How Do Hot Food Vending Machines Work? Step-by-Step Guide

These days, vending machines don’t only serve snacks, soda, and juice boxes. Some sell toys, ice cream, cakes, and even hot food.

You heard that right—steaming, warm food straight from the vending machine!

But how do hot food vending machines work, exactly? 

Hot food vending machines are equipped with an automated microwave cooking system that heats up your food when selected. Depending on the food chosen, heating takes anywhere from several seconds to several minutes. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the internal properties of a hot food vending machine, as well as its advantages.

Should you get a hot food vending machine for your next business?

Let’s find out!  

RELATED READ: Do Hotels Have Vending Machines?

How Do Hot Food Vending Machines Work? 

Believe it or not, hot vending machines have a very simple design. 

Usually, they feature two compartments:

• Refrigerator (The refrigerator stores the food to keep them fresh.)
• Heating source (like a microwave or an electric oven).

The cooking system comes in pairs and is typically placed at the bottom and the top of the machine. 

When a customer makes a payment and selects a hot meal, the chosen product will automatically be transferred to a microwave and heated for several seconds. 

Depending on the item, this can take anywhere between several seconds to several minutes. A timer will be displayed so the customer is aware of the remaining time. 

When the time is up, the cooked, piping hot food would be delivered through the funnel delivery chute and presented to the customer from the delivery opening. 

Some hot vending machines have individual compartments that act like mini microwaves, like the Snack-o-Matic Vending Machine.

• Once the payment has been made, the machine heats up the selected food for several seconds.
• Then, the door unlocks, allowing the customer to open their preferred handle and collect their food.
• Usually, this type of vending machine is connected to a back kitchen so the food served is always fresh. 

What are the Advantages of Hot Food Vending Machines? 

In the past, hot food vending machines were too good to be true. Today, it’s almost an expectation. 

No one really knows who invented the very first hot food vending machine, but we do know that the first French fry vending machine was manufactured by the now-defunct Precision Fry Food in Australia in 1982. 

These vending machines allowed people to purchase fresh French fries straight out of the vending machine. The vending machine didn’t so much fry the fries but instead heated pre-cooked fries in an internal microwave. 

Based on this invention, a ton of other hot vending machines emerged. Some are made specifically for burgers and sandwiches, while others are made for hot drinks, pizzas, and even noodles (thanks, Japan!). 

If you own a business, hot food vending machines are a brilliant way to keep staff onsite. With these machines in your company, employees won’t miss more work than necessary and are less likely to skip lunch, which further boosts productivity. 

Since it’s unmanned and totally automatic, you won’t have to pay monthly wages either. Plus, customers won’t have to wait long when ordering food, potentially doubling your profit. 

Finally, it’s super easy to manage. Simply monitor the machine’s progress from afar and occasionally check for damages or repairs.

Hot food vending machines have a very simple mechanism so it’s not too difficult to fix if it does require repairs.

It’s super low maintenance too, so you don’t have to worry about constantly monitoring the machine for signs of damage. 

How Do Hot Drink Vending Machines Work?

The internal mechanism of vending machines that serve coffee and other hot beverages differs from that of hot food vending machines. 

• Usually, coffee/tea/chocolate powder is stored in individual containers within the machine.
• When a customer makes a payment, the machine scoops the appropriate amount of powder and dispenses it into the cup.
• It’s then mixed with water (and sometimes milk and sugar, depending on the customer’s preference), and
• Served to the customer. 

Some hot drink vending machines have pre-filled cups that contain either instant or pre-ground beans. When payment is made, the machine adds water (and milk/sugar) to the cup without having to scoop the powder in. 

High-quality hot drink machines are equipped with a bean grinder. Fresh, whole beans are poured into the hopper and released into a grinder when the user makes a payment.

The freshly ground coffee will then be transferred to an appropriately sized cup, filled with water and if desired, milk and sugar. 

Where to Find Hot Food Vending Machines?

Hot food vending machines provide customers with quick and budget-friendly hot meals when they have little to no time to spare. They also make hot meals accessible in remote areas where the restaurants are miles away. 

As such, hot food vending machines can be found almost anywhere, including universities, train stations, bus stations, gas stations, and even company canteens. They’re also available in certain

• Hotels,
• Supermarkets, and
• convenience stores—even more so now with the increasing demand for contactless service. 

Are Hot Food Vending Machines Profitable? 

Customers who don’t have the time to wait in line or sit in a restaurant for a hot meal go for the next best thing: hot food vending machines. They’re cheap and convenient, and prepare food in just a few minutes. 

When placed in a high-traffic location and stocked with a decent selection of hot foods, a hot food vending machine can be extremely profitable. With the right strategy, it can make well over $400 a month in profits. 

Bottom Line 

Hot food vending machines are extremely convenient for people who don’t have much time on their hands and want to eat a quick, hot meal on the go.

Although not as popular as traditional soda machines, hot food vending machines can be found almost everywhere in the US, including bus stations, gas stations, universities, hotels, and convenience stores. 

Hot food vending machines have a built-in microwave/oven system that automatically heats up the selected food when payment is made.

To keep the food fresh, they’re stored in a mini-refrigerator and kept there until it’s either replaced or ordered by a customer.