Presto 04863 Poplite Hot Air Popcorn Popper - Built-In Measuring Cup + Melts Butter, Easy to Clean, Built-In Cord Wrap, 18 Cups, Red

**Writing this while eating a bowl of popcorn**I have used this machine about a dozen times, and so far, it works great for me. It's quick- pops within 1-2 minutes, and produces light and fluffy popcorn.Though, It has a few quirks.Yes, kernels can fly out well before they pop. To combat this, I simply tilt the machine back SLIGHTLY to cause the kernels to fall backwards, instead of being forced out the exit. I do this until the I hear the kernels start to pop, then I set it flat.Yes, it does not have a switch. As soon as you plug it in, it's on. As long as you remember, and you prepare, it's not an issue. Easy fix- get a plug switch adapter. They're fairly inexpensive, and you can find them on this site.Lastly, the top (the shoot/exit) is plastic, and it gets hot! (Understandably) Be cautious when taking the top off. Again, as long as you are aware, it's not an issue.I do not use the butter scoop/warmer, so I cannot comment on that part. I spray with oil, if I do feel like using butter, I will melt on the stove separately- that's just my preference.Overall, I'm very happy with this product. It's pops corn fast, and cleanly, for a quick snack. The price wasn't bad either. I recommend. *thumbs up*

I use this at least once a day! it's easy to use and even easier to clean up. you MUST read the instructions!!!seriously, it's not that hard people.Put a full scoop, level it with a knife or finger, and dump the kernels inside - if you put too little or too much, it does NOT pop correctly.If you don't take 10 to 15 minutes for it to cool down in between batches - that is where you get the warping of the lid and scoop cup! I wouldn't use it with a busted outlet or anything like that - it is a polarized plug.The lid gets hot, obviously, and I wouldn't bother getting the kernels out of the bottom, until after it's cooled down. If you take off the lid, just after it's done, and leave it off too long - as it cools, it can warp.Plain and simple - if you can't read instructions or want to use it non-stop, don't buy this. To everyone else, I absolutely recommend this! The popcorn doesn't burn, it pops most of the kernels (depending on their freshness and quality - yes, it matters 100%).

Perfectly pops popcorn. It’s easy to use and works consistently well. Very quick to make a big bowl of popcorn. I don’t use the measuring cup as a butter melter, just too messy and not worth the clean up. But otherwise this is a cute, reliable air popper.

We love air popped popcorn with fresh melted butter and salt! No microwave popcorn could compare plus why eat all the additives. Easy to use and great price. Very few unpopped kernels. We love our air popper!

This popper is amazingly reliable. My 1st unit lasted 15 years (and was going strong when I gave it to a friend) and my 2nd unit just died tonight after 20+ years and it probably would've kept going except I accidentally over-loaded it. :( Note that this popper works just as well at 20 years old as it did when brand new. Now THAT is a good design.This popper is fast, extremely fast. Even my 20-yr old unit finished a batch in less than 3 minutes. Seriously, I suggest getting your flavorings ready before turning the unit on.If you fill the popcorn exactly to the line inside the popper, you get a perfect batch every time. You can use less kernels, but you get a few unpopped ones flying into your bowl. Tilting the machine back just a tad will also eliminate unpopped "flyers" if you use less than a full batch. You can even put in a little extra, barely covering the inside measuring line from side, but you'll have to jiggle the popper (e.g. tap it briskly a couple times) to get the kernels swirling. You see, the hot-air blower inside the unit swirls the popcorn, heating them evenly and quickly. If the kernels don't move, the bottom ones will start to burn and the machine will auto-shutoff. (And it stinks to the high heavens!)The popper works so well, don't bother using expensive popcorn. My favorite is Jolly Time which is cheap in the large bags (approx. 2 lbs). The Kroger store-brand of popcorn even works well, and it's dirt-cheap...a real blessing if you eat as much popcorn as I do. :D If you have a Trader Joe's nearby, their popcorn actually cooks with the fewest flopcorn* of them all, even if comparing to the hideously over-priced Orville Redenbocker popcorn.The machine never needs cleaning, either. When done, just tip it so any flopcorn (if any) pours into the waste basket. That's it. It's now ready for another batch. Now, if you try heating butter in the little cup that rests in the top of the unit's cover, THEN you'll have a bit of cleanup...but only that cup. (It's fine in the dishwasher, by the way.) I never use the cup because the unit finishes a batch of popcorn so fast, the butter never has enough time to melt! (And that's true even if you have your butter at room temperature.) Basically, if you want hot butter to pour onto your cooked popcorn, heat it in the microwave while your popcorn's popping. (You'll be much happier.)Tips.1. Use cheap popcorn as it cooks just as well as over-priced "gourmet" popcorn like the Orville Redenbocker brand.2. If you like salt, use powdered salt. Morton makes popcorn salt which works well, but you can also powderize your own with a good blender, food processor, or a good spice mill.3. To get salt or other sprinkled flavorings to stick to your popcorn, give short bursts of cooking spray onto your popcorn and quickly sprinkle a bit of flavoring onto it before it soaks into the popcorn. If you like a LOT of flavoring, spray a bit more and sprinkle faster and longer. :D4. Johnny's makes a great popcorn salt and a little goes a long ways. Regular powdered salt is cheaper and is just as good in my opinion (but my wife swears by it, hehe).5. For best results (i.e. the least amount of flopcorn), fill the unit just enough with popcorn so the fine line internal measuring line inside the heating chamber is covered. Tilt the machine back just a little (e.g. place a pencil, butter knife, or other .5" item) underneath the front of the popper's base until enough popped corn has filled the popping chamber; this keeps uncooked popcorn from flying out.6. If you put in just a little more popcorn so the internal measuring line is covered by 1 or 2 layers of kernels (AND jiggle the unit to make sure it starts swirling), you'll not only get a slightly larger batch of popcorn, but you won't have any unpopped popcorn flying out, even without tilting the unit.Note: The machine is a tad noisy when running. It's not really loud, just a little annoying. It's not a big deal, but I thought I'd mention it. For comparison, it's about as loud as a hairdryer on its lowest setting. It's maybe as loud as the fan on a microwave.Also note: Hot-air popped popcorn is dry. I mean dry. Really dry. Popcorn, in general, is dry, but popping it without oil/butter/etc. makes it as dry as dry can be, maybe drier. ;) If you put flavorings on it, you'll never never notice it, though. I thought hot-air neophytes might find this curious, though, maybe even a bit surprising. (I actually like it better.)* Flopcorn: The unpopped kernels remaining after popping a batch of popcorn.

This does air pop really fast and every kernel popped. However what I didn’t care for was that there’s no on or off button so the moment you plug it in it starts up. My first time using it I misjudged the size of bowl needed to catch the popcorn and it started overflowing and there was no way of turning it off or pausing except by pulling the cord. Another thing is, you’ll need a huge bowl to catch all the flying popcorn it shoots out. And as the bowl fills with popcorn all the forced air coming out the funnel starts blowing popcorn all over the counter. I returned it and opted for a different type of machine that contains all the popcorn within its own container.

This is a great value - easy to use and clean, pops every kernel, makes healthy air-popped corn, and kids are amazed by watching the popcorn fly out of the chute. We have bought extras for gifts.