Everyone reading this has eaten a bag of microwave popcorn at one time or another, and most of you (myself included) probably didn’t know there were too many alternatives without spending a fortune on a movie theater-type popper.
I was turned on to a product by the AVSForum more than a year ago that has worked out amazingly – the Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper for about $25. You may think it’s silly that I’m reviewing popcorn now, but bear with me.
This unit requires the use of oil, and as a result produces crispy pieces of popcorn instead of the chewy pieces you get from a hot air popper or the microwave. You basically dump the oil in the base of the unit, pour in the popcorn, plug the unit in and wait about 4-5 minutes.
A metal “stirrer” at the base of the unit keeps the kernels moving and prevents them from getting burned. There is also a place at the top of the unit where you can melt butter onto the corn as it’s popping, killing two birds with one stone. I ordered some of the actual butter flavoring online that they use at the theaters for an added kick.
The popcorn tastes loads better than anything I’ve pulled out of the microwave (much closer to that movie theater experience), and depending on how you top it, is healthier. Don’t forget that the grocery store sells lots of popcorn flavorings (literally, they are shakeable containers that are intended for popcorn) – cinnamon, cheese, ranch, etc.
The supplies are relatively cheap too. You can buy a jar/bag of kernels at most grocery stores for $3-4 that will last you quite a while – same goes with the butter, salt, toppings, etc. Compare that with a box of microwave stuff that sometimes costs $6+ and usually has half a dozen bags, and you have a very quick return on investment.
The last benefit is how much you are actually able to pop at once. I rarely have many folks over for a movie, but it’s nice to know I won’t have to throw 2 or 3 bags in the microwave when I do. The Stir Crazy pops up to 6oz., which is more than even three people would eat in a single sitting, and could probably accommodate 5-6 folks fairly easily.
If you’re tired of the unhealthy microwave popcorn, or are just looking for something that will get you that much closer to the theater experience, definitely check out the Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper. I purchased mine at Wal-Mart, but I have seen them at Target and many places online.
