HI! Thanks for the review - I am in the process of returning the basic westbend stir crazy popper. I found that it left a lot of uncooked kernels in bowl as well as the lid cracked. Does this one pop all the popcorn? I am interested since it also roast nuts! Thank you! HI! Thanks for the review - I am in the process of returning the basic westbend stir crazy popper. I found that it left a lot of uncooked kernels in bowl as well as the lid cracked. Does this one... » Read More HI! Thanks for the review - I am in the process of returning the basic westbend stir crazy popper. I found that it left a lot of uncooked kernels in bowl as well as the lid cracked. Does this one pop all the popcorn? I am interested since it also roast nuts! Thank you! « Show Less
1759728
Never had a problem with unpopped kernels. The lid is not the most study, but has held up so far. Have not used it for nuts.
1759729
Yes, this one pops all the kernels. It makes good popcorn. You just have to hold the lid down while its popping, and the cord is very short.
1759730
Yes it does a great job because it gets so hot. That is a cautionary note too cuz I have been burner moving it while its on. This factor is also important because it can start to burn the popped corn if you are not watching it.
1759731
Hi Lisa, Yes, it pops almost all kernels but you can't put a huge amount of popcorn in it otherwise, the stirring wand has trouble pushing a lot of popcorn once it's popped. I love it for roasting nuts. I usually buy raw nuts at Costco or Trader Joes and then roast them just a little. I love cashew nuts but the ones in the can are made with oil so I buy the raw ones at Trader Joes and roast them myself. This popper works for roasting; however, the nuts are not uniformly roasted. Anyway, as far as popcorn kernels, it leaves very few unpopped, unlike the microwave poppers and the air poppers, both of which I've thrown out. Hi Lisa, Yes, it pops almost all kernels but you can't put a huge amount of popcorn in it otherwise, the stirring wand has trouble pushing a lot of popcorn once it's popped. I love it for roasting nuts. I usually buy raw nuts at Costco or Trader Joes and then roast them just a little. I love cashew nuts but the ones in the can are made with oil so I buy the raw ones at Trader Joes and roast them myself. This popper works for roasting; however, the nuts are not uniformly roasted. Anyway, as far as popcorn kernels, it leaves very few unpopped, unlike the microwave poppers and the air poppers,... » Read More Hi Lisa, Yes, it pops almost all kernels but you can't put a huge amount of popcorn in it otherwise, the stirring wand has trouble pushing a lot of popcorn once it's popped. I love it for roasting nuts. I usually buy raw nuts at Costco or Trader Joes and then roast them just a little. I love cashew nuts but the ones in the can are made with oil so I buy the raw ones at Trader Joes and roast them myself. This popper works for roasting; however, the nuts are not uniformly roasted. Anyway, as far as popcorn kernels, it leaves very few unpopped, unlike the microwave poppers and the air poppers, both of which I've thrown out. « Show Less
1759732
We only popped once since the oil leaked out the seam and left a burn on my son, but yes, the kernels popped and tasted great
1088860
No, nothing wrong. All of mine are the same way if the ambiant temp is lower than about 80 degrees. I do suggest not using all of the salt packet tho. It makes the popcorn way to salty for my taste.
2019913
The kettle doesn't roast nuts very well, in shell or out. The sweep arm only moves the nuts around the cookiing surface but doesn't turn them over, so the nuts burn on one side and remain uncooked on the other. It makes great popcorn, though.
181625
my answer is email the company and ask for it cause there are some good tips in that book. go on line and search for best ways to make popcorn, that will help. In a nut shell, use coconut oil, gourmet popcorn, and play around with the flavored salts. I love this popcorn maker!!!! tip: always use a low heat setting.
274700
I don't know if you are still looking for an answer to your question but if you are - we have been using this model of the Stir Crazy popper for probably 30 years & we have had this problem when we have not seated the stirring rod on the unit correctly. If you unscrew the black knob that holds the rod in place & check to make sure you have the rod not only in the grooves correctly but the right side up you should see that the stirring rod is even in height on both sides. I happened to be looking at the poppers because after about 15 years of weekly uses we've worn ours out & will be replacing it with this same model we've had such good luck with in the past. I don't know if you are still looking for an answer to your question but if you are - we have been using this model of the Stir Crazy popper for probably 30 years & we have had this problem when we have not seated the stirring rod on the unit correctly. If you unscrew the black knob that holds the rod in place & check to make sure you have the rod not only in the grooves correctly but the right side up you should see that the stirring rod is even in height on both sides. I happened to be looking at the poppers because after about 15 years of weekly uses we've worn ours out & will be... » Read More I don't know if you are still looking for an answer to your question but if you are - we have been using this model of the Stir Crazy popper for probably 30 years & we have had this problem when we have not seated the stirring rod on the unit correctly. If you unscrew the black knob that holds the rod in place & check to make sure you have the rod not only in the grooves correctly but the right side up you should see that the stirring rod is even in height on both sides. I happened to be looking at the poppers because after about 15 years of weekly uses we've worn ours out & will be replacing it with this same model we've had such good luck with in the past. « Show Less
926295
Perhaps there are vendors whose organic popcorn kernels have bugs. I have yet to detect this here. When I received the order I vacuumed packed my order in separate containers. Bugs have been around since agriculture and farming. In point of fact, we are all exposed to germs and this provides immunity. Best wishes.
