In 2010 I purchased a used hot air popcorn popper for $2.00 bucks at a thrift store. It was probably from the 1980's and it worked faithfully until a couple months ago. But it finally died, so I went on Amazon to search for the same style popper, the kind you put the bowl under with a vented hood that shoots it toward the bowl, ideally. But man, the reviews made me feel so discouraged. I ignored the reviews that said they shoot popcorn all over the place because I already knew that to be an issue with my old one, and to be honest, it really wasn't a big deal for me (just a few strays here and there that my dog grabbed up). But what DID concern me was all the reviews saying the tops were melting, and pictures of them with melted tops. And different brands too, not just one. I read dozens of reviews and even when I begrudgingly increased the price range, they still had lousy reviews about melting tops. So I started looking at other options...
Enter this style of popper. I compared a bunch of brands for these types since I've never used this kind of popper. Eventually I resorted to watching Youtube videos (I take my popcorn very seriously, LOL) and was finally sold on this style, brand and model after watching a guy demonstrate and test several types of poppers. I am extremely pleased with it and have ZERO complaints! First and foremost: It pops ALL the kernels, literally EVERY SINGLE KERNEL! It doesn't get more impressive than that. The very first use I got nervous and shut it off a few seconds too soon and had about 10 or so kernels left, but once I realized I can wait until it all stops without it burning, I haven't had a single unpopped piece since! Because the bar constantly moves it around, you can listen and make sure it's completely stopped without it burning.
I don't use the included top/bowl to eat it from, I dump it into my own bowl of choice instead, it's just my preference. My own bowl is a little wider so I can toss it around with oil and salt that way. It was hard to visualize the amount of popcorn described in the description, but I was pleased to discover it pops exactly the amount I have always popped, which is a BIG family-sized bowl full (which I eat all myself because I'm single and that's how I roll).
As far as oil, I'm not used to using oil since my old popper was just a dry air popper. What I would always do is drizzle the oil and salt after popping it. So I initially used olive oil (which is what I drizzle on it anyway) but then decided to experiment with coconut oil because it has a higher smoke point and the healthy properties of coconut oil can withstand the heat of the unit. That was even better, it's fantastic with coconut oil and tastes more like theater popcorn. I still drizzle olive oil and salt on it afterward however, because the coconut oil serves the purpose of coating the kernels, but it doesn't really give it the buttery feel after it's popped. But that's fine with me because I'm so pleased with how well it works that I'm willing to use oil with the kernels now. It all comes out fluffy and perfect, NO BURNED pieces ever, so far.
You can put the unit inside the bowl to store it, but I prefer to keep the bowl on top to keep dust out. The cord easily wraps around underneath the bottom, which is something that annoyed me about my old popper, which had no way to store the cord. I also like having an off/on switch too, as opposed to just yanking the cord out of the wall while it's running like many of the upright air poppers will have you do.
It takes a couple of minutes for the kernels to heat up but then it pops incredibly fast and the whole batch is done in the blink of an eye, it's pretty wild. I wondered if it would be awkward to lift and flip the unit to dump it in the bowl but it's not, it's lightweight and easy.
ONE IMPORTANT THING: I almost didn't buy this because even this style of popper has some pictures of the top piece melted. This surprised me until I watched the videos on this page and did a few face-palms. Watch them for yourself and you'll see they leave the red piece on the lid while it's popping. I couldn't believe how any videos show people doing this. The vents in the clear bowl/lid are there so that it VENTS while popping! The smaller red lid is included to put on AFTER you shut it off. It's simply to keep small pieces from falling out once you flip it over. Keep it off while it's popping, of course it's going to melt if you keep blocking the vent holes, good grief! Makes me wonder what people were doing with the other kinds of air poppers to make those ones melt, maybe covering them with sweaters?? But I'm content to never know.
When reading reviews, keep in mind that a lot of people have only ever used microwave popcorn. Some of the reviews about flavor and whatnot make me think these people are simply used to microwave junk and so it's probably no reflection on this popper. That, and people blocking the vents with the red lid and then complaining that it smells like plastic. Sigh.
Like I said, I have no complaints whatsoever and am glad I decided to try this type of popper. Easy, perfect results and kinda fun to use.
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Customer Review: Put butter on top - great flavor
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From the brand
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Spanning multiple generations with innovative product offerings, West Bend delivers unmatched performance, quality, and value to consumers worldwide.
Whether making fresh, homemade bread, brewing a fresh cup of coffee, roasting a chicken, or baking a pizza, West Bend strives to make your kitchen activities easier.
