Choosing a snack or food machine
Snack Vending Machines
These machines serve products such as crisps, chocolates, cereal bars etc. The machines are cooled to a temperature of approx 16ºC. Where as designs differ, most have standard sizes of selection i.e. 32, 36, 40, 44, and 48 and capacities ranging from 230 items to 500. Whilst the machines come as standard they can be changed to suit the customers requirements and products. The products are loaded into spirals that turn when selected and the product drops into a bin below for the customer to pick up.
Food Vending Machines (Carousel machines)
These machines serve products such as sandwiches, prepacked meals, fruit etc. The machines are refrigerated to a temperature of maximum 4ºC. Where as designs differ, most have a capacity of anything between 120 and 170 depending on the configuration i.e. the capacity would be larger if just vending yoghurts than it would selling 10" plated meals. The products are loaded into the compartments of a tray and the machine works like a carousel. The customer turns the carousel to the compartment it wishes to use and once the money is put in the compartment opens to allow the product to be removed.
Dual Temperature Vending Machines
These work on the spiral system and offer the customer the best of both worlds. The top half of the machine offers snacks at a temperature of approx 16ºC where as the bottom half offers sandwiches etc at temperatures of 4ºC or less. These are ideal for lower usage sites or sites where space is at a premium.