When you’re making an attempt to determine the most effective popcorn machines, then you definately’ve most likely seen the crappy lists on-line. They evaluate a bunch of residence popcorn machines and even whenever you learn the entire thing, you continue to don’t know which one to purchase.
As a result of they’re assuming that you recognize which sort of popcorn machine to purchase and simply need to evaluate completely different fashions.
This checklist goes to be completely different.
I’m going to put all of it out for you and aid you select a house popcorn machine that you’ll love ceaselessly even in case you have no concept the sort you need to get.
I’m fully certified to do that as a result of we have now an obsessive love of popcorn (we purchase it in 50 lb baggage from Amazon and have film nights at the least as soon as per week). We’ve tried and examined all kinds of machines from uber-expensive and sophisticated to low-cost and simple. We LOVE home made popcorn greater than absolutely anything else.
It additionally helps that I’m a budgeting and residential administration knowledgeable that focuses on educating simple residence routines to the hardest circumstances of continual disorganization.
If you wish to do that proper, you should do that in steps.
You understand the previous saying?
You will get any two of those three issues…quick, low-cost or good… however not all 3.
This saying is VERY correct in popcorn machines. So to start out, we have to determine what you care about most.
Possibility 1: You Care Most About Aesthetics.
You need one thing you may exhibit.
When you’re constructing an epic media room or residence theater and dream of getting a popcorn machine prepared and ready to make theater-style popcorn for film evening, then your greatest guess for aesthetics is…
Quaint Popcorn Cart Machines – $200- $250
Nice Northern Popcorn Firm just about owns this area. They’ve a crimson popcorn machine or a black popcorn machine with a classic look. Anticipate to pay about $225- $250.
Whereas Nice Northern is the most effective classic popcorn machine, they’ve plenty of dupes ( knock off manufacturers that imitate a well-liked model) on Amazon, like this one with 4.5 stars which can be simply comparable. However the properly made dupes are solely saving you about $20 on a $250 product so I’d choose the reliability of the unique quite than to danger a dupe.
You could find the Nice Northern Pink Popcorn Machine right here…
You could find the Nice Northern Black Popcorn Machine right here…
Trace: Amazon costs above are typically decrease, however should you go on to the Nice Northern Web site you may try a classic movie show popcorn machine in enjoyable colours like teal and pink.
These quaint popcorn carts are simple to make use of, you may maintain the cart and the provides (like a useful measuring cup) within the media room straight within the storage compartment of the cart, and also you’ll solely spend a minute prepping earlier than the film to get your popcorn prepared. That is an easy-to-clean design, there’s no want for sinks, and so forth.
They’ve storage beneath the cart for oil and popcorn and seasoning. You’ll be able to purchase plastic buckets to serve the popcorn in like these however truthful warning – they suck. They’ll fade rapidly and so they’re a ache to clean. Keep on with paper popcorn baggage to serve (you can even use paper lunch baggage for a less expensive and bigger choice.)
Plan to purchase pre-packaged comfort packs of oil/popcorn/salt for this machine. You’ll be able to DIY it your self, however then it’s a ache to measure cups of popcorn, and oil and so forth. with no sink round to clean your palms and cups. Whenever you DIY it -this turns into the much less enjoyable choice of popcorn machines.


That is the quaint popcorn machine we put in our FROG after we set it up as a house theater. It regarded superior… and made scrumptious popcorn that was a useless ringer for the stuff you get at a theater.
Upkeep
Upkeep on all popcorn machines (not simply this one) are insanely simple. You technically ought to wipe down the kettle with a humid fabric each time you employ it. The kettle comes out simply on the Nice Northern machine to make this simple. Most individuals don’t really wipe it down each time however you need to give it a great wipe each every so often. Don’t ever wash it with cleaning soap and water.
Price
Issues to know: Shopping for pre packaged containers of popcorn is the least price environment friendly manner to do that of all the popcorn machines… however nonetheless an enormous financial savings versus shopping for microwave popcorn baggage or shopping for it in a movie show.
In a yr doing weekly film nights as soon as per week, we spent $99/yr utilizing this machine versus the machine we use now (a mix of a Whirley Pop and a silicone popcorn maker) prices us $68 a yr (word: that the popcorn we use now could be specialty, which is WAY higher than what you purchase in these packets).
Well being
Well being is the place this popcorn machine isn’t doing you any favors. In a yr we ate 19,240 energy on this popcorn versus what we do now with 4,680 energy a yr.
And the worst half? Is that the Whirley Pop (4,680 energy a yr) tastes considerably higher.
Style
This shall be similar to movie show popcorn, salty and actually buttery, not crunchy… however barely chewy.
