Popcorn Makers Buying Guide
Today, most people think of making popcorn 
as putting a bag in the microwave for three minutes and waiting for the popping to stop. While this is easy and convenient, some people still enjoy making it in more of an "old fashioned" way, by popping it on the stove or in a popcorn maker , which allows you to salt and butter to your taste.
Types
There are two kinds of popcorn makers available for home use -- hot air and oil poppers . No matter which you choose, popping your own corn is both fun and economical.
| Hot Air Poppers |
|
- Using just hot air, these machines allow you to make fat and salt free popcorn, which makes for a healthy snack. A cup of plain, air-popped popcorn has only 31 calories, is low in fat, and even has some fiber to boot!
- You can control how much butter, oil, salt or other toppings go into a given batch of popcorn.
- Many hot air poppers are relatively inexpensive -- some cost as little as $20. An air popper and a jar of regular popping corn can produce many cups of popcorn at a cheaper price than the microwaveable bags, and with fewer unpopped kernels . If you eat a lot of popcorn, a hot air popper will very rapidly start saving you money!
|
| Hot Oil Poppers |
|
- Oil poppers use heated oil or fat to cook the popcorn.
- You can try your hand at a stove top popper , the oldest method of popping corn still used today. This is also the most difficult, as it is hard not to burn the popcorn.
- Other models use electricity and sit on a counter top.
- You can control the amount of toppings that go into a batch of popcorn, just as you can with an air popper.
- Despite the added fat calories, oil-popped corn is still a fairly healthy snack.
- Oil poppers are in the same price range as hot air poppers, usually around $20 to 50.
|
Retro Models
Alternatives
There are a few microwave poppers which are basically plastic bowls with lids designed specifically for popping corn. You can add the right amount of popcorn and flavorings and throw it in the microwave for a few minutes. You can also manage with a brown paper bag and a single staple. Directions can be found here.
Other Things to Consider
Cooking method is the main factor in deciding which popcorn maker to buy, but there are other features to think about as well.
- Efficiency: Will the popper cook all of the corn that you put in?
- Speed: What volume of popcorn can it produce in a given amount of time?
- Size: Will you be able to store it easily? Does it make enough popcorn to suit your needs?
- Ease of cleaning: Does it come apart? Is any part of it machine washable?
- Extra features: Do you want a melted butter compartment? Will it shut off automatically? Is it an attractive model?
Related Products
Related Guides
Leave Your Comments, Questions, Opinions!
