Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)The biggest issue of this popper is that unpopped kernels tend to fly out of the container, like hot air poppers which blow many of the good kernels out. You should monitor it and shake the handle when popping starts to minimize waste. Quality gourmet popcorn like Orville Redenbacher's is a larger kernel and will yield bigger, fluffier popcorn per batch.
Naturally, you will have to wipe out the inside before the first use to get any dust and loose styrofoam out. Then rinse and dry the kettle, plug the kettle in, slip on the mount, and screw in the handle counterclockwise.
Instructions say to run the kettle empty 3-5 mintues just to heat up BEFORE you add 2 teaspsoons of oil and popcorn. The instructions get fuzzy at this point. It says, "... add _ cup of popcorn..." Cup of what? I called and found out just one scoop - equal to 1/4 cup. Don't double it or you risk burning and stuck kernels. It yields 2 quarts which is pretty good. Measuring spoons are provided for oil and popcorn, but no scoop. But the door and opening tray should make popcorn retrieval easy enough.
The sound of the motor spinning is much quieter than hot air poppers which sound like rattling blow dryers. This should let you make more popcorn mid movie with less distraction. This unit is more work for popcorn. However, we live with the trouble because we want theater quality popcorn, right?
As I understand, theater's use coconut oil. I use peanut oil because of the high burn temperature, it will never smoke and hydrogonate. You can make batch, after batch, of delicious popcorn, but sooner or later, you have to turn it off and clean the kettle. Unplug the unit, wait for it to cool, unscrew the handle, unplug the kettle and remove it. Then a nice soak in hot soapy water. Again, done for the love of popcorn.
There is even an overhead light to help you see the popcorn, but this appears to be an ordinary lamp. It is decorative and in no way keeps the popcorn warm. Just like the wheels which are decorative and do not spin.
The unit is fairly large, and takes up under 9 x 12 inches of counter space. Roughly 18.5" tall. Easily, twice the size of a hot air popper. Home theater owners won't mind the space, otherwise, you may need to make room.
It normally comes in the nostalgic classic red, but I have seen green available, and I bought mine in a pleasant black. Certainly, more trouble than normal for popcorn, but the quality is great.
Health conscious people may bally hoo the oil aspect, but that depends on how healthful an oil you use. Healthful fat in your diet, like olive and peanut oils, are better than no fat at all.
In short, if you are a popcorn lover who tires of the over salted bag popcorn, the dry hot air popcorn, or the burned microwave popcorn, this is for you. But, it's a lot more mess. Just remember to clean it regularly to keep it from smoking. Otherwise, start stocking up on Jiffy Pop.
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Nostalgia KPM-508 Old-Fashioned Kettle Popcorn MakerMake hot, fresh, delicious popcorn just like at the movie theaters with this easy-to-use carnival-style popcorn cart. The unit features a large 2-ounce stainless-steel kettle with a built-in stirring mechanism for even distribution and perfect hot-oil popping. It can produce up to a gallon of popcorn at a time, making it a fun accessory for fundraisers, birthday parties, and other social gatherings. For foolproof batches, a measuring spoon for oil and a measuring cup for popcorn kernels come included. The machine also provides separate switches for the motor and the interior light, a kernel catcher to keep out unpopped kernels, a 44-inch power cord, and a tempered window for safe viewing. To clean, hand wash with hot, soapy water and dry thoroughly. Reminiscent of the old-fashioned theatre-style popcorn carts, but in a smaller size that can fit on a countertop or table, the 350-watt hot-oil popcorn maker measures 19 by 10-1/2 by 12-1/2 inches and carries a 90-day limited warranty.
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