Popcorn Butter & Butter Dispenser

Butter Dispensers: What You Need to Know

Some popcorn butter dispensers are designed with manually operated pumps, while others dispense product electronically with the push of a button. Many units have a heater to keep the topping hot throughout serving. Although some butter dispensers come ready for countertop use, many are individual pumps that must be installed into your countertop. These configurations come in a pedestal-and-rack assembly and require a level cabinet for installation. Once the unit has been set up, it must be cleaned prior to use.

Popcorn butter dispensers with pedestal-and-rack assemblies need to be placed under the counter in an area that can be enclosed on all sides, enabling the heater to maintain product temperature properly. To ensure the adequate temperature, limit the cabinet width to 3 feet and facilitate access to the front of this area. Sufficient clearance is required to clean and maintain the pump, and add or remove boxes of topping. You may have to prepare the countertop by drilling mounting holes for the pedestal and cutting rectangular holes for the power cable, oil tube, drip pan, and remote switch, if one is equipped. For counters thicker than the pedestal's mounting studs, counterbore the countertop's underside to fit wing nuts and washers.

Common Questions About Popcorn Butter Dispensers

How do you fill pedestal-and-rack popcorn butter dispensers?

Don't operate the system with a bag removed from its box, as it's not intended for use with food products such as butter. First, load two boxes of preheated topping onto the rack, although a separate warmer may be needed for preheating. To expose the bag nozzle, remove the cardboard cutout on the box, and then remove the bag nozzle's cap. Finally, attach the universal bag connector from the rack assembly to the bag nozzle – the unit is ready to use once oil is connected.

How do you operate pedestal-and-rack butter dispensers?

There are three positions on the pedestal-and-rack popcorn butter dispenser. Its center position indicates the unit is off, while the up position means heat only. The heat-only setting activates the display light, the heater/blower that maintains the cabinet temperature, and the foil heater in the pedestal. When the switch is in the down position, this indicates pump and heat activation, which provides power to the pumps and initiates the display light, the heater/blower, and the foil heater in the pedestal.

How do you clean pedestal-and-rack popcorn butter dispensing systems?

Before cleaning the butter dispenser, verify the unit is turned off and unplugged because it needs time to cool down before cleaning. To clean messes such as oil spills from exterior surfaces, begin by wiping with a clean, dry towel, and then wipe again with a towel dampened with mild soap and warm water. Use a clean cloth and cleaner designed for stainless steel to wipe the stainless steel parts. Warm, soapy water should be used to clean the drip pan and its insert. Use glass cleaner to clean the plastic panels because ammonia cleaners will damage the plastic.