If you've ever thought about making popcorn at home then I'm sure you realized that you wouldn't be able to make any with a proper popcorn machine. One of the biggest problems with popcorn machines is that most people think that only movie theaters can have them. However, that is simply wrong. Pretty much anyone can have a popcorn machine as long as he knows what he wants and disposes of the necessary pocket change to pay for it.

This article is meant to give you an introduction into the different types of popcorn machines for sale, what their numerous characteristics are and how much money you will need to invest in order to get a proper quality popcorn machines for your home or business.

Home Popcorn Machines

Created specifically for residential and non-commercial use, home popcorn machines are an excellent entry-level solution for any popcorn fan. Due to the smaller size they're convenient for owners to store and use without losing any quality in the production process. The cheapest popcorn machine start at around 40$ whilst more advanced ones are available for around 100$. If you're looking for slightly larger state-of-the-art solutions, prices can go well above 250$.

4oz. Popcorn Machines

Heavy duty popcorn machines have kettle sizes around 4 oz. They're an ideal addition for your home theater and guaranteed to please any party. However, quality has its price and therefore you will have to expect much higher prices in this range. The cheapest model from the company Paragon is called the Popper Thrifty Pop and comes in at just over 300$. If you're looking for the top-line model from Paragon, the International Professional Series, you'll even have to dish out over 600$. As you can see, these beautiful and handy machines don't come cheap.

8oz. Popcorn Machines

If you decide to go for an 8 oz machine then you're already planning on producing significant quantities of popcorn. Machines of this size are sturdy, durable and would make a great profit center for anyone planning on earning a buck or two at a local market or festival. Obviously you'll have to take some serious prices into consideration. The popcorn machine Pop-A-Lot from Gold Medal costs a whopping 1,700$. Granted, it's a top-of-the-line model, but you should make sure you know what you're doing before you order one of these babies.

20oz. Popcorn Machines

Larger machines are particularly suitable for large venues such as theaters, stadiums, arenas or shopping centers. The smallest versions start with kettle sizes around of 20 oz. These models are all made with a commercial purpose in mind. They're significantly more sturdy than smaller models and are industrial in strength. Price vary anywhere between 4,000$ and 12,000$. The prices clearly show that you're dealing with some serious machines here.

52oz. and above

The absolute largest popcorn machines all start at a minimum kettle size of 52 oz. The sheer size already implies that whichever model you buy, prices are bound to be enormous. Nonetheless, differences in quality are still a major issue. Even the smallest improvement in quality will cost an obscene surcharge simply because the machines are already extremely expensive. Any premium is exponentially higher than with other models. Just to give you an idea of what to expect, the most expensive models from the company Cretors cost around 18,000$. And that's without supplies or any other extras.

Whatever type of popcorn machine it is you're looking for, always make sure your clearly define what your particular needs are. Are you looking for a high-end product or is an entry-level model enough for you? Is design something you're willing to pay extra money for? What's your budget? These are all very important questions you need to address before making your final choice. And of course don't the most important part of all: Make sure the machine actually makes good popcorn! ;-)