Introducing Hot Meal Vending Machines

Posted on Dec 20, 2020

Hot Meal Vending Machine

A hot meal vending machine is typically equipped with both a freestanding microwave and vending system that are capable of cooking a wide variety of refrigerated or frozen pre-packaged hot meals quickly.

What Are Hot Meal Vending Machines? 

The automated hot meal vending machine, also known as the automated pre-packaged hot food vending machine, is without a doubt a phenomenal invention, achieving its objectives by quickly and automatically delivering various pre-packaged hot food items, such as refrigerated meals, sandwiches, hamburgers, pizza, hot dogs, etc. that are preemptively frozen or refrigerated within the hot food vending machine in most cases. Users are then able to select and purchase the desired hot food item of choice. Some of the common types of hot meal vending machines include pizza-making vending machines, pot noodle vending machines, etc.

A hot meal vending machine is typically equipped with both a freestanding microwave and vending system that are capable of cooking a wide variety of refrigerated or frozen pre-packaged hot meals quickly. The hot meal vending machine also incorporates a gravity delivery system, which greatly simplifies the machine configuration as well as the parts needed to operate the hot food vending machine, thus significantly reducing the overall machine malfunction and repair.

The hot meal vending machines are comprised of a vending system, a front door that can be opened for configuration and repair, multi-level and motorized spiral vending channels which hold the pre-packaged hot food items, a refrigeration cooling system, a funnel delivery system that utilizes gravity, an automated microwave cooking system with lower and upper retractable door assemblies, as well as the main controller board that operates the hot food vending machine.
 

The Advent of Hot Meal Vending Machine

The on-the-go style of food serving has been around for many centuries as food items with convenient sources are largely demanded. In some places, you may be looking to drive for at least a mile to a fast-food restaurant or a 24-hour mini-mart just to grab a nice, hot meal, such as hamburgers and hotdogs, and this could be quite a hassle. Even by incorporating the drive-through service in some of the well-known fast-food chains (like McDonald's), the undesirable proximity is inevitable. This is why vending machines begin to emerge out of the surface. 

To accommodate consumers’ emerging preference for food convenience, organizations have started to develop vending machines which take the convenient food serving to the next level, enabling easily accessible hot food items that can be served within seconds at convenient locations. 

Although vending machines are mostly known for dispensing a variety of soda pops, chips, and candy bars, they have been developed to be able to serve hot food items, such as pre-packaged meals, hot cocoa, tea, coffee, and so on. In other words, vending machines have become more complex over the years in terms of the items sold, machine configuration (i.e., the dispensing mechanism, refrigeration cooling system, etc.), payment methods, and so forth.
 

:: Read More: Automatic Food Vending Machines – Product Versatility

Configuration and Construction of Hot Meal Vending Machine

The front door of a hot food vending machine can be constructed with a handful of different materials, such as steel, titanium, or aluminum. A video display monitor, not technically associated with the operational process, is usually incorporated for advertisement purposes. Another touch-based display monitor is included as well to guide the user through the selection and purchasing process, informing them of the payment methods and food choices available. 

A cylinder key lock of a hot food vending machine is also utilized to keep the front door fastened and tightly shut. Just like the standard vending machines, a coin insert slot and a coin release switch are both included for submitting payment and when payments are required to be returned to the users. And a coin change opening is where the returned payment and change will be dispensed. A food delivery opening allows users to receive the purchased food meal once the cooking process is completed.

The body of the hot food vending machine can be constructed of similar materials, such as steel aluminum, or titanium. A refrigeration cool system is employed inside the machine to keep the pre-packaged food frozen and refrigerated with a pre-programmed temperature. The multi-level, motorized vending channels in which the food items are stored act as a funnel delivery chute. 

A cylindrical roll device is also incorporated to deliver selected food items to the microwaving system, capable of heating up the selected food item. A microwave cooking system typically has motorized retracting doors that come in pairs at the top and bottom of the system.
 

What Are the Benefits of Hot Meal Vending Machines?

The implementation of hot food vending machines has many benefits, including: 

Affordable

Since hot food vending machines are unmanned, they are very affordable as a result; you are also not required to pay any wages like the manned restaurants. The electricity required to run the hot food vending machines are relatively less as well, alleviating your burden for utility expenses. However, you may still be looking to pay for the regular maintenance checks that ensure the hot food vending machines are running as intended.

Generating Revenue

Similar to the above, a hot food vending machine not only saves money but makes money as well. Hot food vending machines are a reliable source of additional income for a business. In fact, many fast-food brands worldwide have made use of these vending machines that serve fresh, hot food as a deviated means to generate substantial revenue. 

Easy to Manage

Upon installation, hot food vending machines require very little maintenance and oversight. You can easily configure your hot food vending machines to serve a variety of intended food items and meals. Payment options have also become less limited as they are becoming more streamlined with solutions such as Apple pay, potentially expanding the popularity and universality of vending machines. Keep in mind, however, vending machines that serve hot food will be relatively harder to manage as opposed to the ones serving simple bags of chips and soda.

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