Who doesn't love popcorn for movie nights? Pre-packaged popcorn bags are convenient and easy to prepare, but they are full of butter, salt, and additives. Fortunately, with the help of a microwave popcorn popper, you can make a batch of popcorn in a few minutes. Since it works with or without oil, you don't even have to add any extra ingredients and the popcorn still turns out delicious.
After scouring the market, Cuisinart's Microwave Popcorn Maker took the top spot in our list of favorites. It has a venting lid that allows steam to escape so your popcorn stays crisp and yummy! There are eight more useful products on our list for you to consider, and we've also created a handy buying guide to help you make a decision.
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When choosing the best microwave popcorn popper, you'll need to consider factors such as the material of the product, its dimensions, and how much popcorn it can make.
Most popcorn makers are made of silicone, plastic, or glass. Take into consideration the strengths and weaknesses of each material before making a decision.
Among the three materials, silicone is the most frequently used one since it's heat- and stain-resistant, durable, and also dishwasher-safe for a quick and effortless clean. Moreover, some silicone products feature a collapsible design to help you save storage space.
Keep in mind that not all silicone products are created equal and some actually contain cheap dyes or excessive amounts of fillers. Many people suggest doing the pinch and twist test to check the silicone quality. The idea is that silicone cookware will retain its color when twisted, while "impure" products will display a white film.
Nonetheless, this is actually an urban myth. The only reliable way to verify the materials used is to directly ask the manufacturer for clarification and whether or not they perform FDA testing on the product. Usually, products made of FDA-approved, food-grade silicone are non-toxic and don't contain harmful substances.
Glass is highly heat-resistant and doesn't retain flavors, which makes it easy to clean and to maintain. On top of that, it doesn't impart any taste to the popcorn (unlike low-quality plastics.) If cared for properly, it can last for a long time.
However, glass popcorn makers are on the fragile side, so make sure to handle them with care.
Compared to silicone or glass popcorn makers, plastic ones are not as heat-resistant. Therefore, you should check the highest temperature that a product can withstand to make sure that it won't melt in the microwave.
Still, plastic popcorn poppers are a solid choice if you're looking for a lightweight and durable option that won't break or stain easily.
Popcorn poppers come with a lid to keep all the kernels inside the bowl instead of spilling all over your microwave. But make sure that the lid has some vent holes to allow steam to escape, thus keeping your popcorn crisp and delicious.
Some products boast a multi-functional lid that can serve as a tool for measuring popcorn kernels. Some lids can even be used to melt butter while the kernels are popping, so you don't have to melt butter separately and mix it in afterward.
Compared to stovetop or air poppers, microwave popcorn poppers tend to leave behind more unpopped kernels. To reduce this, you should go for a product with a wide and flat bottom since it will help the kernels to spread out and heat up more evenly.
Another important factor to keep in mind is how much popcorn a product can make per batch. The capacity of a product might vary from six to 12 cups.
For a single serving, a popcorn popper that produces around six to eight cups should be sufficient. However, if you're having a big party or a family gathering, choose a product that can accommodate up to 12 cups per batch.
Keep in mind that a large popcorn maker might not fit in your microwave, so take into consideration the dimensions of a product before making a purchase. On top of that, if you have a small kitchen and want to save space, you should opt for a product that has a collapsible design and can fold flat.
This popper can produce about 10 cups of popcorn and can collapse for convenient storage. It boasts a scalloped venting lid that enables moisture to escape and guarantee that the popcorn stays crisp and fresh. The wide, flat-bottomed construction allows kernels to spread out and heat up evenly.
A few people complained about burned popcorn, but most reviewers commented that the problem could be easily solved by adjusting the microwave time. Another solution that people suggested was to not overfill the bowl with kernels.
Meanwhile, for others, this popcorn maker worked well with or without oil and was easy to clean. They further mentioned that this maker left them with zero unpopped kernels.
Crafted from silicone, this popcorn maker is highly heat-resistant, durable, and easy to clean. It also folds down to about two and a quarter inches, so you can easily store it even inside a drawer. While it can be used dry, you can add a bit of oil or butter to make the popcorn more flavorful.
