Popcorn Poppers That Use Oil

Stovetop and electric popcorn poppers use oil to add flavor

Popcorn poppers that use oil come in two basic types: electric and stovetop models. Both cook up flavorful popcorn that's higher in calories than air- or microwave-popped corn. Old-fashioned stovetop models are cheaper than electric popcorn poppers, but they can be tricky to put together and tougher to clean.

Nevertheless, one popular model, the Whirley Pop Popcorn Popper (*Est. $25) from Wabash Valley Farms, receives rave reviews. It comprises an aluminum saucepan with a hinged lid and a wood-and-metal crank, and it works just like a saucepan, heating the kernels until they expand and pop. The crank (operated by hand) operates a stainless-steel stirring mechanism that rotates the kernels around in the pan, preventing scorching. This stovetop popcorn popper can be used over just about any heat source, including a camping stove. Most professional reviewers are partial to this entertaining device. Popcorn takes just four minutes to pop and comes out so light and crunchy that The Wall Street Journal's testers in their 2003 review "couldn't stop eating" it, and in another review for The Wall Street Journal, testers say it's easy to clean. The vast majority of owners posting to Amazon.com say that the Whirley Pop makes up to 24 cups of great-tasting popcorn quickly and easily, but we read a number of complaints about its flimsy plastic gears and thin aluminum construction.

One foodie magazine agrees and also cites the Whirley's risky stirring rod (which is sharp and can pose a cutting risk during cleaning). Even owners who are happy with the Whirley Pop say that its multiple parts make it somewhat difficult to clean -- and it's not dishwasher-safe. The Whirley carries a 25-year warranty that covers all moving parts (although you'll have to pay shipping and handling charges). In general, the Whirley Pop is a rather expensive popcorn popper for occasional use. If you eat popcorn more frequently, you may want to invest in a sturdier, more moderately priced product like the Presto PopLite Hot Air Corn Popper (*Est. $20).

The plug-in electric West Bend 82306 Stir Crazy 6-Quart Popcorn Popper (*Est. $40) earns both the highest and the lowest ratings in two professional reviews. Users put oil and kernels in its nonstick bottom, then turn on the heat. This domed plastic popcorn popper, with a 24-cup capacity, has a metal stirring rod that agitates kernels. The Wall Street Journal testers admit that while the Stir Crazy is messy, it boasts "excellent temperature control" -- keeping heat at a low, even temperature to produce perfect kernels -- and an "ingenious" design (with a plastic lid that serves a dual-purpose: butter-melter and serving bowl).  Their testers couldn't get enough of the flavorful popcorn it churned out.

Slate.com's reviewer, on the other hand, found the design of the West Bend popcorn popper "cumbersome" and the unit to be "inconvenient" and inefficient. What's worse, popcorn came out chewy instead of crisp. To settle the matter, we turned to Amazon.com, where we found more than 500 reviewers giving this popcorn popper above-average reviews. In fact, more than 300 of them give it the highest possible rating. Most owners call this popper fast and easy to clean, but there are a few durability issues: We found a few reports of flaking Teflon, bent stirring rods, broken handles and even malfunctioning heating elements. Even owners who like this popcorn popper say that the bowl's exterior can become too hot to the touch. West Bend also makes a different, more elaborate model, the West Bend 82386 Kettle Krazy (*Est. $50), which can be used for roasting, glazing or toasting nuts in addition to popping popcorn.