Average Rating: 
Rating:  - A Stirring Recommendation!
I'm on my second one of these, having lost one in a move many years ago. I've had a number of popcorn poppers 'cause I'm a true fan, whether unadorned popcorn or 'fancied up'. When the hot air poppers came out about 20 years ago I bought a couple of them, but they always seem to make chewy popcorn that'll stick in the back of your throat. I've got a mint-condition Mirro aluminum electric popper from the sixties and it'll burn corn in the bottom before you can turn around. West Bend used to make this same type popper but without the stirrer. I had that one also, and it still left a fair number of kernels at the bottom. The stirring rod is what makes the difference with this popper. Not only will it pop more kernels in ANY brand of popcorn, but it will pop far more with the less expensive brands like Jolly Time. It's typical to get no more than a tablespoon or less of unpopped kernels. The popcorn turns out perfectly done, from the earliest to the last popped. If you look at the photo, the disc on the top is a removable cover; under there is an indention with multiple holes. You can take butter or margarine and spread it around when you set the machine up. Then, as the machine starts popping, the steam melts the butter and it goes on the corn! Or, if you prefer buttering later, just leave the lid on. When the corn is popped, you simply flip the appliance over and the large dome becomes the serving bowl. The dome and the disc on top have been through my dishwasher dozens of times without any problem. If I hand-wash it, it always feels a little greasy. The bottom, heating part of the appliance is nonstick; you simply wipe it out with a soapy dishrag or paper towel. Couldn't be easier. This appliance is light in weight and fits fine in one of my overhead cabinets. For only a small amount of oil, it'll make six quarts of the best popcorn you can find! Plus, its tolerance to less-expensive non-gourmet corns means you'll spend less money. Highly recommended!
Rating: - A classic design that makes top quality popcorn
Tried air poppers; blech, styrofoam pellets would taste about as good. Microwave corn; too much salt and "butter" in the packets, plus they cost a lot. Popping in a saucepan on the stove; horrible to clean afterwards and it burns. Microwave poppers; don't get me started. THIS is the one. The first one I had was in the dorm in college (one with the yellow bowl.) I think we bought it together for the whole floor. And this is still the best popper on the market, decades later. The only feature I don't like is the "melt the butter in the well" feature. It's probably less messy to melt the butter in the microwave (although I admit using the heat of the popper makes ecological sense.) The constant stirring makes sure all kernels get popped. It does make a difference if you use GOOD popcorn (you know the one I mean, Mr. R's best) and at least FRESH popcorn. And the touch of oil used in the popping makes the popcorn taste wonderful. We sometimes use olive oil for a special taste treat. Anyway you pop it, this is a great device.
Rating: - No looking back
My first popcorn popper survived over ten years of twice-a-week popping until my 10-yr-old dropped the lid and broke it. When I first read about the Stir Crazy, I thought it was a gimmick. One more thing to break - but I ordered one anyway because there wasn't much selection. What a great move! Microwave popcorn is convenient, but it has a tendency to burn if you don't watch it. The Stir Crazy is great. Dribble some oil in, add my favorite "premium" popcorn, plug it in, and pretty much every kernel pops every time. Like others, I leave the top open to let the steam escape so that the popcorn is more tender - I flip and empty the popper as soon as the popping stops for the same reason - and the results are reliably great. Use that idle microwave to melt the butter. A quick swirl with the OXO Nylon Palm Soap Brush, and the parts are clean. By the way, the revolving arm does wear off a circle of the non-stick stuff, but that's what the raised ring is supposed to do (it sacrifices itself to protect the main popping surface)! So, I started skeptical, sad to have lost my reliable popper, but there's no looking back for me.
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