Microwave Popcorn Poppers

Microwave poppers are cheap and simple to use

Compared to popcorn poppers that use oil, microwave poppers are simpler and easier to clean. You place kernels in the bottom of a microwave-safe plastic bowl, cover, and microwave for two to four minutes (depending on your microwave's wattage). No matter which microwave popper you buy, reviews say you should cook the popcorn on reduced power and watch it closely in order to avoid scorching.

Reviewers are most impressed with the Back to Basics Microwave Popcorn Popper (*Est. $10), which they say is a breeze to use. This large, red bowl turns out crunchy, fluffy corn without oil, and leaves only a few kernels unpopped. This inexpensive popcorn popper is said to give off an unpleasant smell the first few times it's heated, but this doesn't affect the flavor of the finished snack.

Although it's not included in any professional reviews, we read numerous positive comments about the Nordic Ware 12-Cup Microwave Popcorn Popper 60120 (*Est. $10) at Amazon.com. One reviewer calls it wonderfully efficient and easy to use, and others rave about how the popcorn tastes. A number of reviewers note that the bowl becomes hot enough to burn fingers and takes several minutes to cool down enough to be handled.