Presto 04820 PopLite Hot Air Popper Reviews

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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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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.

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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.

UPDATE (2013): We still like this popper and the method described when our goal is for the healthiest result, like with our daughter and her friends. However, we've found that we also really like to use our Nordic Ware Microwave Popcorn Popper along with the popcorn I've mentioned in my review of it (currently on page 3). The results are probably less healthy and have a buttery flavor that I remember having at movie theaters a long time ago.

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. Let me know if you find this information helpful. Also, if there was anything you thought was lacking or unclear leave a comment and I'll do what I can to fix it.

Honest reviews on Presto 04820 PopLite Hot Air Popper

Nothing last forever.

Presto has been making this popper for a long time. I bought one about 15 years ago, and use it maybe once a week. Makes wonderful popcorn, evenly popped, no burning, no oils, just great popcorn. You do need to put a big bowl under it and turn the bowl, but with this slight attention, there is no mess.

The popper died last night -motor burned out. But how many consumer devices last 15 years? I got my money's worth.

So, I'm buying another one today. Why try something else when this works so well?

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Presto 04820 PopLite Hot Air Popper

After getting fed up with the unhealthy ingredients in microwave popcorn, and with the hassles of stovetop popcorn making, I tried this unit. WOW, what a great unit! Pops fast, ZERO cleanup, and you have the option of butter, no butter, etc. This unit also has a small footprint in a cabinet or on a countertop. This unit takes only a few minutes to make a large amount of popcorn.