.
Additional income
When eating sweet or salty dry foods, which includes popcorn, a person usually begins to feel thirsty.
Take advantage of this to secure additional income for yourself, as well as to attract more clients.
Moreover, most large companies producing soft drinks provide their refrigerators for use free of charge only on one condition that you will not store competitors’ products in them.
You won't believe what you can do with a popcorn bucket.
A spectacular vintage lamp will fit perfectly into the interior and make the atmosphere special. Laconic, not devoid of sophistication with elements of modeling and an impeccably selected pattern, it looks expensive and presentable. At the same time, most of the “details” of a budget masterpiece would be considered garbage by many and simply sent to a landfill.
For those who doubt it, a concrete example: in this project, a plastic popcorn bucket was turned into a self-sufficient lampshade.
And now about the materials:
- large plastic bucket of suitable shape
- tall wide neck wine bottle
- white, beige and black acrylic paint
- paste to create a patina effect
- suitable pictures or napkins for decoupage
- self-hardening clay
- lace
- old garland or wire with LED bulbs
- PVA glue with brush
- wire
- batteries
- scotch
First, prime the bucket and bottle with white paint. Let it dry and then apply beige paint on top.
We prepare the decorative elements and begin gluing.
As you apply the appliqué design, it is important to ensure that the paper lies as evenly as possible. First, lubricate the work surface with glue, and then place the applique on it. If necessary, the edges of the application must be additionally brushed with glue.
A stationery file is perfect for smoothing out the appliqué. You need to smooth the pattern from the center to the edges in order to “drive” excess glue to the surface and avoid the formation of bubbles. After removing the file, we carefully get rid of any accumulations of glue.
Additionally, we cover the application with a protective layer of glue. When working with a lampshade, we apply the applique not only on the sides, but also on the top cover. After the lampshade has completely dried, we add a lace edging to it.
To create molded elements we use self-hardening clay with figured stencils.
We place the molded elements on the bottle and let the clay completely harden.
We prime the dried clay with white paint, and after drying, cover it with black.
We give the “stucco” a patina effect.
We supplement the lampshade with a power supply with batteries, lay a cord with LED bulbs in a circle and attach it with tape to the inner walls. If desired, you can supplement the design with a button, a brightness control, and even power it from an outlet.
We twist the wire frame that will connect the lampshade to the leg and assemble the lamp.
More interesting details regarding the assembly of a vintage lamp in the video below:
Staff
Even if you are planning to open a very small point selling puffed corn, the issue of personnel selection should be given increased attention. The best person for this type of work is a sociable, smiling and always positive person who, moreover, easily finds a common language with children, who will make up the bulk of consumers of your products. However, no matter how pleasant your employee is, do not forget to regularly monitor how he performs his duties.
