Customer Reviews

Presto 114316 04820 PopLite Hot Air Corn Popper

5 star:		(511)
4 star:		(201)
3 star:		(36)
2 star:		(30)
1 star:		(55)

 

 

The Presto 04820 is a great inexpensive popcorn popper. It is very easy to use--simply pour in 1/2 cup of popcorn and turn it on. A minute or so later, the popcorn gets hot enough to pop and begins to flow (sometimes shoot) out the front of the unit. Have a nice big bowl in front of it! There is a butter cup on top of the unit. The idea is to use the popper's heat to melt the butter. It doesn't quite work out that way, because the butter doesn't have adequate time to melt. Fortunately, the butter cup is microwave (and dishwasher) safe, so you can just pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to finish the melting. Popcorn comes out very well popped, no burned kernels, and very few unpopped kernels (perhaps 5-10 total).

After popping, be sure to pour out the few kernels that might remain in the cooker. If you don't they might burn during the next batch. I found this out the hard way, when I smelled smoke and the unit immediately shut off. As long as you pour out the few unpopped kernels, all is well. Very low maintenance unit, just a quick wipe down, and washing of the butter cup.

Definitely, I can give a thumbs up to this popcorn popper.

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The Presto Poplite Popper is the same as the (more expensive)Presto Orville Redenbacher's Popper. I emailed Presto. They said "Functionally there is no difference between the two corn poppers". So save some money and get the Poplite. This popper works awsome. It blows away my old air-popper. It pumps out the popcorn super fast, with very few unpopped kernals.

I've had one of these for more than 10 years and am ordering a new one because the yellow plastic air guide has just disintegrated from age and heating. The motor and element are still working.

Yes: if you leave it alone it does throw out a few blistering-hot kernels. But if during the first 30 seconds of running you hold it and tilt it back about 30 degrees, it doesn't. As soon as any kernels have popped you can set it down again.

Lowest-calorie popcorn? At the supermarket, buy an aerosol can of cooking oil spray. Face the popcorn bowl, spray in right hand and salt-shaker in left. As the popcorn tumbles out, alternately spritz with cooking oil and sprinkle with salt. The oil spray has basically zero calories (a teaspoon per batch?) but it makes the salt stick to the popcorn!

Fun with your popper, impress the kids. There are always a few kernels that don't pop left in the bottom. And every time, one or 2 will go off a couple seconds AFTER you pull the plug. So: pull out the plug, slowly raise your index finger and point, magically, at the popper. Bang! Blow smoke off imaginery gun barrel.

At first- I experienced ALL of the cons that some of the other reviewers listed with the Presto Popper.
After lots of experimenting- I found solutions for all of them, and often enjoy a "full flavor" HEALTHY buttered/salted bowl of popcorn (inexpensive too!)!


This is how I now make "YUMMY" popcorn!
This takes a little extra effort, but the rewards are well worth it!
For this to work, you MUST NOT LEAVE UNNATTENDED, "for any reason"!
1. Instead of pouring the popcorn in a cold machine- I first preheat it by plugging it in for at least "3" minutes, with the top "completely off" (pour out any old unpopped kernels, before plugging it in!)!
While waiting- I put kernels the measuring cup, microwave my "good tasting" butter substitute (see #2), and fix drinks...
a. I now pour the kernels in, and place the top on, BUT DO NOT PUT THE MEASURING CUP ON TOP YET! This way the kernels, don't BLOW into the bowl..., they just circulate and stay inside & bowl stays cool!
b. As soon as you hear the first small pop (about 1 minute), QUICKLY! Place the measuring cup on top. The popping will soon be VERY rapid!
c. If the popcorn builds up, and does not blow into the bowl, it will burn. I hold onto the still cool top, tilt and firmly shake/tap/tilt... the machine until kernels fall into the bowl, and start blowing in on their own. Leave a few extra seconds for all kernels to pop (tilt back a little).

2. Now for the "good tasting!" butter substitute-
Update#1!- I now prefer organic butter, and finely ground (coffee Grinder...Tnx!)Natural/Healthier (processed salt is bad for you, and so is ANY margarine Google... it!) "Himalayan" mined Sea Salt is supposedly bad for you..., so I switched to Celtic Sea salt!Celtic Sea Salt, Fine Ground, By The Grain & Salt Society, 1 #
Update#2!- If you melt butter... in the cup on top, with ANY air popper! It WILL eventually crack & split!
a. If you must use margarine- I place 1/4 cup of "Country Crock Light" brand margarine (#1 in taste tests, NO trans fat, no cholesterol, cooks/melts... just like butter in ALL recipes/frying..., about $2.50 for a 3 lb tub) in a microwave safe ceramic/glass cup (no plastic EVER in microwave/BAD for you!).
I heat it on 5 for 10 seconds. Then stir well, and microwave for another 5 seconds, and stir well one last time. I then stir in a teaspoon of "Butter Buds" seasoning (for butter flavor)
Ready to pour on top of popcorn, and "quickly" stir in thoroughly with a coffee spoon.

