Cuisinart EasyPop Popcorn Maker

Never one to be left out of the game, Cuisinart has entered the popcorn market with their own version of an old fashioned popcorn popper.

This is no hot air popping gadget; it requires you to add the oil of your choosing and the corn kernels. Then the heating element and motorized stirring arms go to work. This has a charming look to it, and the cover is also the bowl so when it's done you just invert the whole thing, remove the base, and serve. All the parts are removable and dishwashable, and Cuisinart backs this with a three year limited warranty.

I like the idea of breaking free of the microwave popcorn tyranny; healthier eats and money saved always work, but buying yet another specialized gadget for the job is a bit off track. Way back when I was a kid, we made popcorn in a saucepan on the stove. I loved hearing the kernels go "pink-pink" against the lid as I shook it to keep them from burning. I taught my kids the same process, and watched how much they enjoyed it.

There are plenty of folks who really like the idea of a popcorn popper, and there are ample models to choose from. Do your research before buying however, as many purchasers of this machine have reported problems from popcorn coming out tasting and smelling of plastic to various breakdowns attributed to poor construction.

For a better -- and nostalgically adorable -- design, see this Old Fashioned Popcorn Maker.

Find this Cuisinart EasyPop Maker:

• Click here to find this Popcorn Maker at Amazon.com

Find this popcorn maker on eBay:

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