West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy 6-Quart Popcorn Popper
by Focus Electrics, LLC
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: Focus Electrics, LLCBrand: West Bend
Model: 82306
Product features:
- Popcorn popper with motorized stirring rod to ensure all kernels pop
- Produces up to 6 quarts in about 5 minutes; built-in butter well
- Nonstick coated popping surface
- Heat-resistant handles and base; plastic cover doubles as serving bowl
- Measures 12 by 8-1/2 by 10 inches; 1-year limited warranty
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy 6-Quart Popcorn Popper
Customer Review: Use the right seeds for PROFESSIONAL results.
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought one of these poppers after, getting fed-up with crummy tasting microwave popcorn (Styrofoam popcorn). I love good popcorn. We ALWAYS had it in the house as a kid, now I'm 56, and couldn't believe there STILL wasn't an easy way to finally make good popcorn. As a kid, I was the designated popper/chef at 15 in our house, so I KNOW the good Stuff from crappola. I used lard, and Jolly-Time seeds, and real butter, and salt. Damn, that was real tasty popcorn. But, lard isn't too good for you. Animal Fat, and all that bad fat and stuff.
Once bought a "Healthy" hot air popper, threw it in the trash after 2 batches. The stuff was terrible. Microwave is easy, and fast. But the results are: Too greasy, and way too salty. Or, too dry and Chalky. Or, under-popped and terrible tasting. Also the bags have some sort of toxic residue inside when microwaved, and then there are the preservatives. Bought a Stir-Crazy after reading about 60 or 70 reviews at Amazon, and ordered one. BEFORE I filled with seeds, I plugged it in to see if I had one with stirrer problems. I did. The stirrer pedestal rotated unevenly, causing the stirrer bar to scrape every half-rotation. Tweeking the bar was no good, the pedestal was rotating unevenly. Emailed Amazon Returns about the problem, and immediately (That same night) was emailed a UPS return label which I pasted to the packing box the popper came in, and sent it back. I requested a Replacement, and got it in 3 days. No additional shipping charges to me. It mechanically functioned OK, so I put in the Orville R. Gourmet popcorn seeds and Orvilles buttery popcorn oil in the machine, and "removed the top vent cover." (That is an important step.) The stuff popped, and when popping reduced to 1 pop a second, I quickly unplugged the machine, replaced the top vent cover, and flipped the popcorn into the bowl. It was terrible popcorn. Not fluffy. Very Greasy, many seeds not fully popped, and as chewy as Cracker Jack popcorn. After 4 more attempts, (not the same night), trying different oil amounts. Less oil, more oil. Less seeds, more seeds. Same results. I was beginning to believe the Amazon POSITIVE reviews were Bogus Corporate plants by the company that made the popper. I was pissed. But worse, I was disappointed.
Then, recently, a few days after my last disappointing popcorn results, I was buying groceries, and passed by the popcorn isle, which made me angry all over again. But I saw Jolly-Time WHITE popcorn seeds in a bag, not in a Gourmet jar like Orville's. Bought the seeds, took them home and tried them. Excellent results. Fluffy, tasty white popcorn, with minimal oil, and had used minimal seeds. ZERO unpopped kernals. NOT ONE. First successful batch. Professional Results. Not chewy, not dry, not chalky tasting. The seeds are actually a little smaller than Orville's seeds, but pop up bigger than his did. And this popcorn melted in my mouth, like the good ol tasty Jolly-Time Lard cooked popcorn I remembered as a kid. It wasn't the popper, or the oil that messed up my original results, it was the seeds. Jolly-Time WHITE popcorn seeds. (They also have YELLOW, but I haven't tried that one yet.) I don't know how long this machine will last. The reviews were mixed about that, but reviews leaned more toward long life. I LIKE popcorn again. Good popcorn. There IS a difference from Microwave, in taste. And there is that questionable toxic-bag safety factor. If you love tasty old time Home-style popcorn, that is not too dry, and not too oily, and does NOT have that chalky under-taste that microwave popcorn has....this machine is the way to go. And if you are health conscious, you can reduce the buttery oil, and STILL enjoy a light buttery taste. And price-wise, Home/machine popped popcorn is way cheaper than microwave. Jolly-Time popcorn is only 2 bucks a bag. And I bet I can make easily 18 6-quart batches from one bag. (I bought the 6 quart capacity machine.) Once you try it, you won't go back to microwave. Just make sure you get the right seeds. By the way....don't melt butter in the top. It affects the popped results of the popcorn adversely. The buttery oil is enough for me. But if you prefer more buttery taste, melt it in the microwave, and pour on AFTER the popcorn is transferred to the bowl. I think you will be very happy with your choice. And with Amazon's quick Return Policy, you can't lose. They seem to really WANT you to be happy with your purchase. I may try other brands of seeds too. Or other oils. The results may get even better yet. But for now, I am beyond pleased.
Description of West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy 6-Quart Popcorn Popper
You've rented a classic family movie, something along the lines of "Beauty and the Beast" or "Mary Poppins", and the whole gang is snuggled on the couch. What would make this picture truly complete? Popcorn of course! You can have 6 quarts of crunchy, buttery kernels ready to go in no time with this popper.Popcorn Poppers
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