Most of today’s popcorn makers are electronic.  This means that they plug into an outlet in the wall to make the popcorn.  There are still old-fashioned popcorn makers on the market for those who prefer to make the treat the way their grandparents did.  Old-fashioned popcorn poppers are used with the stovetop to pop the kernels.  Kids enjoy watching and hearing the popcorn come to life on the stove. 

One of the best things to look for when shopping for popcorn makers for your family is one that allows the children to see the popcorn popping.  One popular oil popcorn popper has a hot plate with a rotating arm.  The popcorn kernels are rotated in the oil on the hot plate.  A plastic dome covers the hot plate, and children love watching the popcorn popping inside.  When the treat is ready, the dome turns into a convenient serving bowl!

Another type of popcorn maker that kids enjoy is an air popper with a chute.  The popcorn is placed in the bottom, and when it pops, it is expelled out the chute.  A waiting bowl catches the kernels as they pop out.  Children love waiting for their tasty treat to come flying out of the machine.

Considering a Popcorn Maker? Popcorn is perhaps one of America’s favorite snacks.  It is salty, light, and healthy - when made right.  Popcorn does not take a long time to make, and is a quick, easy snack to serve to a large group.  If you love popcorn as much as most people, then you should be considering a popcorn maker for your home.

There are basically two types of popcorn makers on the market for home use, as well as several commercial varieties.  The home popcorn makers either make popcorn with hot air or hot oil.  For the health conscious consumer, the hot air variety makes a much healthier snack.  You can add your own toppings to the popcorn to create the taste you want, without adding as many calories.  However, many people swear that oil or butter popped corn tastes better.  So choosing the way your popcorn is popped often comes down to a matter of personal preference.  Either type of popper does the job!

Often your choice of popcorn makers will revolve around the style and design of the machine.  If you are nostalgic, you may want a popcorn popper that resembles an old-fashioned movie variety.  These make a great addition to a recreation room, creating the feel of a movie theater in your home.  Or, you might prefer to stay traditional and seek stovetop popcorn makers like the ones your grandparents used.  Others enjoy the action of poppers that let you see the popcorn popping.  There are both hot oil and hot air varieties that have clear housings to allow the action to show. 

Whatever design you choose, your popcorn maker will be electric.  Make sure you follow the cleaning instructions carefully to avoid a short.  Also, look for a machine that features non-sticking surfaces.  You might also want to find a popcorn popper that has its own bowl included.  Often this is built into the popping design so that the popcorn pops directly into the bowl.  This is convenient and saves space in your cupboards.