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Apr 25, 2024 · The best popcorn makers bring a tasty treat to your couch. Here are our favorite popcorn makers by price, quantity, and flavor.
- How We Tested
- Other Options We Tested
- What to Look For in A Popcorn Maker
- FAQs
- Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
This roundup combines results from three separate tests of popcorn makers, one with six electric machines, one with 10 microwave and stovetop models, and a third with 11 makers of all kinds. In each set of testing, we made two batches in each machine, following its included directions and using the maximum amount of popcorn. We measured the amount ...
Capacity
When it’s movie night, think about who you'll be serving—if you'll need just enough popcorn for a few friends or a whole horde of hungry kids. Most of the makers we tested have a capacity of half a cup of unpopped kernels, which doesn't sound like much but turns into as much as 18 cups popped. If you're going to be making a lot of popcorn, there are larger-capacity poppers, but you should also consider how easy it is to make multiple batches in a row. Some makers can dump out a load of popped...
Cooking Method
All you need to make popcorn is corn and heat, but there are a lot of ways to heat the corn, each with its own pros and cons. Air poppers use only hot air and work quite effectively at popping almost every kernel, but you can't add any oil, butter, or seasonings during cooking. Self-stirring electric and manual-stirring stovetop models both work in similar ways, constantly moving the corn as it cooks to ensure even heating and separate popped from unpopped kernels. These let you use any oils...
Cleaning
Making popcorn is a simple task without too much cleaning required. Few models are dishwasher-safe, but the worst you need to deal with is some grease that should wipe away with a soapy sponge. Electric poppers need special care, as you don't want to get any water in the motors and heating elements; check the manual for specific directions.
How do popcorn makers work?
The exact method of popping depends on the type of popcorn maker you buy, but they all heat up corn kernels to around 355 degrees, the point at which their husks burstand they turn into light, crunchy flakes. Self-stirring electric, stovetop, and movie theater–style popcorn makers use of hot oil to cook kernels and have a stirring arm that keeps them in motion to heat evenly, prevent burning, and separate popped from unpopped kernels. Hot air makers blow hot air through the kernels to both co...
How do you clean a popcorn maker?
First off, check the user manual for cleaning instructions for your specific model. Before cleaning, you should also be sure the machine is completely cool, turned off, and unplugged if applicable. The goal is to remove any grease and leftover bits of popcorn, but most machines don't need very serious scrubbing. Some models have dishwasher-safe parts, but if you have to wash them by hand, all you'll need is a sponge, soap, and water. With electric machines you can still wipe with a sponge, bu...
Do popcorn makers need oil?
Some, but not all. You need at least a little oil with a stovetop, self-stirring, or movie theater–style machine, as it helps transmit heat to the kernels more effectively. On the other hand, you should never use oil in an air popper; nothing but popcorn is supposed to go in its cooking chamber. With a microwave popcorn maker, you can use oil or not, though adding a teaspoon or so will help get more of the kernels to pop. Oil is used for cooking, but it can also contribute to flavor: Try cook...
The author of this piece, Collier Sutter, personally tested popcorn makers in our Lab to determine the best picks to recommend, replicating the same recipes and measuring specific data points. She also included insights from our freelance reviewers to get the home cook's perspective. This roundup was updated by Sharon Lehman, a home cook who happen...
Feb 15, 2024 · Whether you choose a crank-yourself stovetop model for movie theater-style popcorn, a microwave version that makes popping simple, or an electric version to plug in and go, there are...
- Samantha Lande
May 29, 2024 · We tested six popcorn makers to see which popped the best-tasting popcorn, had the fewest unpopped kernels, and were the easiest to set up and clean.
- Jesse Raub
- West Bend 82505 Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper: Best popcorn maker overall. This economical oil popcorn maker is a good can prepare 24 to 28 cups of great popcorn with virtually no burnt kernels in about four or five minutes.
- Cuisinart EasyPop Hot Air CPM-100: Best hot air popcorn machine. The Cuisinart EasyPop Hot Air CPM-100 lets you easily prepare 10 to 15 cups of oil-free, air-popped corn that tastes delicious and weighs in at a mere 30 calories per cup, which is perfect if you’re on a diet.
- Orville Redenbacher's Stirring Popper 05204: Best oil popcorn machine. The Orville Redenbacher's Stirring Popper 05204 by Presto is one of the best popcorn makers you can buy.
- Cuisinart Pop and Serve CTG-00-MPM: Best popcorn maker for microwave use. If you want fresh homemade popcorn without having to invest in a whole new appliance, we would suggest you try the Cuisinart Pop and Serve Popcorn Maker.
Mar 15, 2024 · Presto PopLite Plus Hot Air Popper at Amazon ($50) Jump to Review. Best Budget: Salbree Original Microwave Popcorn Popper at Amazon ($30) Jump to Review. Best Splurge: Great Northern Little Bambino Table Top Retro Popcorn Popper at Amazon ($140) Jump to Review. Best Stovetop: Wabash Valley Farms Whirley-Pop Popcorn Popper at Amazon ($40)
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Mar 1, 2023 · The best home popcorn makers and poppers from Cuisinart, Whirley Pop and Presto for microwave, air popped and stove top popcorn with or without oil.
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