Presto 04820 PopLite Hot Air Corn Popper

I asked for this popper for Christmas based on all the good reviews it got. I have tried more than one brand of fresh, brand new kernels in this machine while following the directions to a "T". Every batch comes out chewy, not crunchy or fresh as it should. Even the bagged popcorn tastes less stale than popcorn freshly popped in this popper. I was looking for an alternative to microwave popcorn because of the reports lately that the bags release some kind of chemical into the popcorn and also that the microwave bags emit a chemical into the air when popping that can cause something called "popcorn lung" -- there is actually a lawsuit pending over this against Con Agra foods. Anyway, this popper did not end my search for a quality popcorn popper. I will stick to organic pre-popped popcorn you can find in the chip isle until I find one worth it's salt (and butter). A real shame. We'll be selling this popper at a charity garage sale in a couple weeks.

For 20 bucks and free shipping from Amazon (along with other SSS items) you just can't go wrong on this popper! Basic, easy, plug and go! The popcorn except for two kernels popped and they were light and fluffy. It tasted great because all we had was the butter we added and nothing additional like cooking oil. Much better than making it in a kettle or a microwave and less fat also.
We use Himalayan salt which has a clean flavor and it was super.
People that complain about a few at the end popping out crazy, well use a big enough bowl and face it towards the sink and no prob.
A+++!

If one were to solely rate this appliance regarding its ability to pop popcorn - give it 5 or 6 stars!

I've thought a great deal about this review and it is still a difficult one to write. Read on.

PROS:

1) Fast, reliable popping - in about 2 minutes you'll have a bowl full of popcorn. FASTER than even one of those microwave bags!!! (I didn't bother with any of the additional steps suggested by some reviewers yet I got near perfect popcorn)

2) Very few unpopped kernels - far fewer than what is left in a microwaved bag.

3) You can control your salt intake, fats, etc by selecting what you put on the popcorn

CONS:

1) Near tasteless popcorn (since no oil or other favorings are used to pop the popcorn)

2) The butter melter does not work. There is a removable cup at the top of the popper meant to liquefy (according to the manufacturer) NON REFRIGERATED BUTTER, MARGARINE, etc. My suggestion is to forget this feature. I don't really know what a "non-refrigerated" butter or margarine is and this feature will certainly not work with whatever spread, margarine or butter you happen to have in the refrigerator. I tried and the popper is so fast that they will not fully melt!

3) NO ON-OFF Switch. This is annoying. You turn the popper ON by plugging it in and turn it OFF by unplugging it.

4) The Popcorn is, at best, luke warm. Without an oil the popcorn comes out luke warm and rapidly cools, in seconds, to room temperature.

5) More cleanup. Unlike just munching out of a bag of microwaved popcorn you'll have a bowl and whatever container you used to prepare your topping in to clean. So there is a bit more work involved.

COMMENTS:

1) The "topping" you use will determine how useful this appliance is to you. You'll get near perfectly popped (yet tasteless) popcorn with this device. The problem is flavoring. Popcorn - popped without oil - is largely tasteless and even salt won't stick to it. I've experimented with Smart Choice margarine, placed in a small cream pitcher and microwaved with a 1/3 teaspoon of added salt. This was "OK" but not great. Toppings are the key factor and will determine whether you will like this popper or not. I'm still looking for a good topping! I welcome any suggestions (click on "comments" below this review) to add your suggestions.


As I said this is a difficult product to rate. It certainly pops popcorn extremely well but will you end up liking the final results???
That really is the question.

I am very happy with my popper. The popcorn turns out wonderful. Be careful of flying hot kernels towards the end, but overall works really well. Delivery was quick!

Overall the product is good, however there are too many "old maids" for my liking. The unpopped kernels are pushed up when the popped corn comes up the shoot. The shoot is so wide many strays are scattered all over my kitchen counter top.