PrestoPoplite Hot Air Popcorn Popper, 18 Cups, Red

The media could not be loaded. This review is for the Presto Poplite Hot Air Popcorn Popper, 18 Cups, Red. The Presto Poplite Hot Air Popcorn Popper works well, you just fill up the included cup with popcorn seeds, place the seeds in the device. The cup needs to be placed back on top, and if you want you can place butter inside the cup, so when you turn the device on, the heat from the air will melt your butter. I found out this will only work with a little bit of butter (the butter I used was cold from the fridge), it would probably melt more butter if your butter was left out to get to room temperature. The kernel loss is minimal, and a full cup of kernels will yield you a large bowl of popcorn, so if you want less popcorn, put in less kernels. Overall, it is easy to use, clean, is fast, and limited waste, even reuses your hot air to melt a little butter to drizzle on, works well.

I love popcorn and also need to watch my weight. Microwave popcorn, even the lowfat options, still contains enough fat to make it an unhealthy choice. And popcorn made with oil or butter is also not a healthy snack. The great thing about a popper such as this is that it works completely by air and there is no added fat.I had an air popper for about 4 years. I would use it nightly. I use Orville Redenbacher kernels and I loved the fresh popped popcorn with just some salt but my machine would pop unpopped kernels out while it slowly filled my bowl. Luckily the machine went dead on me for I had to purchase a new one and I chose this one. I am speechless with how amazing it works. I use half the kernels I used to with my old popper to get even more popcorn. I followed some of the suggestions here and run it a couple of minutes to warm up, then I unplug it and add the kernels then plugging it in again. I leave the measuring cup off till the first pop and then put it on. Each time I use it only one unpopped kernel goes into the bowl and then every other kernel pops big and firm. It is such a joy to not have kernels flying all over the place. I also put a towel over the machine when it is finishing for some popped kernels may fly as the bowl fills to the brim.I have read some of the negative comments here. Some say the popcorn tastes like cardboard. That is not the fault of the machine but rather what popcorn without oil or butter tastes like. I don't think people realize just how fattening popcorn with the trimmings is. Also, cheap kernels are cheap kernels and will only pop so big no matter how good the machine works.I loved the tase of popcorn without butter right off the bat. For some it will take time to aquire the tase. But is is an amazingly healthy and filling very lowfat snack. It is a huge addition to my diet. And this machine works fast, leaves barely none unpopped kernels and comes with a 2 year warranty. Just don't leave it unattended with young children. The removable top from which the popcorn emerges becomes very hot when in use. It is not a problem with this machine but due to the hot air going thru the chute. The directions guide you and tell you to use potholders.This machine comes at a great price, is a high end item and works great. Highly recommend.

Well, it's a popcorn popper. It does what it's supposed to, and the popcorn turns out nice and not too chewy. Everything pops within a couple of minutes, so it doesn't take too long.It's weird that there is no on/off switch. You have to plug in the unit to start it, and unplug to stop it. But I can look past that.Butter seems to need more time to melt in the tray, but I suppose that's a side effect of the corn popping quickly. I just stir the butter some with a knife while it's melting to help speed it along, and that seems good enough to get it all melted in time. You can always opt to melt the butter on the stove.This unit throws unpopped kernels out of the chamber while running, and they end up on the counter top or on the kitchen floor. From what I'm reading, they all do that, so I may just get myself a deeper popcorn bowl to try to help contain the mess. I like this popper otherwise.

I tried this and the Whirley Pop stovetop popcorn maker. Both are highly recommended on various websites, like Wirecutter and Serious Eats. Both make popcorn in a few minutes.In the end, I prefer the Poplite. The Whirley Pop might make SLIGHTLY better popcorn, but even when alternating between bites of Poplite popcorn and Whirley Pop popcorn, I don't notice a big difference in the texture of the popcorn.The real difference is in convenience. A stovetop maker takes a little longer and then has to be cleaned more in-depth. As for the Poplite - use the built-in scoop, dump some kernels in, put a bowl in front of it, plug it in, then come back in a couple minutes and it's done. Wipe it down occasionally to clean. Super simple.As far as I know, this is the best popcorn maker out there. I use it and recommend it to others.It's not perfect. It is annoying that it turns on as soon as you plug it in. A switch or button would be better. Even better if it automatically shut off after, say, three minutes.Not all kernels get popped (although this does much better than the average person cooking on a stovetop). It's not a big deal to have a few kernels left in the bottom of the Poplite - it would be nice if it didn't spit out a few unpopped kernels into the bowl while it's warming up. Perhaps the fan should be off or at a lower speed until it warms up to a certain temperature.Perhaps the chute could be slightly longer. Perhaps the interior of the canister could be removed and run through the dishwasher for cleaning.Those are some minor nice to haves. But still, on the whole - really solid. Dead simple to use.