Popcorn has been a popular treat for thousands of years. It has been enjoyed by the indigenous peoples of ancient civilizations and colonial settlers as a tasty delicacy, as well as being used for rituals and ceremonial ornamentation. As time has progressed, so has our means of popcorn preparation and enjoyment.
There are some methods which are quick and easy, some that are healthier in comparison to others, some that are more affordable, and there are even methods of preparation that may even be deemed as inconvenient and unnecessary to the layman.
However, what may be a longer and more thorough process than typical mainstream means of preparing popcorn, is a dream come true for any popcorn enthusiast. I am, of course, talking about the electric oil popcorn popper!
Things to look for
Consistency
Don’t you simply hate it when you find a bed of unpopped kernels beneath a handful of deliciousness? It truly is disappointing! In scrutinizing these electric oil poppers we will take a look at the consistency with which they provide the user with virtually no unpopped kernels!
Aesthetic Appeal
The way into each and every one of our bellies, is through our eyes. We humans love pretty things. Especially when it comes to food!
This same rule of thumb is also applicable with appliances. What is more delicious than good-looking, great tasting popcorn? — Delectable popcorn that is made in a good-looking machine!
Quantity
It is always better to have more than you need, than not enough. Especially when it comes to popcorn! Whether you are preparing popcorn just for yourself, a party, movie night, or all three at the same time, it is important that you have enough popcorn for everyone — or just yourself!
Clean up
The worst part about eating is cleaning up afterwards. Luckily, the electric oil popcorn poppers are reflective of our disdain for cleaning up after ourselves and offers quick and painless clean up so that you can spend more time enjoying the popcorn and less time in the kitchen!
West Bend 82306 Stir Crazy
The West Bend 82306 Stir Crazy is a black, wok-shaped appliance with handles on the sides that allow for simpler transfer of popcorn without burning your hands, and it is equipped with a dome-shaped lid that is dual-purposed and serves as a bowl after the popcorn is popped!
Unlike the stovetop poppers that require you to turn the crank to enable the stirring mechanism, this wonderful machine comes with motorized stirring rods so that you don’t have to! On top of being convenient and automatic, it also efficiently ensures that each and every kernel pops without putting up a fight!
The Stir Crazy uses 1000 watts, and is applicable with North American Electrical Standards.
Available on Amazon, the Stir Crazy will provide you with up to 6 quarts of deliciously fresh popcorn in about 5 minutes! Though it technically takes a little longer than a hot-air popper or a microwavable popper, the amount of effort required is miniscule and you receive fresh, tasty popcorn with little to no hassle!
Oh, and did I mention it has a built-in butter well? Simply place however much butter you desire in the butter well in the top and it will drizzle your popcorn with sweet golden goodness, so you don’t have to!
You are probably thinking to yourself, “What’s the catch? Clean up must be a pain the butt…” Yet, if you are thinking this, then you are poorly mistaken. The Stir Crazy is complete with a nonstick coating, allowing for effortless clean up with the wipe of sponge or damp towel! It is so simple, it will drive you stir crazy!
Nostalgia SP660SS
The Nostalgia SP660SS is a stainless steel beauty of a popcorn machine that doubles-up as both a popcorn popper and a serving bowl! Simply turn the appliance upside down and remove the dual-purpose lid to enjoy your buttery, salty yum yums!
It also comes with vents which allow moisture to escape; leaving you with crispy, hot, crunchy corn for the whole family!
With a motorized stirring rod, you won’t have to worry about your popcorn getting charred or any kernels being left behind, and whatever toppings you choose to add to your popcorn will be evenly distributed! In fact, it allows for 25% more kernels to pop than many other popcorn makers!
The cooking-plate on the bottom is adorned with a nonstick coating which allows for quick and effortless clean up afterwards, and has heat-resistant, cool-touch handles so that you don’t have to burn your hands to eat your tasty treat!
You can get the Nostalgia SP660SS to enjoy 6-quarts of commercial quality popcorn in the comforts of your own home! And it isn’t just popcorn! The SP660SS also makes kettle corn, roasts nuts, and so much more!
Hamilton Beach Popcorn Popper
The Hamilton Beach Popcorn Popper comes in firetruck-red, and makes enjoying movie-theater-style popcorn fast, easy and insanely tasty!
It yields an impressive 6-quarts of savory popcorn in just minutes, and the transparent lid even doubles up as a serving bowl! Simply invert the appliance with the lid attached and put on the cap for the butter well and you are good to go!
With the butter well, you can put whatever amount of butter you desire in the top, and the heat from the cooking popcorn will melt it directly onto the kernels!
