In case you’re attempting to determine one of the best popcorn machines, then you definitely’ve in all probability seen the crappy lists on-line.  They evaluate a bunch of residence popcorn machines and even if you learn the entire thing, you continue to do not know which one to purchase.

As a result of they’re assuming that you recognize which kind of popcorn machine to purchase and simply wish to evaluate completely different fashions.

This listing goes to be completely different.  

I’m going to put all of it out for you and enable you select a house popcorn machine that you’ll love ceaselessly even in case you have no concept the kind it is best to get.

I’m utterly certified to do that as a result of we’ve got an obsessive love of popcorn (we purchase it in 50 lb luggage from Amazon and have film nights at the least as soon as every week).  We’ve tried and examined all kinds of machines from uber-expensive and sophisticated to low-cost and simple.  We LOVE selfmade popcorn greater than absolutely anything else.

It additionally helps that I’m a budgeting and residential administration professional that focuses on educating simple residence routines to the hardest circumstances of power disorganization.

If you wish to do that proper, that you must do that in steps.

You recognize the previous saying?

You may get any two of those three issues…quick, low-cost or good… however not all 3.

This saying is VERY correct in popcorn machines. So to begin, we have to determine what you care about most.

Choice 1: You Care Most About Aesthetics.  

You need one thing you’ll be able to showcase.  

In case you’re constructing an epic media room or residence theater and dream of getting a popcorn machine prepared and ready to make theater-style popcorn for film night time, then your greatest wager for aesthetics is…

Quaint Popcorn Cart Machines – $200- $250

Nice Northern Popcorn Firm just about owns this house. They’ve a purple popcorn machine or a black popcorn machine with a classic look. Count on to pay about $225- $250.

Whereas Nice Northern is one of the best classic popcorn machine, they’ve a number of dupes ( knock off manufacturers that imitate a preferred model) on Amazon, like this one with 4.5 stars which are simply comparable.  However the nicely made dupes are solely saving you about $20 on a $250 product so I’d favor the reliability of the unique slightly than to danger a dupe.

You could find the Nice Northern Crimson Popcorn Machine right here…

You could find the Nice Northern Black Popcorn Machine right here…

Trace: Amazon costs above are usually decrease, however when you go on to the Nice Northern Website you’ll be able to take a look at a classic movie show popcorn machine in enjoyable colours like teal and pink.

These quaint popcorn carts are simple to make use of, you’ll be able to hold the cart and the provides (like a helpful measuring cup) within the media room straight within the storage compartment of the cart, and also you’ll solely spend a minute prepping earlier than the film to get your popcorn prepared. That is an easy-to-clean design, there’s no want for sinks, and so on.

They’ve storage beneath the cart for oil and popcorn and seasoning. You may purchase plastic buckets to serve the popcorn in like these however truthful warning – they suck.  They’ll fade shortly they usually’re a ache to scrub. Keep on with paper popcorn luggage to serve (you too can use paper lunch luggage for a less expensive and bigger choice.)

Plan to purchase pre-packaged comfort packs of oil/popcorn/salt for this machine.  You may DIY it your self, however then it’s a ache to measure cups of popcorn, and oil and so on. and not using a sink round to scrub your arms and cups. While you DIY it -this turns into the much less enjoyable choice of popcorn machines. 

That is the quaint popcorn machine we put in our FROG after we set it up as a house theater. It seemed superior… and made scrumptious popcorn that was a lifeless ringer for the stuff you get at a theater.

Upkeep

Upkeep on all popcorn machines (not simply this one) are insanely simple. You technically ought to wipe down the kettle with a moist material each time you utilize it. The kettle comes out simply on the Nice Northern machine to make this simple.  Most individuals don’t truly wipe it down each time however it is best to give it a superb wipe each now and again. Don’t ever wash it with cleaning soap and water. 

Value 

Issues to know: Shopping for pre packaged containers of popcorn is the least price environment friendly method to do that of the entire popcorn machines… however nonetheless a large financial savings versus shopping for microwave popcorn luggage or shopping for it in a movie show.

In a yr doing weekly film nights as soon as every week, we spent $99/yr utilizing this machine versus the machine we use now (a mixture of a Whirley Pop and a silicone popcorn maker) prices us $68 a yr (notice: that the popcorn we use now could be specialty, which is WAY higher than what you purchase in these packets).

Well being

Well being is the place this popcorn machine isn’t doing you any favors. In a yr we ate 19,240 energy on this popcorn versus what we do now with 4,680 energy a yr.

And the worst half? Is that the Whirley Pop (4,680 energy a yr) tastes considerably higher. 

Style

This can be equivalent to movie show popcorn, salty and actually buttery, not crunchy… however barely chewy.

