Posted on Leave a comment

Black Jewell’s Original Black Popcorn Review

Black Jewell's Original Black Popcorn

Black Jewell sells a variety of specialty popcorn kernels, and their Original Black is one of their most popular. But are the smaller kernels of this gourmet popcorn worth the premium price?

Original Black is the product Black Jewell started with in small Illinois farm back in 1963. Still family owned, the company now offers 5 varieties of popcorn kernels (Original Black, Crimson Jewell, Native Mix, Mayan Gold and Pearly White), and 4 types of microwave popcorn (Natural, Butter, Kettle and No Salt/No Oil), all certified non-GMO. The product packaging and web site do not claim that their products are 100% organic.

Popping the Corn

In our testing, we popped several different batches of Original Black using air poppers and on the stove top. Each time, we had very few unpopped kernels left.

Using an air popper with Original Black can be a challenge. Since the kernels are smaller and lighter than regular popcorn, they have a tendency to fly right out of the popper, unpopped! Black Jewell recommends using a popper with reduced airflow, but we found that tipping the popper backwards a bit until popping starts in earnest was successful.

Black Jewell's Original Black Popcorn
Black Jewell’s Original Black Popcorn, popped and ready to eat!

Tasting

The popped corn is definitely smaller in size than normal popcorn, and this is part of the attraction of Original Black. The company claims that their popcorn is “virtually free of hulls” and we did find this to be true. If you are sensitive to the hulls in popcorn, or are bothered when they stick in your teeth, you may want to try a Original Black for this reason alone.

While the kernels are black, the resulting popcorn is white. The popcorn has a very pleasing crisp feel to it, and a very light flavor as well.

Black Jewell's Original Black Popcorn
Black Jewell’s Original Black Popcorn is nearly hull-less!

Summary

Overall, our tasters enjoyed the flavor and texture of Black Jewell’s Original Black popcorn. A healthy snack which nearly eliminates the hulls. The only negative is the cost – this gourmet popcorn costs 2-3 times as much as other non-GMO popcorns. Is it worth it? Try for yourself and let us know in the comments!

Posted on Leave a comment

Orville Redenbacher’s Stirring Popper by Presto

Orville Redenbacher's Stirring Popper by Presto

Orville Redenbacher’s Stirring Popper by Presto (05204) is the latest in a long line of oil poppers from the manufacturer. Does this model live up to Orville’s presumed standard for popcorn perfection?

Features

The stirring popper includes a solid base with a non-stick heating surface and a stirring rod to agitate the kernels during the popping. This also helps to prevent the popped corn from scorching. There is no power switch, so the heating element is controlled by plugging the unit in. The popper includes a popping cover to contain the popped corn (up to 24 cups), which has a butter melter on the top. A snap on cover is included as well, so the dome can be used as bowl after popping completes.

Performance

We tested Orville Redenbacher’s Stirring Popper by Presto by adding 3/4 cup yellow popcorn kernels and 2 1/2 tablespoons of oil, per the instructions. After affixing the dome to the base and removing the “butter melter cover”, we plugged it in.  Presto indicates that there is no need to pre-heat the popper.

The butter melter is a round area on the top of the popping cover which is perforated to allow melted butter to drip onto the popped corn. Per the instructions, the cover should be removed during popping to allow steam to escape regardless of whether any butter is being melted.

Popping started within 3 minutes, and continued for about 3 minutes before popping slowed to 2-3 seconds between pops. At this point, we unplugged the popper, replaced the butter melter cover, and flipped the entire unit over. Then, we lifted off the popper base to reveal 24 cups of fresh popped popcorn!

Orville Redenbacher's Stirring Popper by Presto
Plenty of Popcorn. Flip the popper over, and the cover becomes a serving bowl.

The popcorn was well popped, with only a few kernels remaining. In our first test, some popcorn was lightly over-cooked. In subsequent testing, stopping the popping process a little earlier avoided this. This is not difficult to do, but it does require practice and attention.

A more significant issue was the quality of the popped corn. Each time we tested Orville Redenbacher’s Stirring Popper by Presto, the resulting popcorn was somewhat tough and chewy. This was with the steam vent open, and no butter in the melter. We tested with yellow and white varieties of popcorn, and adjusted the oil amount within the range specified by Presto.

Clean up of the popper is a relatively simple, although manual, process. The stirring arm is attached to the base with a large knob. It easily unscrews, and both pieces can be washed with soap and water. The heating surface of the base is non-stick, and just needs to be wiped down. The popping cover/serving bowl must also be washed by hand, as none of the parts are dishwasher safe.

Presto includes an instruction manual with recipes, and a one-year warranty.

Summary

Orville Redenbacher’s Stirring Popper by Presto delivers 24 cups of popcorn quickly and easily. Cleanup is average among oil poppers. Our biggest concern is with the mouthfeel (is that a real word?) of the popcorn, as it was tough and chewy in every test.

In our house, the kids are often making the popcorn on movie night. The need to carefully attend the popping to ensure it doesn’t overcook, and the process of flipping the popper over when finished are two more issues we have with Orville Redenbacher’s Stirring Popper by Presto.

Posted on Leave a comment

West Bend Clear Air Popcorn Machine

West Bend Clear Air Popcorn Machine

The West Bend Clear Air Popcorn Machine (89013) is one of the most stylish appliances for popping corn. The contemporary look of the popper matches well with other stainless steel kitchen appliances, and the clear chamber uniquely provides a view into the popping action.