Tabletop Model: Additionally they make desk high variations of this machine, however I’d skip until you’ve a counter you set it on. You’ll be able to nonetheless count on it to price round $200 however you lose the storage of the cart and the power to maneuver it simply. Plus, you’ll want to purchase or make one thing for it to sit down on.
My Opinion:
It seems actually superior and the popcorn is similar to movie show popcorn. If price range isn’t a problem, and also you don’t care in regards to the additional energy and also you’re trying to degree up your media room, I feel this can be a nice selection.
However for most individuals, maintain studying as a result of we are able to do higher.
Possibility 2: You Care Most About Style –
Whirly Pop – $30


That is our trusty Whirly Pop- should you frequent thrift shops… you’ll find them there should you look lengthy enough- however they’re additionally actually fairly priced and final ceaselessly. (Don’t purchase off brand- as a result of the costs aren’t a lot decrease and so they don’t final in any respect!)
In order for you the most effective popcorn on the earth, then there’s actually just one choice.
You want a Whirley Pop, which is a stovetop popcorn popper with a particular vented lid and a popcorn mixer constructed into the pot high.
Years in the past, our pal taught us the best way to make popcorn low and gradual within the Whirley Pop. These stovetop popcorn makers make insanely crunchy popcorn and THAT is how our complete household went from pondering popcorn is a factor you purchase on the movie show to “popcorn is life”.
When it’s achieved proper, it ought to have this snap whenever you pinch it. That’s from the low and gradual methodology beneath.
It’s insanely crunchy and salty and “wholesome by chance”. That means, it’s not making an attempt to be wholesome… it simply occurs to be.
With the intention to make popcorn like this, you want a Whirley Pop.
Then observe these steps:
- Put the Whirley Pop on a burner (chilly or off)
- Add 12 oz of popcorn and a couple of oz of olive oil.
- Flip the burner to the 4th notch and warmth (you might have to regulate increased or decrease as you do some trial and error- when you get your candy spot- mark it so that you keep in mind it)
- Use the deal with on the Whirley Pop to swirl the new oil and popcorn collectively.
- Depart it for about 10 minutes to fifteen minutes, it’ll begin making popping sounds because the kernels pop after about quarter-hour.
- After it begins popping, swirl the deal with to combine each minute or so till the popping slows to each two seconds.
- Empty the Whirley Pop into a big steel bowl (our pal who taught us this swears this distributes the salt higher and I agree, although I don’t know why)
- Sprinkle with salt and blend it in.
The one manner we’ve been in a position to get this insane taste, style, and snap is with the Whirley Pop, nothing else comes shut.
Enjoyable reality: we go away leftover popcorn proper within the bowl to eat the following day. We don’t even put a high on it (although we wanted to as soon as we acquired cats, who additionally assume popcorn is life).
The excellent news is…
- This methodology is fairly low-cost (Whirley Pops are about $30).
- You should purchase popcorn in bulk (crimson popcorn, blue popcorn, and Woman Finger popcorn are my favorites… however Woman Finger is so small that it wants a special set of instructions… remark beneath should you want these).
- Popcorn is fairly wholesome.
This methodology makes use of comparatively small quantities of olive oil and slightly salt. It’s manner more healthy than microwave popcorn, movie show popcorn, or the comfort packs of popcorn that you simply use within the media room popcorn machine (mentioned above).
The draw back of the Whirley Pop is…
- You simply can’t make sufficient popcorn in a single batch.
- It takes 20-Half-hour to make the popcorn and it’s so freaking good that you simply’re going to need a second batch, which takes one other Half-hour after which it’s a must to interrupt the film.
- You’ll be able to work round that by making a number of batches earlier than the film, however we’re nonetheless speaking about an hour of semi-active work for 2 batches of popcorn which isn’t precisely reasonable for most individuals.
Possibility 3: You Care Most About Energy or Comfort.


Our favourite mixture is utilizing the Scorching Pot (proper) which is a microwave popcorn cooker for on a regular basis popcorn and the Whirly Pop (left) for film nights.
Then we carry you to the quickest, simple technique to pop popcorn. It takes manner much less time than your different choices. It additionally makes wholesome popcorn, with the bottom energy. That is the last word of microwave popcorn makers and it’s the one we use and LOVE. The silicone popcorn maker. The best of the microwave poppers.
Right here’s the way it works…
- Fill the bowl to the within line with kernels.
- Add the tiniest sprint of olive oil (you may measure it if you’d like, it’s a couple of teaspoon or you may simply wing it).
- Microwave it for two minutes and 30 seconds.
This popcorn won’t have the snap, but it surely’s extraordinarily low in energy. You’ll be able to add a twig of olive oil (we use a Misto bottle or simply some olive oil cooking spray) and you’ll high with salt or popcorn seasoning (the most effective ones are bitter cream and chives, cheddar, or Chocolate Donut by Taste God).
