Original Whirley Pop Popcorn Machine – 3-Minute Stovetop Popcorn Maker for Home Movie Night & Game Night Snacks – Aluminum Pot with Metal Gears, Includes 1 Popping Kit – Silver

Have used this several times, just got it a week ago. The gears are metal, and they were not very smooth when we were looking it over, just unboxed. Discovered that very slight pressure as you turn the crank worked well with the first use. Do not force the turning handle, as the popcorn is finishing popping. We watched the company’s YouTube video on this pan and found it very helpful. After the first use, the oil seems to have traveled up the shaft to the gears, which now work great. I have only wiped down with paper towels, no soapy water after the first initial wash. No excess oil flying around outside of the lid, when in use. The stirring rods did not quite touch the surface of the pan when we first got it. A very gentle adjustment fixed the problem. Putting the lid on the pan, be sure to gently push it so the stationary side is well secured when you snap the main clips in place. This keeps it in place after popping the corn, and emptying the pan. Popcorn used was “Amish Country Med Yellow” using 3 Tblsp corn oil. Hardly any unpopped kernels, very fluffy, excellent results. Tried with coconut oil (2 Tblsp), and popcorn was great, but left more of a thick film on the pan that I didn’t like. No burned popcorn, cooked at medium heat, oil and popcorn was started in a cold pan. I wash the outside of the pan, with warm soapy water and have noticed no greasy mess on my stovetop. No metallic smell when using, and paper towels remain white when wiping the pan inside and outside. So far, so good.

Received the Whirley Pop aluminum model with metal gears today. I immediately registered it with Whirley Pop to activate the 25 year warranty. I washed it, seasoned it and poured in the Wabash Valley Farms popping kit that comes with the Whirley Pop. Used it on a gas stove set on medium heat. My first impression was that the unit seemed too thin and lightweight. However, I now believe that it may be constructed this way in order to more quickly transfer heat into the popcorn kernels. I was amazed at how fast it is to pop a batch of popcorn. The popping kit made it very easy, with the kernels, coconut oil, and popcorn salt all in one pouch. Just cut it open, pour it in and you're ready to go. I won't be purchasing any additional 'popping kits' however, after I see how much they cost. Definitely worth it to purchase kernels, oil and some Flavacol salt, and measure them out yourself. Much cheaper. The metal gears on the Whirley Pop operate smoothly, with no binding. The lid is easy to remove for cleaning, and while it does seem like some thin gauge aluminum, it does feel like it should last for years. Time will tell. The popcorn itself is much better looking and tasting than microwave popcorn, which is mostly all I've eaten for many years. I'm happy with this purchase, and would recommend this product if you're a popcorn enthusiast like myself. I will update if I have any issues with this product.

Excellent...only thing I would change would be to make the pan of a heavier metal but it works perfectly

I love this popper. I get some good coconut oil, some good popcorn, and put some salt in the pot before I pop ... it comes out delicious every time and this popper makes it super easy!

We bought the model with the metal gears (vs. plastic), for a few dollars more. We used it maybe a half dozen times and the metal gears became out of alignment, and we couldn't use it anymore. We hadn't had it long, and the company went good for a warranty replacement, which we had in 2-3 days. So, the product works great, it makes the best popcorn I've ever had at home. The quality feels a little on the "thin" side, but they stood behind the product and replaced it, so that's worth something. If you're looking for a popcorn popper for home, I have to say, this works great. I recommend.

This was a gift. My daughter is very happy with it. Makes the Best tasting popcorn!

Best popcorn maker i have ever owned

Crank broke after 2 months (about a dozen uses). I had an original WhirleyPop model which lasted 7+ years with regular use (until a hinge finally wore off on the lid). I should have read other reviews with same complaint since clearly this is common manufacturing defect. Unfortunately this is now unusable since the gear shaft is popping up and won't properly engage the gear to spin. Please don't waste your money as it seems WhirleyPop has really gone downhill in quality. UPDATE: I contacted Wabash Valley Farms about this and they said they would replace the lid for $8. Which is 1/4 the cost of the whole item!! When I called to explain that this is manufacturing quality issue and broke under normal use - support person was very rude said there was no way that could happen and I must have been using the product wrong (keep in mind I have used other whirley pop product for almost a decade). After seeing other reviews with same complaint it is clear that Wabash Valley Farms does not care about this issue and support refused to even acknowledge. Complete scam to make poor quality product and then charge extra money for shipping cheap replacement parts under guise of "warranty". Was a loyal supporter of WhirelyPop but am sad to say I will be going with other brand in future thanks to this aweful experience.

Fab popcorn marker, pleased with purchase. So quick with little waste.

This is such a great popcorn popper! The one downside: it does *not* work on induction cooktops. I have to set mine inside one of our brasier pans in order to use it but that isn't a deal breaker for me. The popper is lightweight, and very easy to use, as well as easy to clean. Using this popper has elevated my popcorn game and I am glad I gave this product a try! Every kernel pops in this popper.... every time, without fail. It's a g*ddamn delight! LOL!

I had been shopping for popcorn machine before I considered one of these whirley pop style makers. Now that I have this one, i'm glad I didn't go with a machine. With the right ingredients, the popcorn is at a level with 'movie-theatre' quality. It's delicious! Add your kernels, oil, and flavacol, turn the heat on (i use med heat), and stir the handle. Popcorn is ready in a few minutes. I do a half cup of kernels, which will fill the pot when popped. I believe a full pot would be equivalent to 2-3 bags of microwave popcorn. While cleaning the lid well can be a little cumbersome, it is much easier than cleaning out a machine! Overall, this has completely scratched the itch I have for quality popcorn.

It's a good product that does the job, but the material is a bit fragile

I've had one of these popcorn poppers for over 55 years now. NO one makes them like Wabash Valley Farms! Always the best and always good quality poppers - consistent popping all the time. This is my third one (they will replace under warranty, but my last one reached the 25yrs before it died).