Popping your own corn at home is more economical than buying plastic-based store-bought microwave options, more affordable than buying ready-made bags of popcorn, more enjoyable than just opening a packet, and arguably tastier too. While electric popcorn makers are a strong option, they do take up cupboard and counter space. The makers we're featuring in this selection are a more lo-fi, storage-space friendly solution for making popcorn at home.
Available in an amazing 18 different colorways, so you are pretty much guaranteed to find a hue to suit you, the Salbree silicone solution is a kitchen classic that bags our staff pick. It will cook your popcorn in around three to four minutes. The food-safe silicone bowl collapses down for simple storage, and it has an easy measure at the base to use the correct amount of kernels. Also, there are handles for easy lifting, and the bowl and lid can go in the dishwasher.
This pack of two single-serve (approximately one ounce) microwave popcorn makers is a sleek and modern option from contemporary kitchen brand Joseph Joseph. Made of food-safe silicone, the clever design sees a guide on the base for kernel quants, and the fold-down lid popping up with the corn is done and has expanded to the top of the maker — a perfect popcorn accessory for modern, minimalist kitchens.
Made from high-temperature safe borosilicate glass, this classic container has a three-in-one lid that helps you measure the correct amount of kernels, melt butter while the popcorn's a-poppin' and keep the stuff from exploding everywhere while it does. 100% dishwasher-safe, this three-quart family size option makes popcorn in around three minutes.
If you're a fan of timeless kitchenware that will never go out of fashion, consider Nordic Ware's popcorn popper. Made in the USA from high-density plastic, this strong, quality container can withstand some severe heat and laughs in the face of dishwashers. Just add half a cup of kernels, stick the lid on, dial-up four minutes on your microwave oven and wait for the ping.
Do you want up to three quarts of scrumptious popcorn in as little as two and a half minutes? Of course you do! This is what the epically named "PowerPop" will deliver. The force is strong with the PowerCup bowl and PowerBase concentrator that combine forces to focus your microwave's energy for efficient popcorn heating with very few kernels left over.
For our final choice, we're going traditional with the handsome Original Great Northern Stovetop Popcorn Spinner. Harking back to a pre-microwave era, this is a fun way to make hot, tasty popcorn at home. This pan can make up to five quarts of popcorn with the spinner stirring mechanism preventing burning while the wooden handle and knob prevents you burning.
DIY deliciousness
We have selected six savvy solutions for making your own fresh popcorn at home. If you're home alone, then the Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine Microwave Silicone Popcorn Popper, is a handy tool to have to hand as it quickly and easily rustles up a one-ounce single-serve portion.
If you're looking to make popcorn for a crowd, or want to add a bit of theater into your snack-making experience, consider the old-fashioned Great Northern Popcorn Original Spinner Stovetop Popcorn Popper, it's great fun to use and can make up to five quarts at a time.
Our overall pick, the Original Salbree Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper, gets our buttery thumbs up as a space-saving, simple solution that can make a family-size portion of popcorn before going obediently into the dishwasher.
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