Background:: After a couple years of stomach related problems, I sought the advice of a nutritionist. She told me to cut processed foods out of my diet. One change involved giving up microwavable popcorn.
Instead, my hubby and I learned to make popcorn on to stovetop, using oil and a pot. We had been making it this way for over a year, but finally grew sick of having to use oil, and clean up the greasy mess. I asked my Mom for an air-popper for my birthday, and she picked up the Presto Poplite Popcorn Maker at
Bed Bath and Beyond About Presto: The Presto 04820 Poplite Popcorn Maker is sold for $24.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. Presto makes this product for the Orville Redenbacher Line, which is the same brand as our popcorn kernels. More information about this Presto Product and other Orville Redenbacher Products can be found online at: www.orville.com.
Description: The Presto Poplite Popcorn Maker has a white hard plastic base with clear transparent plastic cover and measuring cup. The measuring cup holds a half cup of popcorn kernels, and rests on the top of the cover. The measuring couple doubles as a way to warm up butter. The machine base is less than a foot tall. Although the cover adds height, when stored beside the base both fit easily in my cupboard.
The machine is 120 volts AC, 1440 watts. It air pops the popcorn using no oil, resulting in a healthier snack without the fat. Orville claims the Poplite Popcorn Maker will make up to 18 cups of light fluffy (non-burnt) popcorn.
Experience: We tested the Poplite Popcorn Maker by Presto out last night. Taking it out of the box it looked like the same popper I grew up with. It looks clean and easy to clean. As mentioned, it is clear for the top and white for the base; easily matching my kitchen decor.
I read the directions, which stated to fill the included measuring cup with kernels, pour them into the popper and plug the popper in. The directions also clearly read not to put more than a 1/2 cup into the popper. While the corn started up, I placed a little butter in the top measuring cup to melt. The kernels started dancing around almost instantly and I knew I was in for a treat. I placed a big bowl under the chute to collect my prize.
The kernels circulated in the chamber of the base for about a minute, about a dozen or more kernels shot out into the bowl unpopped. I wanted to throw them back in, but they were far too hot to do this.
I noticed the butter, in the lid tray had already melted and wanted desperately to remove it from the popper. Unfortunately, there was no way to move the butter as taking the container out would open the lid allowing popcorn to fly out the top.
The popcorn started popping down the shoot in big groups. I was tempted to tilt the machine to help it along, but thought this would affect the kernels below. As more popcorn popped, this pushed the popcorn down the chute and collected in the bowl. I could still here more dancing around so I did not shut it off immediately. More popped and then some stray kernels shot out and missed the humongous bowl completely. I unplugged the machine.
By this point, the butter was completely fried to oblivion, making it undesirable to put on the popcorn. In the future, I will either wait a minute or two to put the butter in its melting tray or will melt it in the microwave.
As for the popper, I had mixed feelings about the results. The amount of popcorn was poor; only about 8 cups worth were made in about 3 1/2 minutes and I had hungry movie watchers. I had to make a second batch before returning the movie, which frustrated me because I like having all the popcorn ready at once. As for the popcorn, it was amazing. It was fluffy, light, and utterly delightful with just its natural flavor. Having used microwave and stove top oiled popcorn making means for so long, I had forgotten how good popcorn looked and tasted when it was air popped.
Clean up: There is no need to clean the base of the popcorn maker, although a sponge can be rubbed around it to spot clean or dust. The lid and cup is dishwasher safe, although I cleaned it by hand. With the butter crusted to the tray, I had to soak it for a while before cleaning. During another use without butter, I found the cover and tray very easy to clean, as it did not have the greasy butter texture to it. After this use, I simply dusted it off, and once cool, put it away.
Final Thoughts: Overall, I found the Poplite Popcorn Maker by Presto somewhat of a nuisance. The cord is quite short and with limited counter space I had to search for an extension cord prior to use. There is no power switch and must be plugged in or unplugged to turn on and off. The melting tray is useless in timing perfectly melted butter with hot popcorn. Many kernels went unpopped and the amount made (with the maximum amount that could be put into the popper) was quite stingy for four people.
Despite these flaws, the flavor and the thought of a healthy snack made up for the other problems by a long shot. It was so nice to have fluffy air popped popcorn, bright white and light; naturally full of flavor.
I searched a long time online and in stores before asking my mother for this popper. With quick microwavable popcorn that is easy to make without a popper, there is not much of a demand anymore for air poppers. This was one of only a couple of poppers I found that popped by means of air, instead of using oil. And it was the only air popper available at Bed Bath and Beyond, which is one of the easiest stores to return things to when something goes wrong.
Considering this, if another option were available, I would gladly exchange this one for it. However, based on the limited air poppers available, I recommend this one. I can work around its problems and am happy to have freshly popped, natural, air popped popcorn.