Tabletop Model: In addition they make desk prime variations of this machine, however I’d skip until you’ve got a counter you place it on.  You may nonetheless count on it to price round $200 however you lose the storage of the cart and the power to maneuver it simply.  Plus, you’ll want to purchase or make one thing for it to sit down on.

My Opinion:

It seems to be actually superior and the popcorn is equivalent to movie show popcorn. If price range isn’t a difficulty, and also you don’t care concerning the further energy and also you’re seeking to degree up your media room, I believe this can be a nice alternative.

However for most individuals, hold studying as a result of we will do higher. 

Choice 2: You Care Most About Style –

Whirly Pop – $30

That is our trusty Whirly Pop- when you frequent thrift shops… you will discover them there when you look lengthy enough- however they’re additionally actually moderately priced and final ceaselessly. (Don’t purchase off brand- as a result of the costs aren’t a lot decrease they usually don’t final in any respect!)

In order for you one of the best popcorn on the planet, then there’s actually just one choice.

You want a Whirley Pop, which is a stovetop popcorn popper with a particular vented lid and a popcorn mixer constructed into the pot prime.

Years in the past, our good friend taught us the best way to make popcorn low and sluggish within the Whirley Pop.  These stovetop popcorn makers make insanely crunchy popcorn and THAT is how our total household went from considering popcorn is a factor you purchase on the movie show to “popcorn is life”. 

When it’s finished proper, it ought to have this snap if you pinch it.  That’s from the low and sluggish technique beneath.

It’s insanely crunchy and salty and “wholesome accidentally”. Which means, it’s not attempting to be wholesome… it simply occurs to be.

With a purpose to make popcorn like this,  you want a Whirley Pop.

Then observe these steps:

1. Put the Whirley Pop on a burner (chilly or off)
2. Add 12 oz of popcorn and a couple of oz of olive oil.
3. Flip the burner to the 4th notch and warmth (you could have to regulate larger or decrease as you do some trial and error- when you get your candy spot- mark it so that you bear in mind it)
4. Use the deal with on the Whirley Pop to swirl the recent oil and popcorn collectively.
5. Go away it for about 10 minutes to fifteen minutes, it’ll begin making popping sounds because the kernels pop after about quarter-hour.
6. After it begins popping, swirl the deal with to combine each minute or so till the popping slows to each two seconds.
7. Empty the Whirley Pop into a big metallic bowl (our good friend who taught us this swears this distributes the salt higher and I agree, although I do not know why)
8. Sprinkle with salt and blend it in.

The one method we’ve been in a position to get this insane taste, style, and snap is with the Whirley Pop,  nothing else comes shut.

Enjoyable reality: we go away leftover popcorn proper within the bowl to eat the subsequent day. We don’t even put a prime on it (although we would have liked to as soon as we bought cats, who additionally suppose popcorn is life).

The excellent news is…

• This technique is fairly low-cost (Whirley Pops are about $30).
• You should buy popcorn in bulk (purple popcorn, blue popcorn, and Woman Finger popcorn are my favorites… however Woman Finger is so small that it wants a special set of instructions… remark beneath when you want these).
• Popcorn is fairly wholesome.

This technique makes use of comparatively small quantities of olive oil and slightly salt. It’s method more healthy than microwave popcorn, movie show popcorn, or the comfort packs of popcorn that you just use within the media room popcorn machine (mentioned above).

The draw back of the Whirley Pop is…

• You simply can’t make sufficient popcorn in a single batch.
• It takes 20-Half-hour to make the popcorn and it’s so freaking good that you just’re going to desire a second batch, which takes one other Half-hour after which you must interrupt the film.
• You may work round that by making a number of batches earlier than the film, however we’re nonetheless speaking about an hour of semi-active work for 2 batches of popcorn which isn’t precisely sensible for most individuals.

Choice 3: You Care Most About Energy or Comfort. 

Our favourite mixture is utilizing the Scorching Pot (proper) which is a microwave popcorn cooker for on a regular basis popcorn and the Whirly Pop (left) for film nights.

Then we convey you to the quickest, simple strategy to pop popcorn. It takes method much less time than your different choices. It additionally makes wholesome popcorn, with the bottom energy. That is the final word of microwave popcorn makers and it’s the one we use and LOVE. The silicone popcorn maker. The best of the microwave poppers.

Right here’s the way it works…

• Fill the bowl to the within line with kernels.
• Add the tiniest sprint of olive oil (you’ll be able to measure it in order for you, it’s a few teaspoon or you’ll be able to simply wing it).
• Microwave it for two minutes and 30 seconds.

This popcorn is not going to have the snap, however it’s extraordinarily low in energy. You may add a twig of olive oil (we use a Misto bottle or simply some olive oil cooking spray) and you’ll prime with salt or popcorn seasoning (one of the best ones are bitter cream and chives, cheddar, or Chocolate Donut by Taste God).

