Meet the West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy 6-Quart Popcorn Popper – Once It Pops, It Never Stops!
I have been a big fan of popcorn and nothing beats popcorn as a movie or tv snack. I used to pop my popcorn with the microwave. However, after cases of reported health effects due to the coating of the microwave bags, I have been looking for a good popcorn machine ever since. I have owned two popcorn machines before, but they broke down after 3 months and 6 months of usage respectively. This is how I came to Amazon, and after reading about 600 reviews, I decided on the West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper.
Read over 700 reviews on Amazon here!
In this review, we shall take a closer look at the West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper to see why it can sit at the top of the popcorn machine industry.
Design: Signature UFO
Personally, I like the design of the West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper. This popcorn machine measures 11.8 x 14.2 x 9.5 inches and weights 4.2 pounds, which is pretty standard among its counterparts. The design of this popcorn machine is nothing spectacular, with the same UFO design many other popcorn machines have adopted. Despite being plastered with the similar UFO design, West Bend has managed to take their iconic popcorn machine to another level, making it extra attractive and fun.
Majority of the machine is made of matt plastic, mimicking a “toy-ish” look. It might feel cheap to some, but to me, it is well suited to its functionality as popping popcorn should be fun. The transparent dome popper cover provides the never-fail-to-amaze-me popcorn popping experience as it gives you a 360 degree view. On top of that, the popper cover also serves as your popcorn bowl as you can flip over your machine after the popcorn is done, dislocate the cover, and enjoy the pipping hot popcorn.
At the top of the popper cover, you can find a butter well covered with a plastic cap, designed for you to enjoy buttered popcorn! All you have to do is to spread butter on the butter well, and the steam will melt the butter which will be smeared on the popcorn when they are popping. An innovative idea which has worked wonders for my buttered corns.
Performance: Once It Pops, It Never Stops!
Freshly Popped!
When it comes to popping popcorn, the number one ranking West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper is no pushover. I can say that it is one of the most effective popcorn machine on the market, which is largely due to its stirring rod. This unique feature helps to pop more kernels than the other domestic popcorn machines. In addition, the stirring rod helps to stir up the kernels to maximize the popping effect. Therefore, you can reduce the amount of oil to produce healthier popcorn!
The quality of the popcorn produced by the West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper is top notch. The popcorn is crunchy, crispy and well flavored. It can be compared to the popcorn produced by commercial poppers, and you can even try out different recipes with the little popcorn machine. Here is one tip for those who experience scorched kernel when popping your popcorn. After hearing the last “pop”, count to five seconds before switching off the machine and you will enjoy the best tasting homemade popcorn. The non stick popping surface on the West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper is a great addition as it allows you to try out other popcorn recipes or combos without worrying about the aftermath.
The West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper comes with the 6 quart popper cover, but you can buy the other 8 quart version if you prefer a larger batch of popcorn. Performance wise, the 8 quart popper cover produces the same popping effectiveness as the 6 quart cover.
Dismantling the Popcorn Machine
Dismantling and Cleaning: As Easy As ABC
Dismantling and cleaning the West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper is an easy task. You can remove the popper cover and the stirring rod for washing. The non stick popping surface cannot be removed, but you can clean it easily with paper towels or soapy dishrag. The popper cover and the top lid can be place in dish washer if you want to.
Important Note
You can spot two groups of reviewers on Amazon. Those who are greatly impressed by the West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper, and those who lamented on the stirring rod scraping the non stick coating off the popping surface. The main cause of scraping is due to the stirring rod attached too tightly onto the popping surface. You can perform a check by plugging in your popcorn machine before popping your popcorn. If the stirring rod grinds against the surface, you need to loosen the center knob connecting the stirring rod to the popping surface. After that, adjust the rod by bending the arms upwards away from the surface. The popcorn machine should be problem free now!
The Bottom Line
If you are looking for a good alternative to microwave popcorn, I believe this is the right popcorn machine for you. It has a several unique features, making it one of my top kitchen appliances in terms of usability, performance and durability. I haven been using the West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper for 1 year 6 months, and it has never failed to churn out flavorful and delicious popcorn. Now, I can enjoy popping my popcorn any time with the West Bend 82306X Stir Crazy Popcorn Popper. How about you? Click the buy button to enjoy the same savory popcorn that is only available in theaters now!
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