Nordic Ware Microwave Popcorn Popper
Last updated date: January 31, 2020
DWYM Score
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We looked at the top Popcorn Makers and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Popcorn Maker you should buy.
Overall Take
In our analysis of 40 expert reviews, the Nordic Ware Nordic Ware Microwave Popcorn Popper placed 9th when we looked at the top 11 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.
Editor's Note February 20, 2020:
Checkout The Best Popcorn Maker for a detailed review of all the top popcorn makers.
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From The Manufacturer
Our poppers are among the best-selling items in our microwave line, and it's no wonder they're so pop-ular--they work like a charm, yet require no oil! Our poppers are made using a propriety material that is BPA and Melamine-free. The raw material resembles white clay, and is soft to the touch. It is carefully cut and weighed by hand before it gets molded. Next, it is placed into a compression molding machine, which combines hydraulic pressure with heat to trigger a curing process. The material 'bakes' and cures inside of the press for just a minute at around 450 degrees F. This material is what differentiates our poppers from other less expensive ones on the market---ours are actually oven safe to 400 degrees F forever once they're cured, so they never melt. Once the curing process has completed, the press opens, and the popper comes out. Each popper goes through a hand-finishing process by one of our skilled craftspeople to smooth and trim the edges before being paired up with a clear lid.
An Overview On Popcorn Makers
Make movie night at home just as special as movie night out with a delicious bowl of homemade popcorn. Find your favorite recipe and make it a gourmet popcorn or just add some butter for a classic favorite. The best popcorn maker will pop every last kernel without burning any and that can be a tough thing to find. There are several different types of popcorn makers out there so let’s see which are the best right now.
First let’s explore what it is that makes corn pop. When you buy popcorn kernels at the grocery store it is a kernel made with a hard shell around it. Inside the shell is some moisture and starch along with the kernel. When heated, the moisture makes the shell pop off and the starch, moisture and corn instantly mix to create the puffy white food we love to eat. There must be enough moisture inside the shell, the heat has to rise enough, and the shell has to open for the corn to pop. If one of these is missing, your kernel will stay a kernel.
So now that we have a simple understanding of the process, we can think about what makes a good popcorn maker. There are a couple of different types of popcorn makers. There is the old-fashioned type that looks like a pot with a lid but features a handle that turns the blade on the bottom of the pot such as The Whirley-Pop Popcorn Popper Kit. In this version, the kernels sit on the bottom of the pot as it heats up on the stove. The blade turns the kernels so they don’t burn before they can pop open. The Great Northern Antique Popcorn Machine works similarly but is a bigger display unit with all the mechanics showing for a fun popcorn experience.
If you want a simple way to make kernels pop in the microwave without getting the bags, you will need a special bowl and lid. The Original Microwave Popcorn Popper and Popco Silicone Microwave Popper with Handles are two that will get your kernels popping in no time. These two popcorn makers create a steamy interior with a lid that sits snug against the silicone bowl in the microwave. This makes sure that the popped corn doesn’t burn while the last of the kernels continue to pop. These options are made from food-grade silicone for a safe cooking experience.
There is no better way to enjoy movie night than with a bowl of perfectly popped corn with your own personal topping to make it a great treat. Find the best popcorn maker for you and you’ll be halfway to that cozy night in with an exciting new movie.
DYWM Fun Fact
Here are a few fun facts about popcorn:
- Roughly 17 billion quarts of popcorn is eaten in the U.S. every year.
- Nebraska is the leading producer of popcorn at roughly 250 billion pounds per year.
- Illinois has an Annual Popcorn Day since popcorn is their official state snack.
- One quart of popped corn is equivalent to two tablespoons of kernels.
- One cup of popcorn kernels is about 1,600 kernels in total.
- Studies show that autumn is when most popcorn is consumed.
- Unpopped kernels are referred to as “spinsters” or “old maids.”
The Popcorn Maker Buying Guide
- Make sure you have the freshest kernels for the highest levels of moisture. An old bag of kernels will have dried out a bit and won’t pop like they should.
- Popcorn needs a higher temperature to make the moisture cause pressure on the kernel so make sure you heat it up appropriately.
- If using a microwave, be sure to check the power level before popping the corn and match it to the power level recommended on the bag of kernels.