When you have a media room and you’ve got the house so as to add a microwave, this can be a nice choice and a straightforward improve.  Then you definately’ll have popcorn in minutes proper within the media room.

This one bowl makes about the identical quantity because the Whirley Pop and makes for a simple cleanup.

Choice 4: What about Tabletop Air Poppers Popcorn Machines?

They’re not well worth the space for storing for my part, particularly when you’re coping with small kitchens with out a lot house. I’d slightly use the gadget house for Airfryers, On the spot pots, and crock pots. The style is just like the microwave silicone popcorn maker, however you want a bigger gadget and extra sophisticated steps (having to even get it out, and so on).

In order for you this anyway, one of the best rated electrical popcorn makers is Presto 04821 Orville Redenbacher’s Scorching Air Popper

Which must you purchase?

I’d 1000% advocate going with the Whirley Pop and the microwave silicone popcorn maker.  We’ve used them each for YEARS now, however at one time or one other, we’ve tried the entire above and also you actually can’t go mistaken with the whirley pop/silicone popcorn maker. .

For particular events or film nights:  when you’ve got the additional time, use the Whirley Pop. It takes slightly longer, however this would be the BEST popcorn you’ve ever had.  You’ll by no means return.

Want it quick: Use the microwave silicone popcorn maker.  It’s fast, simple and it makes scrumptious popcorn (with out the crunchy snap).

Better of each worlds: mix them:  In case you use the Whirley Pop for a film, you too can make a batch within the microwave silicone popcorn maker and blend the 2 collectively for a double batch. (It is a good choice for 4 ravenous individuals).

You can also make single servings and not using a machine.

You can also make one serving of popcorn in a brown paper lunch bag within the microwave with a little bit of oil.

Want Directions?  You could find them right here…

It’s not value it to us as a result of it will take a lot longer to make a bag for everybody and we’re heavy popcorn eaters. We would like extra popcorn, not much less.

You may bulk-order popcorn.

Amish Popcorn Firm is one of the best. You can begin by attempting a sampler pack.  This manner you’ll be able to strive smaller luggage of the completely different popcorn varieties (they style method completely different) and get an concept of those you want greatest.  As soon as you recognize what you want, then you should purchase a bulk order of your favourite.

We purchase popcorn in bulk in 50 pound luggage from amazon and hold it in a rolling hermetic meals container with a scoop).

Value Comparability For Specialty Popcorn vs Yellow Popcorn.

The world of popcorn is so a lot better when you get past these luggage of yellow popcorn you purchase from Walmart.

A 45 oz container of Orville Redinbachers yellow popcorn prices about $7.15 right here (insert eye roll to inflation right here).  So 50 lbs of that might run you about $192

Shopping for your favourite specialty taste from Amish Popcorn Firm in 50 kilos bulk (like this) runs about $90…

And the 50 kilos lasts you nicely over a yr.  So that you spend lower than half and get a lot better tasting popcorn.

Retailer Your Popcorn in An Hermetic Storage Container.

Clearly, we’re actually critical about our popcorn.   Over time, popcorn kernels can lose the moisture inside that make them pop.  This massive air tight storage container with a scoop is a simple storage answer which retains that from occurring and retains your kernels able to pop.

One other tremendous necessary lesson we discovered…

Don’t let a 50 pound bag of popcorn sit open in your pantry in case you have pets.

For Cats:  A bulk bag of popcorn seems to be like a large bag of cat litter and it’s possible you’ll not see or notice what’s occurred till it’s too late. Don’t ask me how I do know. Simply belief me on that. The rolling storage container and scoop is one of the best $30 funding ever.

For Canine:  Unpopped kernels are a choking hazard, which may additionally trigger dental and intestinal points.  When you have a curious canine who’s into every little thing, this might be a harmful (to not point out an costly) challenge.

Bulk Olive Oil

You too can seize olive oil in bulk (in case you have a Costco or Sam’s Membership Membership, they’ve higher costs than Amazon). In addition to cooking the popcorn in olive oil, we additionally use it in these Misto Oil sprayers to present your popcorn a fast spray. Somewhat oil makes for a scrumptious however not overpowering taste.

Form of like a wholesome model of movie show butter.

Greatest Popcorn Seasonings

Truthfully salt wins for my absolute favourite popcorn seasoning. Generally I add each salt and pepper.   However, there are a couple of different seasonings I like too.  Cheddar Cheese and Bitter Cream and Onion and this Chocolate Donut seasoning (which is miraculously low in energy) by Taste God.

In order for you one thing extra like a dessert popcorn and don’t thoughts the splurge in energy strive cocoa powder and confectionary sugar.

Take pleasure in!