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Popcorn
Make healthy and delicious popcorn at home with our popcorn machines. Find Stir-Crazy poppers, serving accessories, and more!
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From the manufacturer
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Popping surface features a PTFE nonstick coating to help make cleaning simple and fast. |
After popping, lid that can be used as a serving bowl. |
Stir rod is motorized and improves popping, yielding more popcorn per batch. |
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Butter tray lets you quickly and easily melt butter for serving. |
Nesting cover and base allow entire unit to be stored in a space-saving way. |
The convenient cord wrap lets you minimize storage area and keep the popper neat and organized. |
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| PC8448RD13 | 82707B | 82505 | 82515 | PCMC20RD13 | |
| Customer Reviews |
530
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3,596
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17,392
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9,529
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988
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| Price | $23.98 | $37.98 | $36.63 | $69.99 | $139.99 |
| Color | Red | Black | Red | Red | Red |
| Size | 9.65 x 5.52 x 12.41 inches | 11 x 13 x 10.5 inches | 11.5 x 11.7 x 7.5 inches | 10.27 x 10.87 x 17.72 inches | 14.97 x 18.51 x 45.28 inches |
| Oil or Air? | Air | Oil | Oil | Oil | Oil |
| Popcorn Popped | 4 Qt. | 6 Qt. | 6 Qt. | 4 Qt. | 10 Cups |
| Features | • Ventilation technology provides improved hot air distribution • Butter melting tray | • Vented clear cover doubles as a serving bowl • Butter melting well with cover • Stir rod technology • Handles are heat resistant • Nesting cover/base for small storage | • Vented clear cover doubles as a serving bowl • Butter melting well with cover • Stir rod technology • Handles are heat resistant • Nesting cover/base for small storage | • Stainless steel non-stick kettle with magnetic cover • Kettle tilts to dump popcorn and removes for easy cleanup • Stir rod technology • Tilt door for easy access serving | • Stainless steel non-stick kettle with magnetic cover • Stir rod technology • Cart with wheels, serving tray & storage area |
Compare with similar items
This Item  West Bend Stir Crazy Popcorn Machine Electric Hot Oil Popper Includes Large Lid for Serving Bowl and Convenient Nesting Storage, 6-Quart, Red |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | -22% $36.63 List: $46.99 | $49.99 | $44.99 | $37.99 | $32.99 | $46.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jun 18 | Get it as soon as Monday, Jun 17 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jun 18 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jun 18 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jun 18 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jun 18 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Easy to use | ||||||
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| Easy to clean | ||||||
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Colocloud | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | HYpersales |
| capacity | 6 quarts | — | 6 quarts | — | 4 quarts | 6 quarts |
| electric | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| material | Plastic | — | Plastic | — | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) | — |
Customer reviews
4.3 out of 5
We don’t use a simple average to calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star. Our system gives more weight to certain factors—including how recent the review is and if the reviewer bought it on Amazon. Learn more
17,392 global ratings
Reviews with images
I should have bought this year's ago ...
I finally replaced my replacement popcorn maker that caught on fire. My entire life I had heard about this stir crazy machine but didn't buy into all the hype. Especially for the price tag. I mean, it isn't an air popper and if I want to use oil, I have pans. Well, it finally came to be less expensive than the least expensive air popper on the market... You know the one that caught fire. So I went ahead and got it. I was a little tired of eating the pre-made bags of popcorn.And let me just say... I wish I had bought this year ago. It has the flavor of air popcorn but with a little bit of oil and I can still have butter. And best, nearly all of the kernels popped. No wasted popcorn.It only took about six minutes from prep to enjoyment. I probably won't use the topper in the future, afraid the lid will pop off. But who know. I may have to get another one for when I have those big parties... big popcorn parties.Enjoy.:)
Top reviews from the United States
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Top reviews from other countries
ThunderTHR
Coconut Oil + Flavacol = Movie Theatre Popcorn at Home!
Reviewed in Canada on January 13, 2022Style: ClassicColor: RedVerified Purchase
CEMB
Excelente compra!!
Reviewed in Mexico on September 29, 2019Style: ClassicColor: RedVerified Purchase
oliverVT
Works very well
Reviewed in India on July 10, 2017Style: ClassicColor: RedVerified Purchase
ドムドム三郎
日本の電圧に対応していない。
Reviewed in Japan on December 23, 2014Style: ClassicColor: RedVerified Purchase
Raquel M. Tovar González.
Práctico y facil de usar.
Reviewed in Mexico on October 23, 2023Style: ClassicColor: RedVerified Purchase
