Should you’re attempting to determine the very best popcorn machines, you then’ve in all probability seen the crappy lists on-line.  They examine a bunch of dwelling popcorn machines and even once you learn the entire thing, you continue to do not know which one to purchase.

As a result of they’re assuming that you realize which kind of popcorn machine to purchase and simply need to examine totally different fashions.

This checklist goes to be totally different.  

I’m going to put all of it out for you and make it easier to select a house popcorn machine that you’ll love ceaselessly even in case you have no thought the sort you need to get.

I’m utterly certified to do that as a result of now we have an obsessive love of popcorn (we purchase it in 50 lb luggage from Amazon and have film nights not less than as soon as every week).  We’ve tried and examined all kinds of machines from uber-expensive and complex to low cost and straightforward.  We LOVE do-it-yourself popcorn greater than absolutely anything else.

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

If you wish to do that proper, you might want to do that in steps.

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.

Possibility 1: You Care Most About Aesthetics.  

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

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

Quaint Popcorn Cart Machines – $200- $250

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

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

You’ll find the Nice Northern Purple Popcorn Machine right here…

You’ll find the Nice Northern Black Popcorn Machine right here…

Trace: Amazon costs above are usually decrease, however for those who go on to the Nice Northern Web site 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 preserve 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 possibly can purchase plastic buckets to serve the popcorn in like these however honest warning – they suck.  They’ll fade shortly and so they’re a ache to clean. Follow paper popcorn luggage to serve (you may also use paper lunch luggage for a less expensive and bigger possibility.)

Plan to purchase pre-packaged comfort packs of oil/popcorn/salt for this machine.  You possibly can DIY it your self, however then it’s a ache to measure cups of popcorn, and oil and so on. with no sink round to clean your palms and cups. If you DIY it -this turns into the much less enjoyable possibility of popcorn machines. 

That is the quaint popcorn machine we put in our FROG once we set it up as a house theater. It regarded 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 fabric each time you employ it. The kettle comes out simply on the Nice Northern machine to make this simple.  Most individuals don’t really wipe it down each time however you need to give it an excellent wipe each infrequently. Don’t ever wash it with cleaning soap and water. 

Price 

Issues to know: Shopping for pre packaged containers of popcorn is the least value environment friendly approach to do that of all the popcorn machines… however nonetheless an enormous 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 (be aware: 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 will probably be an identical 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 except you could have a counter you place it on.  You possibly can nonetheless count on it to value 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 take a seat on.

My Opinion:

It seems to be actually superior and the popcorn is an identical 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 trying to degree up your media room, I feel it is a nice alternative.

However for most individuals, preserve studying as a result of we are able to do higher. 

Possibility 2: You Care Most About Style –

Whirly Pop – $30

That is our trusty Whirly Pop- for those who frequent thrift shops… yow will discover them there for those who 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 and so they don’t final in any respect!)

If you would like the very best popcorn on the planet, then there’s actually just one possibility.

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 buddy 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 once 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.

In an effort 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 greater or decrease as you do some trial and error- when you get your candy spot- mark it so that you keep in mind it)
4. Use the deal with on the Whirley Pop to swirl the recent oil and popcorn collectively.
5. Depart 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 buddy 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 approach we’ve been capable of get this insane taste, style, and snap is with the Whirley Pop,  nothing else comes shut.

Enjoyable reality: we depart leftover popcorn proper within the bowl to eat the subsequent day. We don’t even put a prime on it (although we wanted to as soon as we received cats, who additionally assume 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 Girl Finger popcorn are my favorites… however Girl Finger is so small that it wants a special set of instructions… remark beneath for those who want these).
• Popcorn is fairly wholesome.

This technique makes use of comparatively small quantities of olive oil and somewhat salt. It’s approach 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 need a second batch, which takes one other Half-hour after which it’s a must to interrupt the film.
• You possibly can 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 reasonable for most individuals.

Possibility 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 carry you to the quickest, simple option to pop popcorn. It takes approach much less time than your different choices. It additionally makes wholesome popcorn, with the bottom energy. That is the last 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, nevertheless it’s extraordinarily low in energy. You possibly can add a twig of olive oil (we use a Misto bottle or simply some olive oil cooking spray) and you may prime with salt or popcorn seasoning (the very best ones are bitter cream and chives, cheddar, or Chocolate Donut by Taste God).

If in case you have a media room and you’ve got the area so as to add a microwave, it is a nice possibility and a simple 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.

Possibility 4: What about Tabletop Air Poppers Popcorn Machines?

They’re not definitely worth the cupboard space for my part, particularly for those who’re coping with small kitchens with out a lot area. I’d reasonably use the gadget area for Airfryers, Instantaneous 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).

If you would like this anyway, the very best rated electrical popcorn makers is Presto 04821 Orville Redenbacher’s Scorching Air Popper

Which do you have to purchase?

I might 1000% suggest 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 all the above and also you actually can’t go unsuitable with the whirley pop/silicone popcorn maker. .

For particular events or film nights:  when you could have the additional time, use the Whirley Pop. It takes somewhat 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:  Should you use the Whirley Pop for a film, you may also make a batch within the microwave silicone popcorn maker and blend the 2 collectively for a double batch. (This can be a good possibility for 4 ravenous folks).

You may make single servings with no machine.

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

Want Directions?  You’ll find them right here…

It’s not value it to us as a result of it could 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 possibly can bulk-order popcorn.

Amish Popcorn Firm is the very best. You can begin by attempting a sampler pack.  This manner you’ll be able to attempt smaller luggage of the totally different popcorn varieties (they style approach totally different) and get an thought of those you want finest.  As soon as you realize 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 preserve it in a rolling hermetic meals container with a scoop).

Price Comparability For Specialty Popcorn vs Yellow Popcorn.

The world of popcorn is so significantly 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 properly over a yr.  So that you spend lower than half and get significantly better tasting popcorn.

Retailer Your Popcorn in An Hermetic Storage Container.

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

One other tremendous vital lesson we realized…

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 an enormous bag of cat litter and you could 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 the very best $30 funding ever.

For Canine:  Unpopped kernels are a choking hazard, which might additionally trigger dental and intestinal points.  If in case you have a curious canine who’s into all the things, this may very well be a harmful (to not point out an costly) situation.

Bulk Olive Oil

You may also 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. Slightly oil makes for a scrumptious however not overpowering taste.

Form of like a wholesome model of movie show butter.

Greatest Popcorn Seasonings

Actually 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.

If you would like one thing extra like a dessert popcorn and don’t thoughts the splurge in energy attempt cocoa powder and confectionary sugar.

Get pleasure from!