The smell of popping corn on the stove or the beep of the microwave letting you know your popcorn is ready – few things beat settling in for movie night with a fresh bowl of hot, fluffy popcorn. But traditional stovetop and microwave popcorn methods often require oil, butter, or other unhealthy additives. If you’re looking for a quick, easy way to enjoy lighter popcorn at home, a microwave popcorn popper may be the solution.
Microwave popcorn poppers promise no-fuss popcorn popping with just a few kernels and hot air. But do these appliances deliver crunchy, delicious popcorn worthy of your favorite cinema snack? Are they a kitchen gadget worth buying or just another overly specific appliance destined to gather dust?
In this post, we pop through real customer reviews and test some top-rated microwave poppers. We’ll compare features, pop time, ease of use, and taste to rank the best microwave popcorn poppers. Read on to decide if this handy appliance can really produce healthy, irresistible popcorn worthy of movie theater quality, or if you’re better off sticking with tried and true stovetop methods. Your ideal movie night snack awaits!
Microwave popcorn poppers are convenient, inexpensive, and eco-friendly devices that can make popcorn in minutes without using oil or butter. They are easy to use and clean, and can produce fluffy and crispy popcorn with your choice of seasoning. However, they may not be very durable, consistent, or versatile, and some models may contain BPA or other harmful chemicals.
What are microwave popcorn poppers?
Microwave popcorn poppers are containers that can pop kernels in the microwave using hot air or steam. They are usually made of plastic or silicone, and have a lid that allows steam to escape while preventing the popcorn from spilling out. Some models also have handles for easy handling, or a measuring cup for portion control. Microwave popcorn poppers can pop up to 15 cups of popcorn in a few minutes, depending on the size and power of the microwave.
What are the advantages of microwave popcorn poppers?
Microwave popcorn poppers have several advantages over other types of popcorn makers, such as:
- Convenience: Microwave popcorn poppers are very easy to use. You just need to add the kernels to the container, cover with the lid, and place it in the microwave. No need to preheat, stir, or monitor the popping process. You can also add your favorite seasoning before or after popping.
- Cost-effectiveness: Microwave popcorn poppers are relatively cheap compared to other types of popcorn makers. You can find a good quality microwave popcorn popper for under $20. You can also save money by buying bulk kernels instead of pre-packaged microwave popcorn bags that may contain artificial flavors, preservatives, or trans fats.
- Eco-friendliness: Microwave popcorn poppers are reusable and reduce waste. You don’t need to buy or throw away paper or plastic bags that may end up in landfills or oceans. You also don’t need to use oil or butter that may contribute to greenhouse gas emissions or deforestation.
- Healthiness: Microwave popcorn poppers can make popcorn without using oil or butter, which can lower the calories, fat, and sodium content of your snack. You can also control the amount and type of seasoning you add to your popcorn, such as salt, sugar, herbs, spices, cheese, or chocolate. You can make your own healthy and delicious combinations that suit your taste and dietary needs.
What are the disadvantages of microwave popcorn poppers?
Microwave popcorn poppers also have some drawbacks compared to other types of popcorn makers, such as:
- Durability: Microwave popcorn poppers may not last as long as other types of popcorn makers. Some models may crack, warp, melt, or break after repeated use or exposure to high temperatures. Some users have reported that their microwave popcorn poppers stopped working after a few months or even weeks.
- Consistency: Microwave popcorn poppers may not produce consistent results every time. Some kernels may not pop fully or evenly, resulting in burnt or unpopped kernels. Some models may also leave behind a lot of moisture or condensation in the container, making the popcorn soggy or chewy.
- Versatility: Microwave popcorn poppers may not offer as much versatility as other types of popcorn makers. Some models may only work with specific types or brands of kernels, while others may not be compatible with certain microwaves. Some models may also have limited capacity or functionality, such as not having a butter melting feature or a temperature control.
How do microwave popcorn poppers compare to other types of popcorn makers?
There are many types of popcorn makers available on the market, such as air poppers, electric oil poppers, stovetop poppers, and microwaveable bowls. Each type has its own pros and cons depending on your preferences and needs. Here are some of the main differences between microwave popcorn poppers and other types of popcorn makers:
- Air poppers: Air poppers are devices that use hot air to pop kernels without using oil or butter. They are similar to microwave popcorn poppers in terms of convenience, cost-effectiveness, eco-friendliness, and healthiness. However, they may be more durable, consistent, and versatile than microwave popcorn poppers. They can also produce larger batches of popcorn in less time.
- Electric oil poppers: Electric oil poppers are devices that use oil and electricity to heat and stir kernels in a metal or plastic container. They are different from microwave popcorn poppers in terms of convenience, cost-effectiveness, eco-friendliness, and healthiness. They may be more durable, consistent, and versatile than microwave popcorn poppers, but they also require more oil, electricity, and cleaning. They can also produce richer and more flavorful popcorn, but with more calories, fat, and sodium.
- Stovetop poppers: Stovetop poppers are devices that use oil and heat to pop kernels in a metal pot or pan. They are similar to electric oil poppers in terms of convenience, cost-effectiveness, eco-friendliness, and healthiness. However, they may be more durable, consistent, and versatile than microwave popcorn poppers. They can also produce larger batches of popcorn in less time.
- Microwaveable bowls: Microwaveable bowls are containers that can pop kernels in the microwave using hot air or steam. They are similar to microwave popcorn poppers in terms of convenience, cost-effectiveness, eco-friendliness, and healthiness. However, they may be less durable, consistent, and versatile than microwave popcorn poppers. They may also require more supervision and experimentation to find the optimal popping time and power level.
Conclusion
Microwave popcorn poppers are convenient, inexpensive, and eco-friendly devices that can make popcorn in minutes without using oil or butter. They are easy to use and clean, and can produce fluffy and crispy popcorn with your choice of seasoning. However, they may not be very durable, consistent, or versatile, and some models may contain BPA or other harmful chemicals.
If you are looking for a new way to make popcorn at home, you should consider your budget, your cooking habits, your kitchen space, and your personal taste before choosing a microwave popcorn popper or another type of popcorn maker. You should also read the reviews and ratings of different models and brands to find the best one for you.
We hope this post has helped you learn more about microwave popcorn poppers and their pros and cons. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. And if you liked this post, don’t forget to share it with your friends who might be interested in kitchen appliances and food safety.