CJ Lifestyle Collapsible Microwaveable Popcorn Popper Machine with Silicone Bucket

This is a very good popper and the fact that it's collapsible and easy clean is a bonus. I picked this style because it has handles. I'm removing one star because there aren't any instructions; I had to search and experiment to find what works best for my microwave. This is how I make popcorn in my 1200W microwave: Pour 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil in bottom of popper, add 1/8 teaspoon powdered salt, add 1/4 cup popping corn, stir till kernels are coated. Microwave on High for 1 minute and 50 seconds. The popcorn comes out golden inside (not brown). I use Redenbacker's Original. Less than 1 teaspoon of kernels do not pop; I prefer that to having all the kernels popped and brown. I purchased the powdered salt at amazon.

I really like this popcorn maker. It is a fast way to make popcorn. I only gave it 4 stars because I wish it would have been made of a little heavier silicone. It is really flimsy. I have collapsible strainers that are made heavier and they collapse fine. I really like the lid and how it rises with the corn as it pops. This is a good product and I hope the manufacture will make them heavier. I will buy another one if they do.

Very happy with this popcorn popper. Previously I owned a Nordic Ware popcorn popper for the microwave which is similar in concep thttps://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Microwave-Popcorn-Popper/dp/B00004W4UP/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483408878&sr=8-1&keywords=nordic+ware+popcorn+popper+microwave, but after using both we prefer the collapsible popcorn popper. Our first Nordic Ware popper lasted quite a long time before the lid cracked, The second one didn't last nearly as long. Still it got a lot of use and we were happy with it. I was hesitant to go with a different product, especially one that costs more because we liked it so much. This popper works better for us for the following reasons:-more kernels are popped-less time to pop the kernels-doesn't require oil-handles do not get hot so it is easy to handle out of the microwave-bowl cools quickly-collapses easily for more convenient storageThe bowl is a bit flimsy, but doesn't seem to impact performance or use. I'm hoping that the fact it is made of silicone means less chemicals from plastics are leaching into food. I was a bit surprised that even the lid is silicone. It actually rests down inside the bowl a bit- not resting on top like the plastic lid of the nordic ware popper did. I would definitely recommend this to others even at the comparably higher cost.

I love the idea of this microwaveable popper, but can't seem to get the right mix to be able to pop all the kernels without the rest burning. A lot of kernels are left over. Plus, the bowl is extremely hot after getting it out of the microwave, and not sturdy enough to hold with one hand without the bowl collapsing and popcorn falling out. Otherwise, this cheaper version is probably the same as the more expensive ones.

I must say, this popper works great! I have used it at least 12 times since buying it and have never had a fresher-tasting popcorn in my life. It does not, however, pop every kernel -- as some people claim. This could be me not experimenting enough.Clean-up is super easy -- just wipe with a towel or cloth. Or wash by hand.If I had to recommend this for a family, I'd say -- get the West Bend "Stir Crazy" because it makes a far greater quantity of popcorn at one time. And it's my all-time favorite popper. But this popper holds just enough for a single person, and would be PERFECT for a student away at college with only a microwave in their room. Very easy storage.One Comment: After about 12 servings, the nice clear silicone top has started to turn an "old-looking" yellow, like those old white spatulas did back in the day. If this bothers you, I doubt you can fix it. It has not affected the ability of the popcorn to still taste fresh and crisp. Really -- I was VERY SURPRISED at how fresh the popcorn comes out. It's even better-tasting than from the "Stir Crazy". A little salt (and no butter) -- and I'm done!

This popcorn popper is FANTASTIC! I'm a big popcorn snob, and usually make the corn on the stove with a favorite pan, but that never fails to be a bit messy. I made perfect popcorn in the microwave, the first time I used it. I mixed canola oil, butter, corn and salt in the bottom of the bowl and set the microwave timer to 5 minutes. I then listened until the popping began to slow down, just like you would when making regular, packaged microwave corn. I removed the popper from the microwave after noticing that the popping had slowed down and added a bit more salt, and then enjoyed delicious, home made popcorn! So thrilled!

I just received this popper so have only used it for two poppings so far. I used olive oil in the base then added the kernels. The timing was about the same as my Nordic popper which is around 2 minutes, 15 seconds. It popped beautifully leaving only a few kernels. I popped one batch a few seconds longer to try to get all the kernels to pop but that left the popcorn a little overdone. The oil doesn't splatter around the edges of the lid into the microwave as my Nordic did. As the popcorn pops, it lifts the lid. The handles are hot when the popping is done so I used potholders. This popper is very easy to use and clean!

When I read all the gushing 5 star reviews I was a little suspicious, but last night I got my popper and I'm delighted.I will simply echo other reviews and say that this popper is the essence of simplicity; simple design, very lightweight and easy to store, super easy to clean and it works really, really well. CJ Lifestyle sent me email that included some recipes and instructions, so don't despair when the box arrives with no pieces of paper; think instead of the trees being saved and look for email from CJ Lifestyle, and lacking that a web search will turn up lots of recipes. A little experimentation (tasty experiments) and you will feel like a pro.