Popcorn machine recommendations - Page 10

Thanks, TheCrow1994! I really do appreciate the heads up! But as mentioned in my PM reply, that 14-ounce machine is a bit too big and a bit too power-hungry for situation.

Mark

Paragon is now selling on ebay under the username concessionsdirect. Got a 4oz Cineplex from them and have loved it so far. Shipping was very fast and overall a good experience.

Hey all...

I work for the largest manufacturer of popcorn machines.

Feel free to shoot me a PM for info. Not sure about the rules, so I won't list the company name.

Thanks for the heads up. Looks like you can get a pretty good deal if you can score one starting about $30+ under their "Buy It Now" price.

Without giving away Coach's company too much, this is the brand that I wanted to buy originally but they didn't make a 4oz popper at the time I bought my 4oz Star.
Coach's company also makes great popcorn. I use their popcorn and love it.

just in-case anyone is wondering about the size/ capacity of smaller machines here's a pic of my cineplex with 2 batches(.5cup corn non portion pack)



more likely i can scoop some out into another container like the bottom of my whirley pop, and fit another 2 or 3 batches(ive ran 3 batchesbefore with room to spare), the only issue is that the kettle swings down pretty far so im not sure but currently i have no reason to make 20oz of popcorn.

Our Great Northern TopStar 12-ounce machine arrived from Amazon today! UPS didn't deliver it until 7pm but we still couldn't resist setting the machine up and making our first (small) batch.




The TopStar popped it up FAST and after just 10 minutes on the warming deck the popcorn was nice and crispy. This machine is going to work out very well for us!

BTW and FWIW, that's a single 4-ounce pre-pack popped up on the bottom of the machine.

Mark

Looks great, Mark! Looks like there's lots of room for popcorn in there.

The Great Northern 12-ounce TopStar machine got its first workout at last night's Booth Bijou Garage Theater showing. I ended up popping three 12-ounce pre-packs and one 4-ounce pre-pack. That's about 30% more popcorn than past events. Our guests gobbled it up! Having the machine right in the theater (and filling the theater with the delicious smell of popcorn) probably helped "encourage" consumption.

Mark

Just 2 weeks ago I was contemplating did I need a 4oz, 6oz, or 8oz machine, and now that I own a popcorn machine I'm jealous of 12oz . I decided to go with the 8oz and am very happy I didn't go any smaller. I have a case of 8oz packs and 4oz packs and the 8oz ones are almost gone already - there is nearly an entire case of 4oz packs still left.

I am looking at the 8 oz Paragon Contempo. I wanted to cut out a nook for the machine to slide into. I was curious how hot they get when in use. If I had 3" around the machine and 6" above it would I be Ok?

I will have it on a sliding trey that will pull out to clean etc.

the folks at Paragon might be the best to answer your inquiry. just send them an email outlining your idea.
contact@paragonpop.com
built in Iowa, right next to the corn

I tried to give Paragon a call today and never got an answer.  Attached is a picture to give an idea of what I am thinking.

The dimension on the pic are not correct.  I should have 2" on the side, 3" in the rear and 12" above the unit.

www.valleypopcorn.com has a good selection of poppers and preportioned corn, oil, and salt
Don

did you email paragon that picture, 'tex?

Or you can private message them on their Facebook page.

I see a lot of posts about Paragon and Gold Medal poppers but nothing on Benchmark USA. Does anyone have any opinions on Benchmark USA? We were looking at the 6oz Metropolitan with stand.

Benchmark makes nice machines. The difference is that they are import machines while all Paragon machines and most GM machines are made in the U.S. So I would put them just a notch below Paragon and GM. Paragon has a Lifetime Warranty on their 4 oz machines also. Paragon machines are built like tanks and are my personal favorite.

Interesting and certainly disappointing. They are quite expensive for an import and it weighs considerably less than the Paragon Contempo...problem with the Contempo is I like stand of the Metropolitan over the wheeled cart because of size

Well import does not automatically translate into bad or poor quality. Like I said, they are nice machines. I would just put them one notch below the Paragon and GM machines. But that is not a reason not to order unless you generally don't like to use products made overseas. Hope that makes sense and helps.

Thanks Ken! I was hoping American made but I can do without if the style isn't right for our room.

Exactly. If you like the style, go for it. I can vouch for their machines. There are, however, lots of other import brands that are not made nearly as well as Benchmark's.

Jeez,

I really like the Paragon 1911 Popcorn Popper - Black & Chrome style but according to their site it only comes in 4oz and 8oz. I really want a 6oz. to be the perfect blend of cost and size. It also comes with a really cool stand




I also really like the Contempo and it is offered in the 6oz. size I want but I can't fit the cart in the spot I want. I wish they offered a stand for this popper



I also like the Benchmark USA Metropolitan and it comes with the stand and 6oz but I can't tell you I am crazy for the "POPCORN" on the top. I may have to go with this one plus it is about $200 less than the Paragon sets



Is anyone aware if Gold Medal offers a 6oz. black and silver/chrome popper and stand?

You can setup the Benchmark machine without the "Popcorn" sign. I'm pretty sure that gets screwed on after you take the machine out of the box. But then there are no graphics at all, if you leave it off.

Here is the link to GM's 4 to 8 oz machines:
http://www.gmpopcorn.com/products/product-classes.cfm?catid=1&classid=1

Edit:
For some reason it does not have this machine and stand on that link, so here it is:
https://www.stargatecinema.com/art-deco-6-oz-popcorn-machine.html
Pricey but a super nice looking machine.

Hmm very interesting. I suppose I could go to a graphics shop and have them match the font of the stand and I could sicker the side with some good quality stickers.

The art deco is nice, but the price is certainly prohibitive.

How terrible would it be to go with a 4oz Paragon popper if we had 5-10 people over? Can the 4oz Paragon popper handle a 6oz bag?

Also how many batches do the 4, 6, 8 oz machines hold? Can I run say 6 4oz batches through a 4oz popper and have it all sit in the unit with the warming tray on?
Edited by Larry M - 3/30/13 at 3:13am

You should be fine. We have a 6 oz machine in our store and two batches are enough to fill up about 10 of the small scoop boxes. If you have a 4 ounce machine you may need to pop 3 or 4 batches depending on how much popcorn your guests eat. Then you have to think about how often you will have 5-10 people over.
You should be OK with 6 batches but that is a lot of popcorn. Again, we have a 6 oz machine and I think it would hold that much. It will be close with a 4 oz machine (even with the smaller batch sizes).

Thanks for the info Ken. Certainly makes the decision easier and more difficult

Yeah, clear as mud. At least you have some options. Lol.

Darn, I think I just noticed something and it would completely ruin the 4oz 1911 for me which my wife and I pretty much agreed on.

Does the 4oz 1911 NOT have an old maids draw or a warming. The would completely change my mind on that unit