How do popcorn makers work?
Popcorn makers heat the kernels of corn until the husk expands and pops. The starch in the kernel then turns into the fluffy pieces we recognise as popcorn.
An air popper will circulate hot air until the kernels have popped and then fire the cooked popcorn out of a small chute. A microwave model works in much the same way but will use a vented bowl to cook the popcorn.
An alternative way to make popcorn is by using a stovetop popcorn maker. This is a pan with the addition of a rotation device. It is placed directly on the hob and, as the popcorn is heating, you turn the handle to operate the rotation device which keeps the popcorn moving so it cooks evenly.
What to look for in a popcorn maker
Cost: If you just plan on using the popcorn machine on the odd occasion there's no need to spend a lot of money and a cheaper option will do the job. If you’re going to be using it more often then you may need to pay a little more. A good start are the microwave versions as they tend to be cheaper than the air popper machines.
Entertainment value: If your main reason for buying one is for healthier snacking, a microwave popcorn maker is probably the best option. However, if it’s going to be used to add a bit of fun to movie nights or when your children have friends over, the joy of a popcorn maker comes from watching the corn explode and fly out of the chute so you’ll probably want to purchase one of the air poppers.
Storage: Our selected popcorn makers vary significantly with regards to the amount of space they take up. Many of the microwavable options fold down to take up little space and some smaller streamlined models still produce a good amount of popcorn in a short space of time.
How to use a popcorn machine
This will depend on the type of machine you buy. Most of the air poppers offer a simple one-touch operation. A microwave popcorn maker comes with a vented bowl to put the uncooked kernels in. The bowl is then placed directly into the microwave and cooked for the time specified by the manufacturer. If you opt for a stovetop one, it's likely you'll have to turn a handle to rotate the kernels.
Are popcorn makers safe?
You will need to exhibit some caution when it comes to using a popcorn machine. Whilst air poppers are a lot of fun, some machines tended to push out the corn at quite a speed, sending hot popcorn across the room. As long as you make sure little ones stand well back and are fully supervised there’s no reason why they can’t be used safely though. A popcorn maker with a bowl attached or lid over it is a great option as less corn will fly out but children still get to see the kernels popping.
There’s also a good chance that the machine won’t heat every kernel sufficiently, preventing it from popping. Check each portion carefully when serving younger children to avoid the choking hazard of a hard unpopped kernel. Machines with rotary blades tend to mean less unpopped kernels too.
How do I make healthy popcorn?
Popcorn is naturally high in fibre and the healthiest way to eat it is to have it as it comes, without adding any flavourings. Many of our featured products can cook popcorn without needing to add any oil or butter. If the idea of plain popcorn doesn't appeal though, there are ways of enhancing the flavour without adding too much salt or sugar – see our section on flavouring popcorn below for more information.
Can you use butter or oil in a popcorn machine?
This will largely depend on how your chosen machine heats the corn. An air popper will most likely cook the corn without the addition of either – do check the manufacturer's guidelines, as some of the air poppers may burn the corn if you add fat to it. If you’re using something on the hob or a machine with a rotating blade, you’ll probably need to add oil or butter to prevent the popcorn from sticking.
What's the best popcorn maker to buy?
We rate the American Originals Popcorn Maker as the best popcorn maker thanks to it being very simple to use and its ability to churn out popcorn in less than three minutes. It's a great price too and a neat size so it's easy to store in any kitchen.
Where can I buy popcorn for my popcorn machine?
Popcorn kernels are extremely easy to get hold of and are available in just about every supermarket and health food shop, such as Holland & Barrett. Tropical Sun Kernels from ASDA are particularly good value for money and Amazon offers a huge number of options.
What do I flavour popcorn with?
The first decision to make is to decide whether you want to go sweet or savoury. With both options, the best place to start is simply with melted butter, then for a sweet option add little brown sugar or cinnamon mixed with icing sugar. If it's savoury you’re after, add a sprinkle of salt or even some dried herbs.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous you could add some spices or some toasted almonds and raisins for a more grown-up option.
There’s also a range of ready-made powders available to sprinkle over which serve as a quick and fun way to flavour your popcorn.
How do you clean popcorn makers?
This will depend on your machine, and you should check the instructions for cleaning and care directions.
Any part containing an electrical component can't be submerged in water so you’ll need to wipe it down separately. Often the attached bowls on air poppers or microwave options are dishwasher safe too.
If you've opted for a stainless steel stovetop model, you’ll simply need to wipe it down with a clean, dry cloth or piece of kitchen roll.
Don’t forget to use a bit of anti-bac spray on buttons and handles too.
How we chose the best popcorn makers
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
Nothing will give you a better sense of whether something is worth buying than an honest, unbiased review from a real parent. That’s why our first port of call is always the Mumsnet forums where we trawl the Talk boards to find out recommendations and top tips from the Mumsnet community.
Expert opinions
To help us decide on our shortlisted products, we also took on board the top tips and advice from food industry experts to find out a little more about popcorn makers and which were the safest and most efficient ones to buy.
Authentic customer reviews
Finally, we looked at popcorn makers that were ranking highly on bestseller lists and those that had first-class reviews on retailer sites. We took into account what reviewers were saying regarding value for money, the time it took to make the popcorn and whether they were safe to use.
About the author
Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on product reviews, homeware roundups and family travel.
She’s written buyer’s guides for publications including Expert Reviews, Coach and Den of Geek as well as reviews and features for the Guardian, TripSavvy and Visit London.
As a mum of two, she’s always on the lookout for products that make life easier at home and loves putting gadgets and appliances to the test to highlight best buys for families.
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