After graduating from college, but before moving to New York City, I worked for six months on a farm in Vermont. I didn’t learn anything about succession planting, sustainable soil, or grafting heirloom apples, but I did learn that the Whirley Pop is the world’s best popcorn popper.
The Whirley Pop is an unassuming aluminum pan with a wooden crank, and here’s how it works: First, you put in popcorn kernels and (optional) oil. Place it on the stove top at medium heat. Then, you turn the crank for less than three minutes, or until it becomes difficult to turn, and you end up with the lightest, fluffiest, most fully realized popcorn pillows imaginable.
Reader, I know what you’re thinking. Microwave popcorn is fine, right? Well, yes, if (1) you have a microwave, and (2) you’re totally fine with whatever “natural and artificial flavor” chemicals yield that inimitable faux-butter flavor (even the diacetyl-free versions). Maybe you’ve invested in a plug-in Air Popper, which my mother bought when I was a kid and tended to clog, burn, and leave the kernels with a hot, mechanical aftertaste.
For purists who aren’t after a burnt or fake-butter flavor, though, the Whirley Pop gets it right every time (other similar poppers don’t have nearly as many glowing reviews). Unless you completely overload the pan with kernels — a half cup of kernels is ideal and yields about six quarts (the size of two standard microwave bags) — it is pretty much impossible to burn, thanks to two long rotating tines that whisk around as you diligently turn the crank. When I’m feeling really abstemious, I don’t use any oil, which is almost as delicious as when I’m feeling very Ina Garten and want to empty the entire dairy contents of my refrigerator (I’m eyeing this recipe).
The best part of all? The Whirley Pop doesn’t need to be washed — just wipe it out after each use with a paper towel — and should you ever grind your gears into non-functionality (speaking from experience here), it has a no-questions-asked, L.L. Bean–style 25-year warranty on its website, even if you buy on Amazon. It also makes an ideal gift for the person who has everything slash anyone you’d want to spend 30 bucks on without looking totally thoughtless. My sister fit conveniently into both categories and, hand to God, uses her Whirley Pop almost nightly. Wabash Valley Farms Whirley Pop Stovetop Popper
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Wabash Valley Farms Stainless Steel Whirley-Pop Popcorn Popper. For a more traditional popcorn maker, we found that this stovetop model yields a close equivalent to movie theater popcorn—up to 6 quarts (24 cups) of it, in just three minutes. This maker ranked high for its easy setup.
What’s even better than the no-frills, no-electrical-plugs aspect is that the Whirley Pop is highly efficient at its job. No kernel gets left behind (and no burnt guys, either). That’s thanks to the inner stirring mechanism, which ensures even heat distribution among the kernels. The only time I’ve ever burned a batch was when I used less than the recommended half-cup of corn and I couldn’t tell when it was all popped. An excuse for a bigger bowl of popcorn? I think so.
It’s essentially a very lightweight aluminum pot featuring a fancy lid that’s fitted with steam vents, gears and a special stirring mechanism attached to an exterior handle. To make a batch of popcorn, you add about a tablespoon of oil (or, my preference, clarified butter) and a half-cup of corn kernels to the pot, set your stove to medium-high, then crank the handle nonstop until the popcorn does its magic. Once the handle gets too hard to turn, all your popcorn is popped. Easy-peasy.
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The cleanup, while not that much of a hassle, is the only drawback. The aluminum pot is easy; it’s the metal stirring apparatus that takes some wiping and can be finicky. (The brand says you can just wipe it with a paper towel, but I like to be more thorough.) But has anyone ever said they like doing the dishes after snack time? Maybe someone with a dishwasher…but I digress.
I’m also a sucker for the nostalgic aesthetics of my Whirley Pop. Unlike an air-popper or microwave, it’s unassuming and blends in with the rest of my pots and pans. But it also makes me feel like I’m living out my off-the-grid, cabin-in-the-woods dream.
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POPSMITH vs. Whirly Pop: The Ultimate Stovetop Popcorn Popper Showdown!
FAQ
Can you use butter instead of oil in Whirley Pop?
Is it cheaper to pop your own popcorn?
Is air popped popcorn better than oil popped?
Should I wash my Whirley Pop?
Is a Whirley Pop worth it?
If you love making popcorn at home, then yes, the Whirley Pop is worth it. The thin aluminum and hand-cranked spider legs ensure even distribution of heat, so you’re reliably left with a larger yield of crisp, popped kernels than you’re likely to get with a standard pot given the occasional shake.
How much does a Whirley popcorn maker cost?
Buy: Whirley Pop Popcorn Maker Movie Theater Combo Pack, $34.99 This old fashioned, stove top popcorn maker feeds a crowd, it makes 24 cups of popcorn to be exact! This combo pack comes with gourmet movie theatre popcorn for the perfect cozy night in.
What is a Whirley Pop?
The all-aluminum Whirley Pop makes popping and seasoning popcorn easy. Not only is it fast, but it leaves practically no kernels unpopped. And thanks to its handle, you can easily mix in melted butter, salt, coconut oil, etc.
Does a Whirley Pop really work?
Once the handle gets too hard to turn, all your popcorn is popped. Easy-peasy. What’s even better than the no-frills, no-electrical-plugs aspect is that the Whirley Pop is highly efficient at its job. No kernel gets left behind (and no burnt guys, either).