Both formats sell food and drinks, but they work differently and suit different places.
A spiral machine dispenses from a chosen selection by dropping the item into a bin and suits packaged snacks and long-life drinks. A vending cooler lets customers take items themselves after payment, which allows meals, salads, and odd-shaped products.
Differences
- Spiral: items drop; cooler: customers take them.
- Spiral: snacks and drinks; cooler: meals too.
- Spiral: often cash and card; cooler: usually cashless.
- Spiral: fixed selections; cooler: flexible shelves.
When to choose which
Spirals suit short breaks and snacks. Coolers suit places where people need a meal. Often both stand side by side. The page on vending coolers (publisher's site) has examples.
Capacity
Capacity depends on the model and product size. The manufacturer provides the data.
FAQ
Which is cheaper to run? It depends on the range and site. Fresh products need more frequent deliveries.
Can a cooler replace a canteen? It can be an alternative where there is no canteen.