You’ll must determine in order for you an electrical or microwave popcorn maker. For microwave popcorn, you possibly can theoretically simply use a plastic bowl with a canopy as a substitute of a devoted popcorn maker, however the product we selected to characteristic is collapsible and effectively designed for the aim.
How one can use a popcorn maker
To make sufficient popcorn for 2 individuals you’ll want 60-80g of kernels. For electrical popcorn makers, you merely add the acknowledged measurement of kernels to the chamber. Activate the machine and run for the beneficial time (round 3 minutes). If the popping stops beforehand, flip off the gadget at this level. The instruction booklets let you know how lengthy to go away your popcorn maker earlier than the following use, often round 10 minutes. Microwave popcorn makers typically comprise a plastic bowl and lid which once more you run for the beneficial time. Neither electrical nor microwave popcorn makers are inclined to require oil.
Extra like this
When you’ve made your corn, that’s the time so as to add your flavourings. A drizzle of melted butter and salt is a simple addition. You at all times add this to your serving bowl, to not the chamber you’re cooking the corn in, until in any other case acknowledged. We have got loads of popcorn recipes to get you began, together with brown sugar and cinnamon-glazed popcorn, spiced chilli popcorn and rosemary, garlic & chilli popcorn. Should you can resist consuming all of it immediately, you can too get inventive together with your popcorn – attempt our almond, raisin and popcorn path combine, add it to rocky street or use it as a garnish on this restaurant-quality panna cotta and popcorn dessert.
We examined a wide range of electrical and microwave popcorn makers, plus a nifty little choice for campers. Learn on to study extra in regards to the totally different popcorn makers in the marketplace and our high suggestions.
For over 400 purchaser’s guides, go to our product assessment part and discover critiques of the finest smoothie makers, finest meals processors, finest blenders and far more.
Finest popcorn makers to purchase at a look
- Joint finest all-round popcorn machine: Lakeland electrical popcorn maker with bowl, £39.99
- Joint finest all-round machine: Joe & Seph’s The Popcorn Maker, £40
- Finest compact popcorn maker: Sensio popcorn maker, £24.95
- Finest in your countertop: Giles & Posner popcorn maker, £23.99
- Finest eco popcorn machine: Progress electrical popcorn maker, £19.99
- Finest for serving extra individuals: VonShef retro popcorn maker, £26.99
- Finest microwave popcorn maker: Housewares collapsible popcorn popper, £11.99
- Finest for tenting or firepit: Kikkerland Huckleberry popcorn maker, £18
Finest popcorn makers to purchase 2023
Lakeland Electrical Popcorn Maker with Bowl
Execs:
- Simple to assemble & use
- Comes with measuring cup and bowl
- Enticing look
- Clear instruction booklet
- 1-year assure
Cons
- Bowl creates bigger footprint
- Wire positioned on one facet so could restrict the place you select to place it
Star score: 5/5
This popcorn maker comes with a really engaging shiny end within the conventional pink. The arrange and directions had been so easy, we had our first bowl of popcorn prepared in only a few minutes. Popping time is acknowledged as round 3 minutes however we discovered it nearer to 90 seconds. The highest of the machine turned highly regarded so it was vital to make use of an oven glove to take it off to be able to take away the bowl. The prompt time for cooling in between batches is 10 minutes. It was nonetheless barely heat after this time. We did nonetheless do the second batch after the beneficial time with out problem. Only some kernels remained unpopped which is to be anticipated and only some popped kernels escaped on the finish. All in all, this was a clean course of with negligible mess.
Product specs
Degree measuring cup 70g (and max capability is 80g)
28.5 x 29 x 30.5cm. Wire 75cm. 1200W.
Supplies: plastic with steel elements
Accessible from:
Lakeland (£39.99)
Amazon (£39.99)
Joe & Seph’s The Popcorn Maker
Execs:
- Simple to assemble & use
- Comes with measuring cup and bowl
- Enticing look
- Clear instruction booklet
- 1-year assure
Cons
- Bowl creates bigger footprint
- Wire positioned on one facet so could restrict the place you select to place it
Star score: 5/5
This seems to be the identical because the Lakeland product, the one distinction being the color and the instruction booklet. The Joe & Seph’s choice is a lovely gray versus the colourful Lakeland pink so it boils all the way down to your kitchen aesthetic. The booklet included diagrams which was a pleasant contact for added readability. Of their directions, they counsel leaving the product for 20 minutes between popping which does permit for whole cooling, though when you’re letting children do that, bear in mind the product does get scorching the place the air emerges from the highest. This machine solely comes with a 1-year assure.
Product specs
Degree measuring cup 70g (and max capability is 80g)
28.5 x 29 x 30.5cm. Wire 75cm. 1200W.
