hvarmit's Full Review: Presto 04820 PopLite Popcorn Maker
My daughter likes popcorn more than I do, and it's one of her favorite snacks. I buy the microwaveable popcorn packs (especially the smaller snack bags) because she likes to take it to pop at school during her snack time, but I don't really care for popping it often at home (I don't like the buttery aroma that fills the kitchen). We would sometimes buy the stovetop kind that is enclosed in foil in a pan (rises as it pops) for a bit of a novelty. But, I came across the Presto PopLite Popcorn Maker at Target (under $20) and it looked so similar to the popcorn maker I used as a kid, so for nostalgic reasons, I bought one. It making healthier popcorn (versus store bought microwaveable varieties) was just a bonus.
The Presto PopLite Popcorn Maker stands a little over a foot tall. It has a white base with a see-through yellow cover on top. On top of this cover is a cup that doubles as a measuring cup and a butter warmer (have not used it for butter as I do not like putting melted butter on popcorn). The way the cover is shaped, it appears it's for guiding the popped corn down into the bowl being used to catch the kernels. This 120-volt (1440 watt) machine is an electric "air-popper", and will pop the popcorn using no oil, which makes me feel better about giving it to my daughter because it has none of the bad fats and additives that come from using cooking oil. In fact, I'm completely in charge of what is added to this popcorn and what isn't. I use bagged unpopped kernels that can be found at almost every grocery store and mass merchandiser store (Orville Redenbacher is a favorite), and if preferred, season the popcorn myself after it is popped.
This popcorn maker has no ON/OFF switch, and instead is operated by plugging the unit into an outlet to turn it on (or unplug it to turn it off). So, I ready the PopLite before plugging it in. This is really not a big deal to me, but the one thing I do not like is that the cord is really short so I have to use it wherever an outlet is (instead of moving it to the island like I would like). I use the measuring cup to add whatever amount of popcorn I want to make, and then empty the contents into the maker(after removing the cover and then placing it back on when the kernels are added). The directions warn against putting more than 1/2 a cup of kernels into the maker at a time, which I haven't, but I would guess that if one did, the result would be flying unpopped (and hot!) kernels going everywhere outside of the machine. But, the there are claims that this machine will make up to 18 cups of popcorn. I have never ventured there though, and usually never make more than a couple of cups. After plugging in the PopLite, the kernels inside start to fly around and I always get quite a few stray kernels that pop out of the machine and into my bowl or onto the counter, unpopped. But, the unmistakable "Pop" sound of the popcorn happens in moments, and I get a bowlful of popcorn in no time at all. It's probably a good idea to use big (wide) bowls to collect the popcorn because it comes out all over the place (the shoot is a guide, but sometimes the popcorn will come out shooting sideways and miss the bowl completely). At first, it's only a few stray pieces that come out into the bowl, but it doesn't take long for a big rush of popcorn to edge it's way out of the machine. But, I always end up with a few pieces inside the machine that do not want to make their way out, so I usually give up waiting and just unplug the machine; a minor nuisance.
Cleaning the machine is really easy. The base can be wiped off to spot clean (after it cools), and the lid and measuring cup/butter warmer are dishwasher safe, but they clean easy enough by hand. I do not like that stray kernels go flying everywhere while this machine is on and I wish that could be fixed with this unit, but, the end result always seems worth it. The popcorn comes out a lot fluffier than the microwave variety, and I do prefer the taste, and the texture is a lot lighter (as is the fat and calories). I can make several cups in under 3 minutes, and now there's really no reason to say "No" to my daughter when she wants me to pop popcorn on our movie nights. Sometimes we still indulge in the buttery microwave variety because there's really "less steps" to get from unpopped kernel to popcorn in your lap with that method, but, my taste buds definitely prefer the popcorn made in the PopLite. There aren't very many options when it comes to machines like this, but since it is pretty inexpensive (and since I haven't had any malfunctions with mine), I would recommend it.
Handy measuring cup doubles as a butter melter;14 by 9 by 6-1/2-inch. Makes up to 18 cups in less than 2-1/2-minutes Produces virtually no unpopped ke...More at Amazon
Most popcorn makers use oil or butter to pop kernels of corn, including microwaves. The Presto Hot Air Popcorn Maker uses only hot air. Sure you can a...More at J&R Music and Computer World
this popular corn popper pops with hot air not oil for a healthy low-calorie treat. it offers a faster healthier and more economical choice than micro...More at UnbeatableSale, Inc.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2010 Shopping.com, Inc.