Secret Shopping & Work From Home Opps

The Presto Powerpop Microwave Multi Popper

Popcorn is a great snack anytime, and I too have evolved to the convenience of microwave popcorn. About four years ago, I purchased the Presto Powerpop at Walmart. It has since become my primary source for popping my kernels. The popper is durable and as convenient as microwave popcorn for a lot less money. And, the usual desired ingredients such as salt and butter can be added right to the bowl before popping.

The popper contains four parts: an interlocking base and bowl, the lid, and concentrators. The concentrator is a small disk-shaped paper, designed to be used with the Powerpop (pictured). Packages of concentrators are in quantities of eight.

To make a bowl of popcorn, place the concentrator in the bottom of the bowl, add kernels and add other desires such as salt, butter, and/or oil. Place covered bowl in microwave and pop. That’s it!!! It takes about three minutes to make a bowl of popcorn, depending on the microwave being used. For healthier popcorn, the kernels can be popped on their own without anything such as oils, butter, or salt.

Virtually every kernel pops. Very few are discarded so long as you start with the right portion of kernels. About ¼ cup does the trick. That’s roughly 16 bowls from a 32oz. bag of kernels. One bowl of popped corn is about the same serving size as a standard microwave bag of popcorn.

The PowerPop is also durable. I have used my popper well over a hundred times, and sent it through the dishwasher after each use. It still pops like new.

Now, I have noticed I usually want to add more butter and salt afterward. Not being a scientist, I’m uncertain if there is an evaporation effect that comes from using the microwave, but this would make sense. To remedy this, I started adding a small amount of butter and salt to the kernels before popping. This insures popped kernels at the bottom of the bowl also have these flavorings, and they are not just at the top layer. Then, I salt and butter the top layer to taste after popping.

Also, the popcorn has the consistency like regular bagged microwave popcorn. Not quite as puffy as stove-popped corn, but just as flavorful.

It’s been awhile since I purchased my Presto PowerPop. I have not seen them recently at Walmart, but they are available online at Kitchen Collection for $14.99 plus S&H. Walmart does carry the concentrators, but it seems they are often out of stock. When they are in stock, I purchase about four packages at a time. This lasts me 5-6 months. Kitchen Collection also carries the concentrators for $1.79 per package of eight (same quantity as Walmart). They are cheaper by the dozen through Kitchen Collection. If purchasing the PowerPop at Kitchen Collection, I recommend purchasing extra concentrators at the same time.

Overall, I recommend the Presto PowerPop. It is convenient, economical, and will last a long time. It is also endorsed by Orville Redenbacher.