Some people noted that the bowl gave a silicone smell to the popcorn. Moreover, a few others said the smell of burned popcorn embedded into the container and was hard to get out. Nevertheless, the majority were happy with the sturdy construction of this product. They said that the popcorn cooked evenly and came out nice and fluffy.
This popcorn maker is made of BPA- and melamine-free plastic that is highly durable and heat resistant. You can even use this product in a conventional oven up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. And with this little gadget, you'll able to make roughly 12 cups of popcorn.
Some buyers noted that the bowl, especially the bottom part, got really hot in the microwave, so make sure to handle it with oven mitts.
On another note, a lot of buyers commented that this product popped evenly and produced light and fluffy popcorn even without any oil. They did notice some unpopped kernels but the amount was minimal. Cleanup was easy using the dishwasher.
With this plastic microwavable popper, you can make about 12 cups of popcorn with or without oil. It comes with a vented plastic lid that prevents moisture from accumulating to keep your popcorn crisp and delicious. It has a removable base and comes with a supply of eight paper cups for even popping.
However, some found the bowl extremely hot coming straight out of the microwave, and the handles were too small and hard to lift. Plus, they were not heat-resistant so people still had to use a potholder.
Still, many reviewers said it popped each batch quickly without burning. Besides being dishwasher-safe, it was easy to wash with some soap and water.
This popcorn maker yields up to 15 cups of popcorn and is designed with non-slip, heatproof handles for easy handling. On top of that, there are measuring marks on the silicone bowl, so you can make just the right amount every time.
Reviewers warned that this popcorn maker got really hot after each use and suggested letting it cool down before serving.
On the other hand, most people agreed that this product worked well with or without oil and didn't waste any kernels. They also found the measuring lines on the inside very useful. Another plus point for people was the collapsible design that helped save a lot of space in the cupboard.
This popcorn maker is made of borosilicate glass that doesn't impart any off-putting taste to your popcorn. It's protected in a silicone shell. You can use the versatile silicone lid to measure out the kernels. It can also be used to melt butter and distribute it evenly over the kernels during popping.
The main complaint some reviewers had was that this product took a long time to pop and there were still unpopped kernels left afterward. To ensure that all the kernels were popped, a few people recommended pre-heating the popper beforehand.
The majority of reviewers were satisfied with the fresh taste and crisp texture of the popcorn, and also loved the silicone handle that was cool to the touch.
Crafted from silicone that meets FDA standards, this popper is durable, stain-resistant, and won't give off a taste to your popcorn. In addition, the small size makes it fit into most microwaves easily.
A few reviewers noted that the product got very hot when done. Meanwhile, some found it too small for sharing and mentioned that it was enough for one person only.
Still, the majority of buyers found the product easy to use and further added that it was able to pop nearly all the kernels without burning. The popcorn also turned out crisp and fresh.
This popcorn maker is a bowl shape designed to distribute the heat evenly so that all the kernels are popped. The lid is constructed with vent holes so that all the steam can escape, leaving the popcorn fresh and crisp.
However, some say that the plastic lid melted after a few uses. Others complained that since the product didn't have any handles it was quite tough to remove the whole thing from the microwave.
Nevertheless, a lot of buyers were impressed with the sturdy construction of the product and also loved how it folded down flat to save storage space. In addition, it left very few unpopped kernels and didn't impart any chemical taste to the popcorn.
This microwave popcorn maker is made of silicone that is lab tested for durability and safety. It's LFGB certified, which is a German standard that's even more strict than FDA certification. It comes with detailed instructions and tips to make popcorn, is dishwasher-safe, and collapsible.
Some people complained that the silicone material absorbed smells, especially burnt popcorn, even after washing. It also discolored after a couple of uses and that was tough to wash off.
Nonetheless, a number of reviewers loved how quickly this popcorn maker worked. The size was also large enough for three to four people to enjoy. It popped nearly all the kernels, and for the unpopped ones, simply put them back for a few extra seconds of heating.
You're not alone. And if you're searching for ways to satisfy your craving, check our articles for some suggestions.
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