The Hamilton Beach popper contains a motorized stirring arm that rotates the kernels to prevent burning and ensure maximal popping potential, so that you always get the popcorn you deserve!
The cooking plate has a nonstick coating which makes for easy cleaning, and the popper base and cord both fit conveniently inside the lid for compact storage! However, while the cooking plate has a nonstick coating that enables you to effortlessly wipe it down, the rest of the popper is to be washed by hand with soapy water and the outside can be wiped down with a damp cloth.
The Hamilton Beach popper produces 6-quarts of delicious and ready-to-eat popcorn in just minutes, and provides you with the means to enjoy your favorite snack however you would like! Whether you want it full of sodium and saturated fats, smothered in caramel and molasses, or plain for a simple, healthy snack, the Hamilton Beach gives you 100% of the possibilities for only $25.86! Now that is a steal!
Presto 5204 Orville Redenbacher’s Stirring Popper
Orville Redenbacher’s Presto 5204 is chock-full of surprises that will surely keep you satisfied!
It is a deep black, pot-shaped appliance fully-equipped with an automatic stirring mechanism and transparent lid so that you can see the progression of your popcorn preparation every step of the way!
The bottom is coated in teflon to prevent burning kernels or pieces of heavenly debris from sticking. Though it doesn’t have an ‘on’ or ‘off’ switch, it still is very simple to operate and merely requires you to plug it in for beautiful melodies of popcorn ‘splosions, and to unplug it when your belly is full of goodness.
The Presto 5204 is also crafted with heat-resistant handles to allow for quick and easy transfer of delectable popcorn without the hassle of burning your hands and fingers! It too, has a butter well in the lid, allowing for easy topping distribution during the popping process!
With this 800 watt machine, you not only get deliciously tasty popcorn-heaven-crunch-puffs, but you also get Orville Redenbacher’s face smiling at you and encouraging you every step of the way, and you get it all on Amazon!
Nostalgia SP300 Retro Series
The Nostalgia SP300 is very similar to the other poppers of the brand, however, this version comes in a robust crimson with chrome strips that hug the outside of the popper and meet in the center around a ‘Retro Series’ logo — making it look like it came out of a time machine from the 1950s! How hip!
The SP300 is donned with a motorized stirring arm that allows for optimal quality, maximum popping potential, and little to no burning! It has vents in the lid that allow moisture to escape during the heating process, which ensures that your popcorn is dry, crispy, crunchy and full of flavor!
It yields 6-quarts of deliciously dangerous (because once you start, you just can’t stop) popcorn in about 5 minutes, and even gives you the option to make kettle corn, roast nuts, and many other kinds of goodies!
With cool-touch handles and a non-stick cooking plate, you can maneuver the appliance without burning yourself and clean it up after all is said and done with hardly any effort! The lid can also be used as a serving bowl when the popcorn is finished, which means less dishes to wash! I don’t know about you, but that sounds like pretty darn splendid to me!
For all of these great qualities, a retro design and sleek finish, you can get the Nostalgia SP300 for only $36.05 on Amazon! Now that is a great investment that will last you a lifetime!
Final Impression
While the time of preparation is a little longer than that of other styles of popcorn poppers, it seems that when you purchase an electric oil popper that you are investing in more than convenient timing.
When buying any of these popcorn makers, you are investing in quality popcorn, effective engineering, beautiful craftsmanship, and most importantly — an unforgettable experience!
Common Questions About Electric Oil Poppers
When choosing an electric oil popcorn popper, there are several factors to consider. These include consistency in popping all the kernels, aesthetic appeal of the machine, the quantity of popcorn it can produce, and the ease of clean-up. Evaluating these aspects will help you find the right popcorn popper for your needs.
Consistency in popping all the kernels is an important consideration. To minimize unpopped kernels when using an electric oil popcorn popper, ensure that the machine has a motorized stirring mechanism or stirring rods that evenly distribute heat and movement to all the kernels.
The design of an electric oil popcorn popper can enhance the overall experience. It may include features like a serving bowl lid, vents for moisture escape, or a retro appearance. All of the electric oil poppers I reviewed above work well, so – from a design perspective – it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
The quantity of popcorn a machine can produce is crucial, whether you are making popcorn for personal consumption or a gathering. Each of the machines are capable or producing a fair bit of popcorn in one go, but if you’re considering popping a bunch for a one off event, you might have to do several batches (which shouldn’t be an issue).
If you’re planning on popping large quantities on a regular basis, I might recommend getting a commercial popcorn machine that is specifically designed to do that.
Easy clean-up is an important consideration for many users. Typically all you need is a rag or paper towel and just wipe out the machine itself. The lids are typically washable and should be easy to clean using a bit of dish soap and water.