For anyone out there like myself who has used Stir Crazy poppers for a very long time: How does this one compare?
1419325
This popper is AWESOME. It surpasses it's predecessor for sure! It's easier to use (love the on/off switch), the hot plate is easily cleaned and is a lot lighter to lift when turning your bowl over. I would highly recommend it. I'm so happy I did! Great popper!
2204926
This is primarily what I use mine for (I'm not ashamed to admit it). The only downside is that with the wider slots, the PopTarts get a little bowed in the middle the longer they are toasted. Obviously, this doesn't affect the taste at all. :)
309955
Bob,We ended up having to replace our popper a couple months ago. I think I got water in it one to many times wiping it down with a fairly soaked sponge. I must say we used this several times a week on average. It is still a good product. I just need to be more careful about washing it. Hope this helps.
91433
Honestly, we've only tried Shop Rite brand popcorn in ours....It works just fine with our popper and is relatively inexpensive...We bought another one for a family member as a Christmas gift and the love theirs as well using Orville Redenbacher popping corn. The key is to not overload the unit...we use about 1/4 cup at a time and you have to adjust the cooking time for your microwave...enjoy if you decide to purchase one.
594060
No I find melting my butter on the side works better. Other than that you can't beat a stir crazy.
289368
If you clean when it's done for the day with a soapy washcloth, dry it with paper towels, you'll keep it looking like new. It's not that hard, it takes maybe 3 minutes and I'm done. ALWAYS take out the popper, wash the electric cord and the outside case of the popper (with a soapy cloth you wring out completely) and you won't get a buildup.
40855
No shaking, just follow the directions it comes with. One thing though, it you are making multiple batches, after the second time, give popper a few minutes to cool down, or popcorn cooks too fast and may burn some or have kernels that don't pop...
2271420
Sorry no experience with the West Bend Stir Crazy Popper. If it's of any use this machine works reasonably well. We've had an antique oil popper that we finally decided to replace. The popcorn that was produced by the old popper was far better than this one, in that it was much more crisp. This tastes more like air popped than oil popped to us.
1866913
i have the whirly pop. the cook n home popper is heavier and is made better across the top center of the lid. cook n home is just a better popper I got the cook n home for my daughter, she got the best.
109766
Check this Amazon add for answers and a much better price for the same popper. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00K2216FO?cache=959d929a9ea91bf2033bcffbc3dde6b2π=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&qid;=1409064886&sr;=8-4#ref=mp_s_a_1_4
2226451
I assume that you've already tried it by now, but if you haven't already the salt and vinegar chips is what it says I guess. The vinegar taste is strong, but not overly strong. If you had vinegar chips in the past, then I think you would like the popchips version. If you had vinegar chips in the past and didn't like it, I don't think the popchips version is going to change your mind for you.
512266
Yeah. It does great popping. Very few unpopped kernels. Kettle corn also comes out really well.
1794831
I haven't tried that. I really like the Stir Crazy popper! It has made the best popcorn. Then you can add 1/4 cup of Sugar to make Kettle Corn.
2099040
Sorry you are having trouble. I find my inserts last through several uses. Maybe you could lower the setting on your microwave to 80%? Some microwaves are more powerful than other. Also, I have been adding oil the way Presto recommends, dribbling about a tbsp. on the top not pouring it in the bottom like I used to. It sounds like you are cooking it too long? Directions say don't use the "popcorn" button on your microwave. When it it gets to the top or stops making popping sounds I stop the microwave and take it out.
119718
I've been making my husband coffee creamer with it and I feel like it's been lasting a long time. It is pricey but he really likes it and it's hard to find anywhere else. I'm getting ready to order another can. I hope this helps :)
1508918
The first one I owned of these the handle fell off. It was a glasss handle. I was foolish enough to buy another one 10 years later hoping the handle problem had been addressed. So I thought since they changed to a silicone handle maybe they had fixed the problem. I see they have not. My main problem with this popper this time is that I didn't like the way the popcorn tasted after popping it. I only used it twice and gave it to Goodwill. I did not use it enough to wait for the handle to fall off. Even if you found another handle I don't know how you would attach it. Whatever way the manufacturer is attaching is not working so I don't think anyone else could do it either. The first one I owned of these the handle fell off. It was a glasss handle. I was foolish enough to buy another one 10 years later hoping the handle problem had been addressed. So I thought since they changed to a silicone handle maybe they had fixed the problem. I see they have not. My main problem with this popper this time is that I didn't like the way the popcorn tasted after popping it. I only used it twice and gave it to Goodwill. I did not use it enough to wait for the handle to fall off. Even if you found another handle I don't know how you would attach it. Whatever way the... » Read More The first one I owned of these the handle fell off. It was a glasss handle. I was foolish enough to buy another one 10 years later hoping the handle problem had been addressed. So I thought since they changed to a silicone handle maybe they had fixed the problem. I see they have not. My main problem with this popper this time is that I didn't like the way the popcorn tasted after popping it. I only used it twice and gave it to Goodwill. I did not use it enough to wait for the handle to fall off. Even if you found another handle I don't know how you would attach it. Whatever way the manufacturer is attaching is not working so I don't think anyone else could do it either. « Show Less
1532972
This popcorn popper is very sturdy & is great for our household. I haven't tried the CHEFs so I really can't compare the two. I do like the fact that the CHEFs has a glass top so you can see. I just listen & when it stops popping I know it's done.