730545
I found that if you start with more popcorn this is not such a problem. There has to be enough in the bowl to keep the machine from spitting it out early. I found if I used Orville's and filled up the top to the line it works fairly well, though it does shoot the popped corn all over the place. In general I am very disappointed in this product.
438813
You have a 4oz popcorn machine. To solve this problem I suggest order Great Northern Pop Corn Company 4 oz pre measured pop corn packets. It contains pre-measured amounts 0f popcorn,coconut oil, and butter flavored salt......Its not expensive and you can order it through Amazon. 4 oz packets are designed for your popper. You will always have a very small amount of un- popped kernels......Even theaters do.
626102
I don't have alot of unpopped kernels ..use a better larger kernel popcorn. But I do put a dishcloth over the *top of the popper and bowl...when almost done popping ....use a large bowl! * only when not melting butter. And the popcorn that escapes my dog runs and eats before I can get to!
1583539
I had one of these as well.Mine did the same thing, finally though it away.Bought a stir crazy popper, no problems......
1839884
we haven't experienced a cracking problem. Our last one lasted for several years until I dropped it on a hardwood floor.I think it pops better corn then the stir crazy that we had before.
1839883
I have had NO problems and I use a tiny coating of oil which I put in before I turn it on maybe a minute before adding the popcorn. We have used this every night since we got it and love it. I have been very pleased to have no problems at all. Hope this helps.
47970
I have yet to burn popcorn, because once it starts popping, most of the popcorn falls out of the bowl on its own. Once you hear it start popping just watch and empty the rest of the bowl when it is no longer popping. Great buy.
2271420
Sorry no experience with the West Bend Stir Crazy Popper. If it's of any use this machine works reasonably well. We've had an antique oil popper that we finally decided to replace. The popcorn that was produced by the old popper was far better than this one, in that it was much more crisp. This tastes more like air popped than oil popped to us.
1341188
hi Lindsey, although I have a few Cuisinart kitchen appliances, I DO NOT recommend this one. It has two side latches that break pretty easy. Got the first one replaced after it broke after two uses and it happened again. Called Cuisinart and they were supposed to mail the parts about six months ago- never did. I would try another popcorn maker.
1858173
I just made kettle corn with my Great Northern popper last week using the following recipe and it turned out fantastic; without the burning that many people complain about. 2 Tablespoons regular olive oil or vegetable oil, 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, 1/2 cup corn kernels, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/3 cup sugar. Heat the oil, butter, salt and sugar over medium heat till hot then add the corn. When the kernels start to pop start turning the handle and continue until the popping stops. Pour into a large bowl and break up any large clumps. Be careful because the corn will remain very hot because of the sugar. Enjoy! I just made kettle corn with my Great Northern popper last week using the following recipe and it turned out fantastic; without the burning that many people complain about. 2 Tablespoons regular olive oil or vegetable oil, 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, 1/2 cup corn kernels, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/3 cup sugar. Heat the oil, butter, salt and sugar over medium heat till hot then add the corn. When the kernels start to pop start turning the handle and continue until the popping stops. Pour into a large bowl and break up any large clumps. Be careful because the corn will remain very hot... » Read More I just made kettle corn with my Great Northern popper last week using the following recipe and it turned out fantastic; without the burning that many people complain about. 2 Tablespoons regular olive oil or vegetable oil, 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, 1/2 cup corn kernels, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/3 cup sugar. Heat the oil, butter, salt and sugar over medium heat till hot then add the corn. When the kernels start to pop start turning the handle and continue until the popping stops. Pour into a large bowl and break up any large clumps. Be careful because the corn will remain very hot because of the sugar. Enjoy! « Show Less
181048
Worked fine for me as well. I did seem to notice some variance in how quickly it would roast from batch to batch, but that may have been due to outside temp more than the popper.