Customer Reviews

Back to Basics Stainless-Steel Stove-Top Popcorn Popper

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I received the Back to Basics stainless steel stovetop popcorn popper as a Christmas gift from my husband. I have used it twice already and both times all but two kernels of popcorn popped. The popcorn is not tough and it is very flavorful without using a lot of butter. The recipe I used is as follows: 3 tbs. peanut oil
2 tbs. butter
1/2 c. popcorn
popcorn salt to taste
Heat oil in popper over med. high heat then add butter and popcorn. Lightly coat popcorn kernels with salt. Stir until popping is almost done and pour into bowl and enjoy.

Better than the Whirley Pop. I chose this popper for two reasons. 1) A number of the reviews I read warned of the plastic gear on the lid breaking. The gear on this one is metal. 2) This one is stainless steel and NOT ALUMINUM (unlike the Whirley POP). And yes, this IS a concern. There are numerous studies linking aluminum and Alzheimers as well as other neuropathic disorders. Remember that those many many popcorn kernels will be scraping the bottom of the pan, rubbing off aluminum particles continuously for 3-5 minutes EVERY time you use the popper. What rubs of may be trace, but adds up after awhile. Even if you don't believe this or haven't done your research, is it really worth the risk? Especially since there is another option available? Go with the Back to Basics stailess steel popper.

Plus, it makes GREAT popcorn. If the other reviews haven't convinced you, I hope this one will. Many have said that this style of popper makes popcorn that tastes "the same" as movie theater popcorn. I would not say that, but it is as good, if not better, than movie theater popcorn--just a different good. The crisp, fluffy texture of the popped corn is what makes it soooo wonderful. I have a hard time stopping. I just keep crunching. and crunching. and crunching. . .

The other thing that makes it so good is the ability to add salt and oil to taste while cooking. You can also add other seasonings/flavorings. You can make it exactly the way you like it. With airpoppers you have to add the oil and salt or seasonings after cooking; this often makes the corn defluff or just seem greasy, and the salt doesn't stick as well, especially if you are trying to go low fat. Besides the fact that it's yummy and fun to eat, one of the great draws of popcorn is that it is (potentially) a healthy snack--if you go low salt and low fat. Because you can adjust the amounts of "bad stuff" you add, this popper is a great way to balance health concerns with great taste. I usually use an easy tablespoon of oil and an easy 1/2 teaspoon of salt per 1/2 cup of kernels. You can use less of either depending on your concerns. What you get, per 1/2 cup kernels (without salt or oil) (approx): a high fiber (7g), low calorie (194 kcal), low fat (2.3g) snack that also has a variety of vitamins and minerals to boot. The vast majority of the calories are from complex carbs (the good carbs) and VERY few are from sugar. However, keep in mind that many people will only eat half this amount in one sitting.

To address some of the negative comments in other reviews, it is true that the lid is a little tricky to get on/in place, but it's not that bad, really. Rather than a two second mindless sweep of your arm, it will require 30 seconds, both hands, and a little attention to what you're doing. You brace the pot in one hand, put the nub in a little hole, and snap the bracket into place on the other side with your other hand. Also, keep in mind that you really don't have to clean it(or take the lid off) every time you use it (oil is reusable, not that there will be much left in the pan). We use our popper regularly, so it stays on the stove, and I only clean it after about every third use. It could be my imagination, but I believe the "in-between" batches are actually tastier.

As to the lid not staying shut, I haven't had that problem with mine. It is not air tight--and is not supposed to be. That's why there are little vents all over the lid. The lid does stay in place, though, so don't worry--the popping corn is not going to come flying out of the pot or anything. My advice is, first, to check the seller ratings here on the site. Make sure you can return the product and that they have a positive history in dealing with returns. Then, when you get your popper, check it before you use it to make sure everything is in working order. That's just good sense. Chances are, you're not going to get a defective one. Remember that they sell HUNdreds of these things. Those who have written in are probably just the vocal, unlucky few. Look at how many positive reviews there are.

Bottom line? This inexpensive popper makes great popcorn, and you can jazz it up according to your tastes and preferences. You're going to love it!

This popper is the one I should have bought in the beginning. I chose the less expensive one first but the plastic gear between turn handle and internal rotary paddle got stripped. Heat and plastic are not a compatible combination. The Back to Basics version has a metal gear, making this popper well worth the few extra dollars.

I read much about the lid problem some purchasers had with this product before purchasing. Being somewhat mechanical adept I thought I might fix the problem if it presented. When the product arrived, I read the instructions manual which isn't very complex, after all this is only a popcorn popper.

I attempted to install the lid and could see immediately the problem others were experiencing and the frustration it could cause. Granted, one would expect the product to ship without a lid installation issue but that wasn't my experience. As many had reported the lid would not install sufficiently to use the popper. This is a pitty as the rest of the construction appears relatively good enough to permit easy popping.

Ok.. After looking at what was causing the problem I simply made two small adjustments and now the lid install easily every time. This is what I did. The metal lip on the lid, above the dowel that plugs into the pan needs to be bent inward toward the handle. The lip is stainless and quite rigid so it will take a lot of pressure from plyers or a crescent wrench to make it bend. Only bend it a little to allow the lid to move closer to the lip of the pan.

Next on the opposite side where the clip on the lid under the handle locks to the bottom of the pan with a spring action is another lip like the one just bent. Bend this lip inward also a little. Bending both should allow the lid to set into the pan top and allow the snap clip under the handle to lock into place under the pan lip securing the lid. You can also bend the spring clip as needed to ensure locking.

As mentioned in other posts, lifting both halves of the lid prior to inserting the dowel of the lid into to pan eases installation.

