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Popcorn Machine Review - Stainless Steel Stove Top Popcorn Popper

Author: Stephen Turner, for www.machinepopcorn.co.uk

You can pick one of these up for around $35, which makes it more expensive than the other popcorn machines reviewed in the 6-quart capacity popcorn machine range, namely the West Bend Stir 82306X Stir Crazy 6-Quart Popcorn Popper (around $30) and the Whirley Pop 6-Quart Hand-Cranked Stovetop Popcorn Popper ($22-25). For reasons of price alone, my eye was a little more critical during my preparation for this review than with the other two.

As with all 6-quart capacity popcorn machines, this product is designed to feed the whole family. The first comment to make is that being made of stainless steel, with sturdy stay-cool wood handles, this is a popcorn machine designed to last the distance, which is of course reflected in the price. (Contrast the Whirley Pop, also a stove top popcorn machine, but made out of cheaper aluminum). If you have read the other two reviews then you will know that your reviewer is of the old school and will always be a sucker for stove top popcorn for the taste it gives - and here we have popcorn machine which will go on giving that taste for years and years. The cranking rod works to ensure that all the kernels get popped, but keep an eye on things; all stove tops are prone to burning if you are not vigilante. The butter drip cup melts butter evenly onto the popcorn, and the taste - well, it's just like grandma used to make.

So what about the down sides - surely there must be some? Well yes, there is one. This popcorn machine is not the easiest to clean: I can see that after a while, oil is going to collect around the cranking mechanism. I think, however, that this is just one of the drawbacks of this type of design - a stove top with a cranking stirrer - rather than a true fault of this particular product (I did say I would only be a little more critical!).

In summary, if you want the best traditional tasting popcorn (which in my view only a stove top will give) then go for this popcorn machine. It will stay in service longer than the Whirley Pop and for only a little more money. If on the other hand you want ease of operation and cleaning, and modern performance and features - with good but not great tasting popcorn, then go for the West Bend Stir.