You probably have a media room and you’ve got the area so as to add a microwave, this can be a nice choice and a straightforward improve. You then’ll have popcorn in minutes proper within the media room.
This one bowl makes about the identical quantity because the Whirley Pop and makes for a simple cleanup.
Possibility 4: What about Tabletop Air Poppers Popcorn Machines?
They’re not well worth the space for storing for my part, particularly should you’re coping with small kitchens with out a lot area. I’d quite use the gadget area for Airfryers, Prompt pots, and crock pots. The style is just like the microwave silicone popcorn maker, however you want a bigger gadget and extra sophisticated steps (having to even get it out, and so forth).
In order for you this anyway, the most effective rated electrical popcorn makers is Presto 04821 Orville Redenbacher’s Scorching Air Popper
Which do you have to purchase?
I’d 1000% advocate going with the Whirley Pop and the microwave silicone popcorn maker. We’ve used them each for YEARS now, however at one time or one other, we’ve tried all the above and also you actually can’t go improper with the whirley pop/silicone popcorn maker. .
For particular events or film nights: when you’ve the additional time, use the Whirley Pop. It takes slightly longer, however this would be the BEST popcorn you’ve ever had. You’ll by no means return.
Want it quick: Use the microwave silicone popcorn maker. It’s fast, simple and it makes scrumptious popcorn (with out the crunchy snap).
Better of each worlds: mix them: When you use the Whirley Pop for a film, you can even make a batch within the microwave silicone popcorn maker and blend the 2 collectively for a double batch. (This can be a good choice for 4 ravenous folks).
You can also make single servings with no machine.
You can also make one serving of popcorn in a brown paper lunch bag within the microwave with a little bit of oil.
Want Directions? You could find them right here…
It’s not price it to us as a result of it might take a lot longer to make a bag for everybody and we’re heavy popcorn eaters. We would like extra popcorn, not much less.
You’ll be able to bulk-order popcorn.
Amish Popcorn Firm is the most effective. You can begin by making an attempt a sampler pack. This manner you may attempt smaller baggage of the completely different popcorn varieties (they style manner completely different) and get an concept of those you want greatest. As soon as you recognize what you want, then you should purchase a bulk order of your favourite.


We purchase popcorn in bulk in 50 pound baggage from amazon and maintain it in a rolling hermetic meals container with a scoop).
Price Comparability For Specialty Popcorn vs Yellow Popcorn.
The world of popcorn is so significantly better when you get past these baggage of yellow popcorn you purchase from Walmart.
A 45 oz container of Orville Redinbachers yellow popcorn prices about $7.15 right here (insert eye roll to inflation right here). So 50 lbs of that might run you about $192
Shopping for your favourite specialty taste from Amish Popcorn Firm in 50 kilos bulk (like this) runs about $90…
And the 50 kilos lasts you properly over a yr. So that you spend lower than half and get significantly better tasting popcorn.
Retailer Your Popcorn in An Hermetic Storage Container.
Clearly, we’re actually severe about our popcorn. Over time, popcorn kernels can lose the moisture inside that make them pop. This massive air tight storage container with a scoop is a simple storage resolution which retains that from occurring and retains your kernels able to pop.
One other tremendous vital lesson we realized…
Don’t let a 50 pound bag of popcorn sit open in your pantry in case you have pets.
For Cats: A bulk bag of popcorn seems like a large bag of cat litter and it’s possible you’ll not see or understand what’s occurred till it’s too late. Don’t ask me how I do know. Simply belief me on that. The rolling storage container and scoop is the most effective $30 funding ever.
For Canine: Unpopped kernels are a choking hazard, which may additionally trigger dental and intestinal points. You probably have a curious canine who’s into the whole lot, this might be a harmful (to not point out an costly) challenge.
Bulk Olive Oil
You may as well seize olive oil in bulk (in case you have a Costco or Sam’s Membership Membership, they’ve higher costs than Amazon). In addition to cooking the popcorn in olive oil, we additionally use it in these Misto Oil sprayers to provide your popcorn a fast spray. A bit oil makes for a scrumptious however not overpowering taste.
Sort of like a wholesome model of movie show butter.
Finest Popcorn Seasonings
Truthfully salt wins for my absolute favourite popcorn seasoning. Generally I add each salt and pepper. However, there are a number of different seasonings I like too. Cheddar Cheese and Bitter Cream and Onion and this Chocolate Donut seasoning (which is miraculously low in energy) by Taste God.
In order for you one thing extra like a dessert popcorn and don’t thoughts the splurge in energy attempt cocoa powder and confectionary sugar.
Take pleasure in!
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