How Can I Start a Kettle Corn Business?

Check out our Kettle Corn Business Blueprint. Step by Step guide on everything you need to know to start your own Kettle Corn Business http://www.kettlecorn.biz

Where did you get the bin popcorn sifter?

We sell this right on our website, you can find it here: https://www.popcorngenius.com/shop/p/kettle-corn-popcorn-bin-sifter

Where can I find the products you use?

You can check out a list here: https://www.popcorngenius.com/products-we-use

We also have a storefront on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/popcorngenius?ref=ac_inf_tb_vh

How far away is the burner from the bottom of the bowl in your kettle corn machine design?

The bowl is 1.5” away from the burner. For the full plans check out: https://www.popcorngenius.com/shop/p/kettle-corn-popper-plans-60-qt

Why in some of your recipes/videos do you use corn oil and in some videos you use a butter coconut or popping oil?

The difference between using corn oil and coconut oil is mainly flavor. They are both oils that have a high smoke point, so either should work perfectly fine in your popper. Typically anything similar to kettle corn like a sugar coating or glaze pop we use corn oil. Corn oil doesn’t add any flavor to the popcorn aside from the corn flavor itself. When we pop savory flavors we use butter coconut or a butter popping oil for that added butter flavor. We’ve also made kettle corn and caramel corn with butter coconut oil/butter popping oil and that is awesome!

What could be the cause of popcorn not popping?

This sometimes happens when the kernels are dumped too early. It can also be the moisture content in the kernels themselves. The ideal moisture content in your kernels should be 14%.

When the popcorn dries/cools after adding the flavor, does the popcorn become crunchier?

Yes. The popcorn gets a crunchy candy coating as it cools.

How do you keep popcorn crunchy?

Use airtight bags or containers.

How do you pack popcorn and maximize its freshness for longer use?

We use a number of different types of packaging depending on how we are selling it. If the popcorn is going to be consumed immediately, we use a box. If it will be consumed in 3-5 days, we use a poly bag. Fill the bag and attach a twist tie. If it's something for longer shelf life we've used heat sealable bags as well. The popcorn you use can have a different shelf life as well. Mushroom popcorn is heartier and does stay fresher longer than others.

What's the cleaning process like?

We try to make the flavors in order from least color contamination to most contamination. This means that if we make any of the savory flavors, we do those first because it's plain popcorn and we add the seasoning after. Then we would do kettle corn as that is just plain sugar. After that we could make caramel, strawberry, or blue raspberry, but would then need to clean the kettle in between those flavors because of the color contamination.

What are the disposable gloves you use?

We use these type that are FDA compliant - https://www.uline.com/BL_6723/Uline-Black-Industrial-Nitrile-Gloves

How does kettle corn made in this machine compare to the batches you make in your 60/80 quart propane setup?

We like making kettle corn in the theater popper. In fact when we had our popcorn shop, we made all our kettle corn using a theater popper even though we had bigger kettle poppers.

How do you clean all your equipment?

For our kettle we use Heat and Kleen - https://amzn.to/4hy0A43 . It works very well. That along with some old fashioned elbow grease.

Where do you get your clear bags that you use to bag up your popcorn??

We like the ones that PolyBagLLC makes. You can find them here: https://polybagllc.com/collections/hand-popped-kettle-corn-bags If you want bags with no printing, give them a call and you can order them.

Where do you get the bags that you use to shake the seasoning onto the popcorn?

For smaller batches of popcorn, we use 2 Gallon Zip Loc bags. For larger batches we use a food safe bag, https://www.discountplasticbags.com/12-to-16-gallon-high-density-can-liners-24-x-33-8-micron.htm

How Can I Clean My Kettle Corn Popper?

We have a step by step guide in our Popcorn Genius Academy Membership - http://www.popcorngenius.com/jointoday

Where can we pick up your free recipe book?

You can find it at https://www.popcorngenius.com/get-recipes

Where can we get the Become a Popcorn Genius Book?

You can get it here: https://amzn.to/3CqqiY3

Where can we find you on YouTube?

Check us out at https://www.youtube.com/@popcorngenius

Will Compound S help keep a regular kettle corn made with just sugar from sticking to the sides of the kettle?

Compound S helps to coat the popcorn better. It helps the sugar to not stick to the kettle but stick to the popcorn. Yes, Compound S, really does help keep the kettle cleaner because it facilitates the sugar coating and sticking to the popcorn more.

Do I have to use Compound S?

No, using Compound S is totally optional

What is Compound S used for?

Compound S helps to coat the popcorn better. It helps the sugar to not stick to the kettle but stick to the popcorn. It’s an emulsifier. Using it is options. If you use glaze pop, you don’t need to use Compound S because it’s already in the mix.

Where do I get Compound S?

Check it out here: https://shop.gmpopcorn.com/products/compound-s-2320

Do you have an Amazon Storefront?

Yes, we have an Amazon influencer store. You can check it out at: https://www.amazon.com/shop/popcorngenius?ref=ac_inf_tb_vh

Where do you get the sealable zipper bags you use to bag up popcorn?

We get them on Amazon, you can find them there: https://amzn.to/4ibd7uF They are a resealable 7.9''x 11.8'' bag.