3. For people on low-sodium!- Shake on some "AlsoSalt"- Excellent tasting "sodium free" Salt Substitute, that tastes MUCH like salt (no aftertaste...!)!
Not in most stores yet, but you can find/buy it online with a Google... search.
Comes in three flavors- Regular, butter, and Garlic (all are "EXCELLENT" for ALL cooking...).

4. Shake on some Parmesan Cheese/or Garlic..., for a GREAT taste treat!
ENJOY!

Trust a guy who eats popcorn every day - this is the one. Yes, you may get a stray kernel or two at the beginning and a few more at the end. This popper is much better than the others I've tried (3 other models).

This one also creates fluffier popped corn than average which is nice.

It's available for even cheaper at a certain retail behemoth that starts with Wa.

The PopLite does a good job of turning out a full four quart yield of popped corn (and then some) from the half cup measurement. However towards the end of the popping cycle, things start to get out of hand. Burning hot kernels and popped corn come flying out of the chute and richochet around the room. Keep kids and pets AWAY towards the end. Also when your bowl is filled with popcorn, the remaining kernels eject into them with such force that the top of your just-popped batch flies out everywhere.

The only halfway decent way around this is to make a tent around the sides of the chute with a dishtowel while the last kernels are popping out and be sure to stand close to the plug so you can yank it out when it reaches this frenzied stage. Don't attempt to pick up unpopped kernels from the floor as I did (and there will be quite a few, no matter how careful you are) as they're burning hot. If you can live with all of this, it does make decent popcorn.

Received my popcorn machine. Used slightly less than half a cup. Made more popcorn than two bags of the microwaved bagged popcorn I was previously using. Took two and a half minutes like the instructions said. Two ... TWO kernels didn't pop. THAT'S IT !!! No flying hot kernels came flying out. After it was done, I let it sit for a few minutes to cool down and put it away. One word came from the two of us ... WOW !!!

Perhaps even better. Not only does it pop nearly every kernel of at least one brand (I do believe some brands of popcorn perform better than others, but that's for another review) but it is remarkably easy to clean. I have not even been tempted, much less succumbed, to use butter.

As others have pointed out, you will need to unplug it rather than have it turn off when it is done. I view this as a safety feature. If it had an auto-off, the opportunity to just leave it popping while you popped into another room to pop in a DVD would be too great. If the auto-off failed, it would have to be designed to call the fire department. All in all, I prefer the former to the ladders.

BG

There is not too much that can be added to the excellent reviews and remarkable suggestions. However, if you read this through you'll see I have one key suggestion.

This popper is outstanding. It's not as messy as a stir-crazy and probably not as bad for you as microwave popcorn. It can produce great tasting popcorn if you do this:

Use the right corn - I've had great luck with Pop Secret Jumbo Kernel Jar, 30-Ounce Jars (Pack of 6) and Orville Redenbacher's Original Popping Corn Jar 30oz - 6 Unit Pack.

Other reviewers have provided the excellent suggestion of spraying olive oil with a Misto Gourmet Brushed Aluminum Olive Oil Sprayer. That is a very good idea and I have an improvement below. Also, if you use this sprayer for any reason be sure to twist the cap on the sprayer when you're done to release the pressure. It'll last longer that way.

You want to use real popcorn salt, for example Popcorn Salt. It's very finely ground and perfect for popcorn.

Now, here's my addition to the process that makes it (imho) perfect. Instead of olive oil in the sprayer, use Orville Redenbacher's Popping & Topping Buttery Flavor Popcorn Oil, 16 oz (Pack of 6). It may be a bit less healthy than olive oil but thanks to the sprayer you only use a very small amount and it tastes tons better!

Finally, I realize the links I've provided are for multiple quantities of everything. It's not to suggest that you buy that much but to provide the names and descriptions of the products I've found to be very good.

BTW, I feel that honest, effective reviews take the place of first-hand experiences that are lacking in online shopping. I've always appreciated the help I've gotten from other reviewers and continue to return the favor as best as I can. If you thought this review was helpful please let me know by clicking on "Yes" button where it asks. If there was anything you thought was lacking or unclear leave a comment and I'll do what I can to fix it.

I ordered this popper within the last three weeks, and have made popcorn about six times. I started it today, and a splinter of flame came out where popcorn usually does. I unplugged the unit, and waited. When I started it again, the same thing happened. I found the directions, and called the company. A machine came on stating that they could not take calls right now. I e-mailed the company at the e-mail address provided. Twice it came back undeliverable. This is going to be a hassle.

Before this moment, it was great.