How Much Does a Soda Vending Machine Weigh? Size & Weight
The business of vending machines is booming recently as a low-maintenance source of income to the point that many people consider it a passive one.
Although there are tons of vending machines out there, soda vending machines remain the most popular ones out there.
Whether you’re planning on buying a soda vending machine or you’re just curious, you might be wondering about its weight.
How Much Does a Vending Machine Weigh?
Vending machines weigh on average between 450-800 lbs (around 200 to 360 Kg) but it can still be a bit heavier for some extra-large models. Although the weight of a soda vending machine can vary greatly depending on various factors.
In the following article, we’ll provide you with a brief guide about the weight and dimensions of soda vending machines as well as the factors affecting them.
Let’s dive in!
RELATED READ: How Much Does a Snack Vending Machine Weigh?
How Heavy Should a Soda Vending Machine Weigh?
Ideally, a soda vending machine can be as light as 400 to 450 lbs (about 180 to 200 Kg) when empty and up to 50 lbs heavier when stocked.
On the other hand, a large soda vending machine can be as heavy as 800 lbs (around 360 Kg) when empty.
Not all soda vending machines are created equal, as these machines are not standardized and come in a wide range of sizes to suit different space availability options, therefore they have a wide range of weights.
In addition to having a variety of sizes, there are also other options that may have an impact on the overall weight of the vending machine, which makes one soda vending machine heavier than the other, despite having seemingly equal sizes.
Modern vending machines with more powerful refrigeration can also be a bit heavier or lighter depending on the architecture of the cooling system.
Why Are Soda Vending Machines So Heavy?
There are plenty of reasons why vending machines are built to be extremely heavy and upwards of hundreds of pounds. In this section, we’ll take a quick look at these aspects:
1. Refrigeration
Unlike regular glassdoor snack vending machines that serve chips, soda needs to be chilled at all times for optimal taste and quality.
For that reason, soda vending machines have an elaborate cooling system that adds a lot of weight to the soda vending machine.
It’s for reasons like this that some compact soda vending machines can be as heavy or even outweigh some larger snacks vending machines.
2. Durability
A soda vending machine is designed so that it works 24 hours every day of the week for several years. In fact, with good maintenance, a soda vending machine can last anywhere between 15 to 20 years!
During that time, the machine will be used thousands of times, including opening and restocking for hundreds of cycles. All that requires a sturdy frame that will sustain heavy and continuous use.
3. Protection
Since nobody is going to hire a personal guard for a vending machine to watch it 24/7, the vending machine needs to be quite heavy to make it difficult for anyone to simply “slap it on a pallet jack and go”.
Being heavy doesn’t only protect the vending machine from theft, but it also protects the inner workings of the machine from tampering.
For example, it makes shaking the machine to get a free can of soda a very difficult and risky endeavor!
Factors That Affect the Weight of a Soda Vending Machine
As previously mentioned, there are plenty of factors that can impact the current weight of a vending machine. Here’s a quick look at some of these aspects and their effect on the weight of the machine:
1. Type of Soda Vending Machine
Soda vending machines come in a variety of types. This includes stack machines, which are the regular vending machine where customers click on the picture of their preferred soda and get it from the bottom tray.
On the other hand, the glass front vending machines are the ones that put all the items inside a vending machine on display, which is usually larger and heavier than compact stack machines.
2. The Model of the Soda Vending Machine
Even within the same type of vending machine, different manufacturers and even different models will have specific design elements that can impact the weight of the vending machine by up to 100 lbs in difference, which is mostly due to inner fortification and cash processing systems used.
3. The Cooling System
Cooling systems have gone a long way over the years to make them more efficient and reliable.
However, some of these advanced cooling systems can be heavier or lighter than the old ones. Depending on the refrigeration system used in your soda vending machine, the weight will be affected dramatically.
What Are the Dimensions of a Soda Vending Machine?
The dimensions of a soda vending machine will also vary depending on the type of vending machine as well as its capacity.
For example, the most common size for a soda vending machine is usually about 37 inches (94 cm) in width, 33 inches (84 cm) deep, and about 72 (183 cm) high.
However, the dimensions can range up to 41 inches (104 cm) wide, 38 inches (97 cm) deep, and 79.5 inches (202 cm) high, so you have to keep that in mind and allow about 5 inches in each dimension while finding a proper spot for your machine.
Final Thoughts
This wraps it up for today’s guide that answers the question “how much does a soda vending weigh?” and walks you through all the aspects and factors that play a role in affecting the weight of a vending machine.
Although soda vending machines are usually more compact than snack vending machines, they’re usually equally heavy due to the advanced cooling system necessary for these machines.
If you’re planning to move your soda vending machine, make sure to keep the previously mentioned tips in mind to make the transportation process safer and more efficient.