Supplies: plastic with steel elements
Accessible from:
Joe & Seph’s (£40)
Robert Dyas (£39.99)
Sensio house popcorn maker
Execs
- Simple to assemble & use
- Small footprint
- Measuring cup and recipes included
- Popping chamber seen with out eradicating lid
- 2-year assure
Cons
- On/off change not labelled
Star score: 4.5/5
Neat and engaging, this popcorn maker has a small footprint making it ideally suited to tuck away within the cabinet between makes use of. It doesn’t include a bowl however that contributes to its storability. The Sensio can pop as much as 80g of corn utilizing a stage measuring cup. We popped 60g in 1 min 45. The measuring cup doubles because the lid of the machine and since it’s fabricated from clear plastic, it’s potential to view the popping chamber to see when the machine is completed, though as with all machines if the popping stops it’s time to change off even when there are just a few kernels left.
The on/off change isn’t marked, so it’s finest to change it off on the wall in addition to the machine to make sure you haven’t left it on. This machine additionally will get scorching on the high however as a result of a bowl just isn’t connected, there’s no want to the touch it till it cools. It’s beneficial to go away 10 minutes earlier than making a second batch. There’s a visual seam on the back and front of product which barely detracts visually. The recipes within the instruction booklet are a pleasant addition. We tried the rocky street popcorn boulders which had been simple to make and a tasty deal with.
Product specs
Degree measuring cup 80g (and max capability is 80g)
13.5W x 22 x 31.5 cm approx. Wire approx 75cm. 1200W
Supplies plastic with steel elements
Accessible from:
Amazon (£24.95)
Sensio (£24.99)
Giles & Posner popcorn maker
Execs
- Simple to make use of
- Accessible in two fairly pastel colors, plus pink
- Small footprint
- Enticing form and elegance
- Beneficiant twine size at 1m+
- Light-weight
- 2-year assure
Cons
- Barely smaller capability
- Extra unpopped kernels
- Want to ensure the chute and machine are aligned
Star score: 4/5
The dimensions, form and selection of colors make this a lovely addition to your kitchen counter. We particularly liked the look of the mint inexperienced sorbet mannequin. There have been extra unpopped kernels left behind than among the different machines but it surely’s nonetheless efficient and the worth is nice. A warning sticker recommending that the product be left for 10-12 minutes between makes use of was a bit tough to take away, however didn’t depart a mark.
Included within the field is a quick-start information which incorporates the whole lot it’s essential to know. Much less can positively be extra and additional information is offered on-line do you have to want it. The measuring cup doubles as a lid and holds 60g of kernels, nonetheless sufficient for 2, however much less generously than some machines. It is advisable make sure the chute is aligned, in any other case popcorn flies out onto the counter.
Product specs
Degree measuring cup 60g (and max capability is 60g)
17 x 16 x 31 cm approx. 1m+ flex. 1200W
Supplies: Plastic with steel elements
Accessible from:
Progress electrical popcorn maker
Execs:
- Simple to assemble and use
- Light-weight
- Small footprint
- ‘Purchase me and plant a tree’ eco initiative
- Packaging completely recyclable
- Measuring cup
- 3-year assure
Cons:
- Extra unpopped kernels
- Chute is decrease than among the others
Star score: 4.5/5
This one had the least packaging and while you purchase the product, they plant a tree too. The directions are minimal however clear, with additional data and a few recipes obtainable on-line.
It is advisable guarantee you will have a bowl that matches beneath the lip of the chute to keep away from flying popcorn. There was additionally extra unpopped corn than the Lakeland and Sensio machines. Nonetheless, we liked the scale of this popcorn maker, ideally suited for a small kitchen and the worth is nice, too. We’ve added factors for the model’s environmental issues.
Product specs
Degree measuring cup 70g (max capability 70g)
Supplies: Plastic with steel elements
15.5 x 15.5 x 28.5 cm approx. Wire 76 cm approx. 1200W
Accessible from:
VonShef retro popcorn machine
Execs:
- Measuring cup
- Six cardboard popcorn holders
- Bigger capability – 160g kernels
Cons
- Flying popcorn
- Want a giant bowl for giant portions
- Extra unpopped corn
Star score: 4.5/5
That is the most suitable choice for a film night time with pals or household as you may pop a beneficiant quantity for 4 individuals in a single go. There was a little bit of flying popcorn because the bowl fills up and you’ll need a really huge bowl when you plan to pop for 4. There’s a lid that doubles because the measuring cup but it surely’s shallow so not fairly as handy as a scoop.
The instruction booklet provides numerous languages and is simple, with diagrams. This machine had probably the most unpopped corn on the finish and flying popcorn however that is partly on account of its larger capability.
