Electric popcorn makers offer speed, efficiency, and convenience. No more guesswork on heat settings to avoid burnt kernels. There are mainly two types: air poppers and stirring popcorn makers. We put three versions of each to the test to uncover the fastest, best-tasting, and easiest to use and clean.
The Standouts:
- The Best Popcorn Maker: Presto Poplite Hot Air Popper
This champ pops batches quickly, leaving very few unpopped kernels. It’s a breeze to clean with just a wipe of a cloth.
- Another Top Pick: Dash Hot Air Popcorn Maker
Slightly slower but still impressive, the Dash air popper offers tasty popcorn with minimal unpopped kernels.
- The Best Stirring Popcorn Maker: West Bend Stir Crazy Electric Hot Oil Popcorn Popper
For crispier popcorn, this stirring popper is a winner. It leaves no unpopped kernels and offers a lid that doubles as a serving bowl.
Testing Parameters:
- Popcorn Test: Popping 100 grams of kernels in each maker to gauge speed and leftover kernels.
- Taste Test: Sampling plain and salted popcorn from each maker for flavor, texture, and crispness.
- Butter Warmer Test: Checking how quickly butter melts in each maker’s warmer.
- Usability and Cleanup Tests: Evaluating setup ease, cleaning process, and any additional features.
Insights:
How They Work:
- Air Poppers: Use hot air to pop kernels, resulting in big, fluffy popcorn. They’re quick and easy to clean as they don’t use oil.
- Stirring Poppers: Mimic stovetop popping, resulting in crisper popcorn. They use oil for heat transfer and tend to be slower but offer a more robust flavor.
Efficiency:
- Air Poppers: Presto and Dash models popped quickly with few unpopped kernels.
- Stirring Poppers: West Bend and Dash models produced crispier popcorn but were slower.
Flavor and Texture:
- Faster makers produced bigger, fluffier, and tastier popcorn.
- Slower makers resulted in denser, starchier popcorn, though still enjoyable.
Butter Warmer Effectiveness:
- None of the models melted butter quickly. Butter distribution was also a challenge.
Cleanup:
- Stirring poppers were trickier to clean due to oil use. Air poppers were simpler, requiring just a wipe down.
Choosing Your Popcorn Maker:
- Look for speed, efficiency, minimal unpopped kernels, and easy cleanup.
Top Picks:
- Presto Poplite Hot Air Popper: Fast, efficient, and easy to clean.
- Dash Hot Air Popcorn Maker: Slightly slower but still a solid choice.
- West Bend Stir Crazy Electric Hot Oil Popcorn Popper: Crispy popcorn with no unpopped kernels, though cleaning requires more effort.
FAQs:
- Is an air popper worth it? Yes, for quick, consistent popcorn with minimal cleanup.
- Can you use butter with an electric popcorn maker? While they come with butter warmers, it’s better to melt butter separately.
- Is there a popcorn maker that doesn’t use oil? Air poppers don’t use oil for popping.
- Why is my popcorn chewy in a popcorn machine? It can get chewy if it steams too long. Turn off the machine promptly after popping.
With these insights, you can now enjoy perfectly popped kernels every time!
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