Vending Machines You Didn't Know Existed
What do you think about when you picture a vending machine? Perhaps you see a glass-front drink machine, where rows of beverages are on display and a picker cup moves from a hydraulic system to fetch your drink. Maybe you picture a snack machine with dozens of coils that spin to satisfy your cravings. Or maybe you see a combination of both, where you see snacks at the top and drinks at the bottom.
These are very common everyday vending machines that you might see from time to time. Very standard. Very expected.
But here in the 21st century, human creativity and ingenuity have led to many different kinds of vending machines. Here are just a couple of vending machines you might be surprised exist in today’s world.
Sundry Machine
Sundry Machine… or convenience machine, miscellaneous machine, whatever suits your fancy. This vending machine does not sell your typical snacks, drinks, chips, or chocolate bars. Instead, it offers a wide variety of sundry items that you might find at your local convenience store, such as Advil, lip balm, sunscreen, bandages, and even a deck of cards for those looking for something to do.
The convenience of this vending machine cannot be overstated, especially in hotels, condos, or other locations where nearby stores may be closed or difficult to access. Imagine it's late at night and you're home from work or returning from a business trip, only to be plagued by a headache. With most convenience stores closed or too far away, you'd be delighted to know that just a few floors down, a sundry vending machine is there to save the day.
Pizza Vending Machines
Pizza, the Italian classic comfort food and a staple in restaurants all over the world. Whether it's a classic pepperoni pizza, a meat lovers, or the ever-divisive pineapple pizza, you really can't go wrong.
Often pizza is made by hand by trained professionals, but there does exist vending machines that automatically make these pizzas for you. What could be more professional than machinery programmed specifically to make your pies? These are 24/7 automated kiosks that bake 11-12 inch pizzas in roughly 3 minutes using convection ovens, giving you the freshly baked pie you so crave.
Ice Cream Vending Machines
No summer outing is complete without ice cream. It is everyone’s go-to dessert when the sun’s out, and rightfully so. It is such a staple everywhere you go. Very intelligent innovators thought to automate ice cream through vending machines so that the process is smooth and allows you to enjoy your cone without a second thought.
You'd probably see these ice cream vending machines at beaches or amusement parks, where traffic is highest, especially during the summer months, enhancing the experience for anyone out enjoying the sun.
Okay, maybe you’ve seen these machines before, but let’s turn the dial up a notch, shall we?
Live Crab Vending Machine
What? Live crabs? Are you serious?
Yes, absolutely we are! There are live crab vending machines out there, primarily found in China since around 2010. These machines dispense live hairy crabs and effectively take up some sections in grocery stores. The machines are refrigerated to roughly 5°C (41°F) to keep the crabs in a dormant state and often include vinegar and ginger tea with the purchase.
You might be wondering why this would be popular. There are actually quite a few benefits to live crab vending machines. Some of these benefits include 24/7 availability, placement in high-traffic locations, and, most importantly, the guarantee of a live crab. Many vendors even offer guarantee replacements, such as three free live crabs if a purchased one is found, well, not to be.
Kunstautomaten
Now we travel to Germany to learn about a vending machine that doesn’t dispense food, but instead dispenses art. A Kunstautomat is a repurposed former cigarette machine that dispenses miniature original artworks. These machines offer small paintings, sketches, or sculptures in boxes about the size of a cigarette pack, providing affordable and accessible art pieces.
The purchase of these tiny tokens is often sought after by collectors, tourists, and general appreciators of art. With their affordability and uniqueness, how could you say no?
The accessibility of these machines in public spaces, the small scale of the artwork, and the concept of turning parts of Germany into small art galleries have made this one of the more unique vending machines in the world.
"Shokken" (食券) - Japan’s Meal Ticket Vending Machines
If you've ever visited Japan, you'll know that it is famous for its wide variety and distribution of vending machines. And perhaps you've heard about most of them. But did you know that some vending machines can even take your restaurant order for you?
The "Shokken" (食券) refers to Japanese meal ticket vending machines, which are widely used in casual restaurants such as ramen shops and curry houses to speed up ordering and payment. It makes ordering your meal ever so convenient.
Customers purchase a ticket from a vending machine at the entrance by selecting their order and paying for their meal ticket. They then hand the ticket to a staff member and, a few minutes later, their food is served. It's revolutionary in terms of convenience for both the restaurant and the customer. You'd never think a vending machine would be used this way!
Final Thoughts
As you can see, vending machines aren't just your typical snack and drink machines. They can dispense everything from pizzas and ice cream to live crabs and art. And there are so many more around the world that we haven't even scratched the surface.
That just goes to show the versatility, creativity, and innovation behind vending machines. It's one of the reasons we love working with them, and why you should too.
At Snack Kingdom Vending, we help businesses and facilities find the right vending solutions for their spaces, from product selection to optimal machine placement.
If you'd like to explore what vending could look like in your location, reach out to Snack Kingdom Vending today to learn more about our full-service vending options.