Features

The Clear Air Popcorn Machine has a compact, silver-grey base which includes a power switch and a cord storage area underneath. The main chamber is clear, glass lined, and permanently affixed to the base. In addition to providing a view, the glass also acts a sound insulator, making the Clear Air Popcorn Machine the most quiet air popper we’ve tested.

Performance

In our test, we added kernels to the fill line marked near the bottom of the chamber. The popper takes 1/2 cup of corn, but there is no measuring cup included. Once plugged in, the unit finished popping in approximately 3 minutes. There were a few unpopped kernels in the bowl, but only slightly more than average.

The kids love watching the West Bend Clear Air Popcorn Machine in action!

In repeated testing, we found two issues with the West Bend Clear Air Popcorn Machine. When adding kernels to the chamber, it can be hard to see the fill line depending on the lighting in your kitchen. We slightly overfilled the chamber on two occasions, and both times the kernels began to burn and produce smoke. When overfilled, the updraft of air is not sufficient to agitate the kernels.

The other issue we experienced was with the chute. The chute on this popper is plastic, and rests atop the popping chamber. It has a very small lip to hold it in place, and can be knocked off easily. It will not fall off unless bumped. This happened a couple of times when moving the bowl or adjusting the popper, blowing popcorn all over the counter each time.

West Bend provides an instruction manual and a one-year warranty. There is no measuring cup or butter melting capability included.

Summary

The West Bend Clear Air Popcorn Machine is one of the quietest and most stylish poppers we’ve tested. The compact design and low noise output make it a nice addition to smaller kitchens or apartments. The only two issues we experienced with the appliance are easily avoided.

Posted on Leave a comment

West Bend Air Crazy Hot Air Popcorn Popper

West Bend Air Crazy Hot Air Popcorn Popper

West Bend is well known for kitchen appliances, offering everything from coffee makers to slow cookers. The company currently offers a total of 8 popcorn poppers for sale, including oil, hot air, and “theater style” devices. The West Bend Air Crazy Hot Air Popcorn Popper (82418) is inexpensive and widely available, so how does it compare?

Features

The Air Crazy is a compact unit, intended to be stored out of the way when not in use, and the retractable power cord helps. The power switch is another nice feature, which more expensive units often lack. A measuring cup in the top chute doubles as a butter warmer. The top chute and measuring cup are both dishwasher-safe.

Performance

Hot air poppers use a heating element and fan to heat warm air, and blow it up through the kernels. Once popped, the corn should push out through the chute into a waiting bowl. West Bend recommends a 4QT bowl to hold the 16 cups of popped corn.

For our test, we filled the measuring cup all the way (1/2 cup of kernels), plugged in the popper, and turned it on. Our bowl was filled and the popper finished in just under 3 minutes, a bit slower than other similar units (2-2 1/2 minutes is normal). There were a few more unpopped kernels in the bowl than average, but not a significant amount.

The Air Crazy was noticeably quieter than the average hot air popper (but not as quiet as the West Bend Clear Air Popcorn Machine).

West Bend provides an instruction manual for the use and cleaning of the popper, and a one-year warranty. We did not try melting butter in the measuring cup, but the directions do recommend starting with softened butter.

The power switch is a nice feature, and made the popper much easier for the kids in our family to use. The retractable power cord helped with stowage.

Summary

The West Bend Air Crazy Hot Air Popcorn Popper is quieter and more compact than most competitors. It does take a little longer to pop a 1/2 cup of kernels than other similar units, but offers several convenience features not normally found in this price range.

Posted on Leave a comment

Presto PopLite Hot Air Popper

Presto PopLite Hot Air Popper

Presto is one of the biggest names in popcorn poppers, and the Presto PopLite Hot Air Popper (04860) is one of the most popular. But how does it perform? Will it work for you?

Features

The PopLite is a basic air-popper, with a measuring cup in the top chute which doubles as a butter warmer. The chute and measuring cup are not dishwasher-safe.

Performance

Hot air poppers heat popcorn kernels from below, with an updraft airflow which pushes the popped corn out the chute and into your waiting bowl. Occasionally, an unpopped kernel will bounce out with the popped corn. We found that this happened much less with the Presto PopLite than with other similar poppers. In our tests, the PopLite came very close to the manufacturer’s claimed 18 cup output, and left very few unpopped kernels.

No oil is needed in the cooking process, and for that reason, some people find air popped corn to be dry. This is easily addressed by drizzling melted butter or spritzing olive oil or other light oil-based topping after the popping is complete. The PopLite can even help, as the kernel measuring cup on the top of the chute serves double-duty by melting butter if you don’t mind the additional cleanup.

In our testing, the PopLite turned 1/2 cup of kernels into popcorn in approximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds. This in on par with the best air poppers, as fast microwave popcorn, and twice as fast as oil-based poppers.

The PopLite is slightly louder than average for an air popper.

Presto provides a manual on the use and cleaning for the popper, and a one-year warranty. There is a cup on the top of the chute for measuring a 1/2 cup of kernels and melting butter if desired.

The Presto PopLite does not have a power switch, so starting and stopping the process requires plugging and unplugging the power cord from the wall. This is inconvenient, and could be a concern for those with children who may use the appliance.

Summary

The Presto PopLite Hot Air Popper is a no-frills performer that efficiently makes excellent popcorn. There are almost no unpopped kernels left, and very little cleanup required when the PopLite is finished.