Popcorn machines are sized by "kettle" size. Each popcorn machine is designed to pop a certain number of ounces of unpopped popcorn kernals per cycle. Home use machines are generally sized with kettles between 4 and 8 ounces. 1 ounce of unpopped kernals when popped, makes about 1 1/4 quarts of popped corn. A typical microwave bag of popcorn contains 3 ounces of popcorn kernals. A typical single serving of popcorn is about 2 ounces. So, a 4 ounce popcorn machine produces about 2-3 servings of popcorn per cycle. Multiple cycles can produce more and the popcorn machine has a heated area to contain the popped corn for later serving. 6 and 8 ounce machines are designed to produce more popcorn more quickly for a larger number of people. Each kettle size has a rating called quarts/hour. This tells the maximum amount of popcorn that it will produce if you were to continually pop corn for a full hour. You should determine the maximum amount of popcorn that you will need in any hour and use this table:

 

Less than 85 quarts = 4 ounce popper (makes about 5 quarts per cycle)

86-126 quarts = 6 ounce popper (makes about 7.5 quarts per cycle)

127-170 quarts = 8 ounce popper (makes about 10 quarts per cycle)

 

 

The taste and flavor of popcorn is determined by the type of oil and seasoning salt that is used in the cooking process. Most theaters use a specially formulated cooking oil (usually coconut oil) that is partially absorbed by the popcorn as it pops. Butter flavored salt is also used to flavor and color the popped corn. This is what gives the popcorn its flavor. Most microwaveable popcorn is oil-less and comes out dry and flavor-less. 

 

 

Quality popcorn has a moisture content of 13-14% inside the hull. When the popcorn is heated the moisture turns to steam and expands. Eventually the pressure from the expanding steam causes the hull to explode. Storing popcorn in a sealed container at room temperature or less will keep the moisture content consistent and the popcorn fresh. Avoid storing popcorn in extremely warm and dry conditions which will cause the moisture content in the popcorn to reduce. A loss of as little as 3% moisture can cause the kernel to become un-poppable (an old maid).

 

 

The only maintenance required on popcorn machines is to keep them clean. Routine cleaning only requires that the excess oil is wiped off the kettle after you finish popping (a damp cloth will do the trick). You will want to do a thorough cleaning occasionally by removing the stainless steel trays (clean in a sink or dishwasher) and cleaning the glass panels with a standard glass cleaner. Any carbon build-up on the kettle that results from the failure to remove the excess oil can be cleaned with  a “Kettle Cleaning Kit”.

 

 

We ship orders Monday through Friday, excluding Holidays. Items normally ship within 1-3 business days. Most items ship direct from the manufacturer. If your item cannot ship within this time-frame, we will email you the status and let you know of any delays and whether or not you wish to cancel your order.

 

 

All order confirmations, receipts, shipment tracking information, etc. is sent via email. Please be sure you allow email from "ht-accessories.com" and "onlinehometheateraccessories.com" so that we can update your order/shipment status. It is your responsibilty to make sure you allow email from us or check your SPAM or JUNK email folders in order to receive status of your order.

 

 

Online Home Theater Accessories is a registered trade name and a subsidiary of our parent company MEG Enterprises, LLC. Either entity name is a legal entity name for the company.