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Air Poppers Popcorn Makers

Cheapism
Mid-range
High end
$20
$30
$60
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In this review:
  1. Cheap Popcorn Machines, Best Popcorn Poppers
  2. Oil Popcorn Poppers, Stovetop Popcorn Poppers
  3. Air Poppers Popcorn Makers
  4. Best Popcorn Poppers
  5. Popcorn Popper Reviews
  6. Discount Popcorn Machines Features Comparison Table
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Popcorn Poppers Features (continued)

Hot Air Poppers.

Cheap air poppers range in price from about $17 to $30 and their features are nearly identical.

Air poppers require a power source (i.e., electricity) but no cooking oil. Just toss the recommended amount of popcorn kernels into a small cylinder, put on the lid, and wait to catch the hot popcorn in a large bowl as it blows out the chute. The Presto PopLite Hot Air Corn Popper (starting at $20, Amazon) churns out up to 18 cups of popped kernels in less than three minutes. Like most other air poppers, the Presto PopLite comes with a measuring cup for the kernels that sits atop the lid and can be used to melt butter as the kernels pop. The West Bend Air Crazy (starting at $26, Amazon) is another air popper that some users report enjoys a second life as a small coffee roaster.



Popcorn Poppers Safety.

Although a watched pot never boils, a watched popcorn maker is a necessity, especially in the low-priced end of the market. Many cheap air poppers and electric oil poppers lack an automatic shut-off feature -- the Kalorik PCM28276 Hot-Air Popcorn Maker (starting at $19, Amazon) being an exception -- so whoever is in charge must be vigilant. When the last kernels are just about ready to explode, turn off the popcorn maker or pull out the plug; the West Bend Air Crazy features an on/off switch but the Presto PopLite and West Bend Stir Crazy do not. None of the stovetop popcorn makers let you walk away from the stove; you must keep stirring until the popping stops. Although higher-end popcorn makers may allow for less focused attention, the entire process doesn’t take very long so it probably isn’t worth any extra cash for those few minutes of freedom. And when kids are involved, always make sure there’s adult supervision; stoves get hot and electric sockets can be shocking.

Popcorn Makers Clean-Up.

The more complicated a popcorn maker is, the harder it is to clean effectively. Cheap air poppers, like the Presto PopLite, only need a wipe down after each use. Stray pieces of popcorn can be brushed out but the plastic cover may need some soapy water, especially if you melt butter in the measuring cup. A quick wipe down for stovetop popcorn makers usually works despite the oil that’s required. The manufacturer’s specs for the Wabash Valley Farms Whirley Pop, for example, say no further cleaning is necessary if it’s used at least once a week. Cleaning the West Bend Stir Crazy is a bit more complicated. The plastic dome gets a soapy wash, the stirring rod must be unscrewed and washed, and the popper base also gets a swipe from a damp, soapy cloth or sponge: each piece must then be dried. The Cuisinart CPM-900PK (starting at $40, Amazon) is an electric oil popper like the West Bend Stir Crazy, but the popping base, stirring arm, and plastic popping cover are all dishwasher-safe.

by Maralyn Edid (Google+ Profile)

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Best Cheap Popcorn Poppers

Wabash Valley Farms Whirley Pop

 Read why »
Where to buy

Presto PopLite Hot Air Corn Popper

 Read why »
Where to buy

Good Cheap Popcorn Poppers

West Bend Stir Crazy Popcorn Maker

 Read why »
Where to buy
 
 
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Kalorik PCM28276 Hot-Air Popcorn Maker

For a hot-air popper, the Kalorik PCM28276 is certainly cheap enough, but its performance pales compared to similar models in the same price range. Users critique the end product and are irritated by its automatic shut-off, which interferes with popcorn popping sessions. Read more »

 
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