Operating a popcorn machine is an extremely successful method to increase food selections at concession stands, fairs, sporting events, and movie theaters. The scent of fresh popcorn is a proven technique to boost impulse purchases, and customers can’t get enough of the salty, buttery flavor.
So, what makes some popcorn poor or even inedible? Either you have a faulty batch of maize, you used the wrong oil, or your machine is unclean. A decent brand of popcorn will go you a long way, but knowing how to clean a popcorn machine is essential for producing great results that will keep customers lined up for this classic delicacy.Maintaining precious and expensive popcorn popper components is also an excellent strategy to keep the large profit margins that selling popcorn may provide to your bottom line.
Always refer to your machine’s instruction manual for exact instructions.
Caution: Always let your kettle cool for at least an hour before cleaning it. If a hot kettle is touched, it will produce burns. Never use ice or water to cool a hot kettle; it will cause serious kettle damage!
How to Clean A Popcorn Machine
Step 1: Clean the Outside of Your Kettle
Once cool, wipe the exterior of the kettle with a clean, soft cloth. Oven cleansers and abrasive products should not be used since they will harm the kettle.
Step 2: Clean the Interior of Your Kettle
Gold Medal’s Heat’n Kleen solution is the finest popcorn machine cleaning for the interior of the kettle. Mix 2 teaspoons of Heat’n Kleen solution into a gallon of water at the end of each day. You will not need the full gallon. Pour enough solution into the kettle to fill it halfway.
Turn on the kettle’s heat. When the solution begins to boil, turn off the heat in the kettle. Allow the kettle to cool for at least one hour before emptying the solution into a bucket and wiping the interior with a clean towel. Make certain that all solution is poured into the bucket and that none is spilled inside the machine.
For a really filthy kettle, repeat the operation; alternatively, after turning off the kettle heat, leave the solution in the kettle overnight. Finish your cleaning the next morning.
Wipe the kettle lead cable with a clean, slightly wet cloth while the item is turned off and disconnected. If moisture gets into the kettle lead cable, it will cause significant harm.
Step 3: Daily Unit Cleaning Procedures of Your Kettle
Of course, cleaning a popcorn machine entails more than simply sanitizing the kettle. The entire unit should be cleaned on a regular basis to maintain an appealing, professional look.
Unplug the machine and let it cool before attempting to clean it.
Clean and sterilize all pans and attachments before each use. Wipe away excess grease from the glass and cabinet with a clean, slightly moist cloth. Any stainless steel parts should be cleaned with a popcorn machine cleaner developed exclusively for stainless steel, such as Gold Medal Watchdog Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish. Use of oven cleansers or abrasive products can harm your equipment.
On glass or plastic panels, use a glass cleaner such as Gold Medal Watchdog Glass Cleaner. Ammonia-containing cleansers should never be used since they will harm plastic doors.
Step 4: Clean Filters, Crispers, and Blowers of Your Kettle
If your popcorn machine has filters, make sure to clean and maintain them on a regular basis. Some filters are washable, while others are simply replaceable.
Similarly, depending on the size and kind of your machine, you may need to conduct additional cleaning duties or have certain portions of the equipment inspected and cleaned at regular intervals by certified service workers.
Popcorn Tips:
We won’t interfere with your science for making the ideal batch, but we do have some suggestions for presenting five-star popcorn:
- Pre-packaged kits make it simple to have the right amount of corn, oil, and salt on hand and will ensure uniformity throughout shifts.
- To avoid chewy popcorn, store it in a sealed container at room temperature.
- Vegetable oil cannot sustain the high temperatures necessary to manufacture popcorn, resulting in smoke and flames. To make a good popping oil, use coconut, palm, canola, sunflower, peanut, or soy oil.
- Scoops designed exclusively for popcorn make filling bags considerably easier.