This solved my problem and if your lid was like mine then it should solve yours also.

By the way... popcorn made in this popper is superior to anything I have ever used before, popping all corn, not burning and producing great tasting popcorn.

I use extra virgin organic coconut oil and it produces superior tasting popcorn without having to add butter or other oils for taste. Coconut oil is one of few healthy oils even if it is saturated. Also it won't smoke until about 450 degrees making it an ideal oil for high heat cooking.

I thought this would be a great replacement for our aluminum whirly popper that one of my kids liberated when they moved away. Alas, I've been sadly disappointed. The lid absolutely does not stay closed, despite all sorts of adjustment attempts. So one has to learn how to turn the "stirrer" with one hand and hold the handle (plus hold the lid closed) with another hand. Plus, it is slower to heat up and weighs a lot more than my old whirly. Lastly, I've had various of the riveted parts fall off and one of the wood knobs split in two. All of this with fairly light use.

So....I'm going back and ordering the good 'ole aluminum whirley again.

Stove-popped popcorn is WAY better than air- or microwave- popped popcorn. This one is SOOO much easier to use than a regular cooking pot with lid. We've used it nearly every day since we got it. Buttered popcorn, cheese sticks & apple/orange slices is the dinner the kids are begging for. So I'm not complaining.

Cons: Yes, the LID is a little awkward, but there is a gadget holding the lid on that I find if it is turned wrong will make the lid pop up. Just have to make sure it is turned right to keep it closed. Also, if you take the entire lid off to clean, it is tricky to get it back on -- I get a little impatient with it, but I figured out that if both lids are OPEN when you put it on it goes on much easier. The company could do better at redesigning the lid.

Pros: I've never owned another stove-top popper, just used my good 'ol cooking pot and this is way EASIER, much more EFFICIENT (popped ALL of the kernels whereas my old pot left about 30-50 unpopped). The POT part of the popper is VERY STURDY, heavy-duty and able to withstand high temperatures. The lid even has VENTS in it, which is very important in making good popcorn, it lets out the moisture produced when popping! PRICE: Only cost $20 -- I think that is the perfect price for this contraption -- if I had paid $30 or more I would be somewhat disappointed, but I'm happy with it and LOVE MY POPCORN.

If you can get past the finicky lid, it is a GREAT deal and so much fun to use!

A few Popping hints:

1. WASH the pot with soap/water before using!! (oops, I didn't and had to throw out the first batch)

2. use 3 Tbsp veg. oil and let it heat up BEFORE putting in the popcorn (test the oil by putting in a kernel, if it pops in about 3 minutes it is hot enough).

3. use NO MORE than 1/2 cup of kernels -- in fact, slightly less is just perfect. Any more and the popped corn will not fit in the pot.

4. 1 batch (1/2 cup) of popcorn produces barely enough popcorn for our family of 6. It would be perfect for a family of 4. 1 1/2 batches is just right.

We like everything about this popper except the design of the lid. We were aware of this issue prior to purchase due to previous reviews but liked the idea of a higher quality stainless product after using similar aluminum products in the past. It works fine once you get used to holding the lid closed with the left hand while stirring with the right but is not as convenient to operate as the traditional whirley-popper. Except for the lid, this popper is built better than our previous aluminum whirley-poppers, with metal gears instead of the nylon gears that have been more prone to failure. The bottom of the SS pan hasn't been as prone to the hard-to-remove accumulation of burned oil over time like our aluminum pans were. We think the heat dispersion should be more even on the thicker and heavier SS. We appreciate the durability and performance of the SS pan which we feel results in superior popcorn. We always liked our aluminum whirley-poppers but love this SS popper and feel it is worth the extra cost if you consume as much popcorn as we do.

This popper is a fantastic alternative to the Whirley Pop (which is 100% aluminum) and the ubiquitous VOC-emitting microwave bags. I received a Whirley Pop over the holidays and immediately returned it to get this Back to Basics model, as it is stainless steel and has metal gears instead of cheap plastic ones.

This device is easy to use, and it pops nearly all the kernels (only 5-10 unpopped per batch). The popcorn's crispness and flavor are unbeatable. I put 1-2 Tbsp oil in the popper and then add the popcorn and start stirring. It always turns out perfectly. Lately I've been adding 1-2 Tbsp sugar to make kettle corn, and it's just like the real thing you buy at the fair!

What the other reviewers say about the somewhat ill-fitting lid and the difficulty in reattaching it is correct, for which I'm taking one star off my rating. One side of my lid stays open about 5 mm -- not enough for anything to come flying out, luckily. After detaching the lid for washing, you need a determined hand and a little finagling to get it back on; but rest assured, it does reattach. If Back to Basics could design a better-fitting lid, this popper would get 5 stars.

Pro:

Popcorn popper performs well, as advertised. The popper requires only medium heat and very little oil, and with the crank handle, it's rare that any of the kernels do not pop or that any of the popcorn is burnt.

Con:

The only con I have is that the lid is difficult to attach proplerly. It takes some strength and patience.

I have been a popcorn enthusiast since I was a child. My parents used a stovetop hand-cranked popper. It was over 40 years old when I wore it out 2 years ago. I searched for the perfect replacement and this is definitely it. I love how it makes a large batch without wasting any kernels and with no burning whatsoever. I use canola oil. Lately, my husband and I are addicted to Chipotle Popcorn Seasoning. It imparts a smoky flavor and I add it to the oil at the beginning. I also add popcorn salt liberally once popping is finished. Just wash it in the dishwasher - no problems. After 2 years of steady use, it has proven to be a great buy.