Product specs
Degree measuring cup 160g (max capability)
29cm x17cm x 15cm approx. Wire 77cm approx. 1200W
Supplies: Plastic with steel elements
Accessible from:
VonHaus (£29.99)
Amazon (£29.99)
Kikkerland Huckleberry popcorn maker
Execs:
- Transportable
- No want to attend between makes use of
- Recyclable/sustainable supplies
- Minimal packaging
Cons
- Picket knob on high weak to burning and steel discolours
- Small capability
Star score: 4/5
This diminutive little popcorn maker packs a stunning punch. It recommends utilizing 2 tbsp (round 20g) of kernels, though we discovered utilizing half of that (1 tsbp), plus half the beneficial oil crammed the chamber to most as soon as popped with no remaining kernels and no burned corn. Utilizing the total quantity didn’t permit us to pop all of the corn and there was some burning.
In impact it makes one small portion of popcorn however out of all of the popcorn machines the outcomes had the fullest, most attention-grabbing flavour and the very best crunch.
With out making an attempt this, you may suppose it is a novelty merchandise but it surely works so effectively and is enjoyable to make use of. When having fun with a night over an open hearth exterior, you may take it in turns to reload the chamber and there’s no want to attend between makes use of.
It’s simple to slot in a rucksack if you wish to take it with you on a tenting journey. It is advisable discover a appropriate stick for the deal with which you’ll screw the chamber onto. You’ll additionally want an oven glove or persist with flick off the highest to entry the popcorn.
Product specs
Max capability 20g (2 tbsp)
19cm x 10.5cm x 9cm cm approx
Supplies: Metallic with wooden
Accessible from:
A Place For Every part (£18)
Amazon (£28.75)
Housewares collapsible popcorn popper
Execs:
- Environment friendly
- BPA-free
- No mess or flying popcorn
- The maker is a bowl
- Collapsible so very space-saving
- Lifetime guarantee
- Low-cost
Cons:
- It could be BPA-free however heating plastic just isn’t ideally suited
- Remaining kernels
Star score: 4.5/5
That is the simplest of all of the popcorn makers. Merely pour a 3rd of a cup of popcorn into the machine with a teaspoon of salt, placed on the lid and microwave on full energy for 3 minutes, turning it off earlier if the popping stops. You may add oil when you like however you don’t must (we didn’t) and identical to that you simply’ve bought freshly popped corn within the bowl. Care must be taken when eradicating the lid on account of steam.
This popcorn maker didn’t depart probably the most kernels however there have been greater than the Lakeland, Joe & Seph’s and Sensio Residence.
The collapsible bowl is good for space-saving and when you hold the field it is available in, you possibly can simply stand it on its facet, leaving a tiny footprint in your cabinet.
The directions are on the field and there’s no further packaging aside from the field by which the product sits snugly. In fact, when you order it off Amazon, it’ll are available in a much bigger field as effectively.
Product specs
Max capability: 80g
21 x21 x7cm, collapses to 5cm peak
Supplies: BPA-free and PVC-free silicone
Accessible from:
Amazon (£11.99)
How we examined popcorn makers
We put all of the popcorn makers to the check by cooking 60g of kernels, until this was past or considerably beneath the capability. We repeated this after the beneficial cooling interval.
We additionally examined the popcorn makers in opposition to the next standards:
Ease of use: Popcorn makers are usually quite simple to assemble and use. We ensured these we selected ticked these containers and that the instruction booklet included easy at-a-glance directions for arrange, utilization and cleansing.
Effectivity: We timed how lengthy it took to pop the corn, measured what number of kernels had been left and the way a lot popcorn ended up on the kitchen counter.
Ease of storage: We regarded for popcorn makers that didn’t take up pointless house. There was larger leeway for makers that included a bowl.
Security: The highest of popcorn makers are inclined to get scorching so we famous whether or not dealing with scorching elements to entry your just-cooked corn was required and have flagged this.
Sustainability: Normally, most popcorn makers aren’t vastly sustainable so we solely selected merchandise that appeared they might stand the check of time. Further factors got to recyclable supplies. We checked out product packaging too.
Options: Any added bonuses – like elements with twin makes use of or an eco initiatives had been taken into consideration.
For extra details about how we check different merchandise and meals, head over to our How We Take a look at web page.
Popcorn recipes
Cinnamon-sugar popcorn recipe | BBC Good Meals
Candy & spicy popcorn recipe | BBC Good Meals
Almond, raisin & popcorn path combine recipe | BBC Good Meals
Candy popcorn recipe | BBC Good Meals
Toffee popcorn recipe | BBC Good Meals
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