Presto 05206 Showtime Gourmet Oil Popcorn Popper

This popcorn maker is great! It's super easy to use if following the instructions and the popcorn comes out tasting great. This is the perfect option for you if you're like me and don't like air poppers, microwave bags, burning popcorn on the stove, or buying a huge proper machine that takes up a lot of space. This one is compact, looks fairly nice, and collapses down to store really easily. When in use, I get very few unpopped kernels in the bottom, and I haven't had a single burnt one across about a dozen batches by following the instructions (after a 3 second delay in pops, turn it off and flip it over). The ceramic nonstick coating on the plate works really well too, I haven't noticed any sticking at all. And since you don't really need to use any utensils on it, I imagine the coating will hold up for a long time. I do make sure to use plenty of oil - 2 tbsp per 1/3 cup of kernels - and I typically go for the Orville Redenbacher specific popping oil but plan to test out refined coconut oil next as a more neutral option. Once it's done popping and I add some salt and clarified butter, this turns into movie theater-tier popcorn. A few minor annoyances with this machine: it's messy. The lid/bucket has slots in it to release steam, but at the same time, little drops of hot oil are going to go flying out when it's in use. I can typically fix this by laying a couple napkins or a paper towel on top, but I usually have to hold it sort of above the top so it catches the oil while also releasing the steam to keep the popcorn crunchy. This is probably the biggest issue with the machine. The bucket is also not super fun to clean - it's easy enough to hand wash, but I would have loved something dishwasher-safe to make it just a little less of a thing to use. Last, if you want to collapse it down for storage, there's no way to store it without the heating plate being exposed. In my house, it tends to collect airborne cat hair, so I have to be really careful to wipe it down before use every time. A cover or bag could have fixed this, but with the way it's designed you either have to store it with the very tall top on, or take it off and just be aware that you'll have to wipe it down before you put your oil on. Overall, this is a really nice popper that's surprisingly cheap. I've been using it quite a bit since I got it, and the difference from microwaved or air popped popcorn is honestly huge. If you're picky about your popcorn and don't mind a bit of a mess to clean up, I highly recommend this one!

This is the best popcorn maker I have ever tried. Movie theater delicious every time, and healthy. Huge plus is Its lid and cover are made from a heavy plastic that is easy to clean and it has nice handles you can hold onto. The durability of the lid and cover are really nice because I don't have to worry about them cracking if I accidentally drop them which has happened. The lid and cover you just clean with a wet sponge, drop of dish soap, rinse well, and air dry. Popper base you wait for it to cool down and use a paper towel or just clean it like the lid super easy. Cord wraps up nice and it stores away so nicely saving space. I do not have troubles burning popcorn with this popper. Also it pops a nice amount for 2 people. Fun part is If you have a dog they go crazy over this popcorn maker. As soon as they hear you use it they are right there wanting some fresh yummy popcorn. This one pops popcorn fast, and if you are concerned about burning the popcorn just shake the popper on the counter top. Making sure you are holding the lid and base by the outside handles. Use a little coconut oil and Bob's Red Mill popcorn and you will have delicious plain popcorn. If you want some flavor add some Flavacol popcorn salt. In a separate cup add just a little Flavacol to the oil dissolve it good. Then pour that on with the popcorn and it will be like movie theater popcorn. Add just enough oil to cover the bottom of the hot surface. This is the same with popcorn just enough to cover the surface and you will have awesome popcorn and no burning. You can use the lid as a bowl or pour that off into a bigger bowl it's up to you. I have lost count of how many times I have used this popcorn maker. I have popped over 10 pounds of Bob's red mill white popcorn and probably 10 pounds of Orville's original. This has saved me money and I have lost a little bit of weight eating healthy popcorn. Also my dog friend loves it so that makes it a lot of fun. Get one for yourself, buy this as a gift for a friend, and if you have a dog get one for your dog if they love popcorn.

I don't care for microwave popcorn because of all the chemicals in it so I've tried other options. The air popper was a total failure, the popcorn often was chewy instead of crisp. Maybe it was the popcorn, I used Orville & Amish. Who knows how old store bought popcorn really is. I used a big pot on top of my stove, but used a lot of olive oil, but that can get expensive. This Presto 05206 is a similar option so we gave it a try; hallelujah, best popcorn we've had in a long time! We've only used Orville so far, but we are happy with it. Almost all kernels pop; easy to clean up and store. I just hope it lasts. One last note on Orville, I live in northwest Indiana where Orville's popcorn originated, and the local version was much better than what we purchase today. It is a shame that the brand was sold to Hunt-Wesson in 1976, later passed through Beatrice Foods, and was acquired by Conagra Brands in 1990. Big corporations ruined a great product!

I wanted popcorn that didn’t come from a non stick container that contains no pfas. It makes great plain popcorn, quickly, nothing burnt. I just find the clear lid tough to clean . Too many ridges. The part that gets hot does clean easily with a paper towel. You can’t add butter or other flavoring until you transfer it to another bowl or you will be cleaning this forever. For those who don’t know, pfas is a forever chemical which can damage numerous parts of your body. Look up pfas on epa.gov.

This machine is great because it’s compact and nobody wants to own a big machine just for popcorn. It pops enough for a few people or one hungry adult. It does not burn the popcorn and it just works like you expect it to. Very durable and quality materials. The lid is not flimsy like others I’ve owned. The only criticism I have is that it doesn’t stir itself so I’ve found it takes more oil than the stirring kind to pop well. I prefer the automatic stirring machines because they make every kernel pop with less oil but this machine will last longer because it has no moving parts to worry about. The yellow looks very nice and appetizing on the shelf while it sits inside of its own lid for compact storage. I got a used model from this seller for $25 and it looks brand new. Also, it’s super easy to clean by hand.

OK. I admit I was heavily influenced by all the rave reviews and the design of this popper, but severely disappointed in its performance. Basically, no popped kernels, instead the kernels burned. Because my return date had expired, I contacted Presto customer service and let them know how disappointed I was. After going thru a series of questions of what I did and how I applied the oil, what type of oil I used, what brand of popcorn, the amount of popcorn, etc., they offered to have their "quality" team take a look at it. They sent me the mailing label, I boxed it up and sent it out. Just received word that their testing showed no defects! They are sending it back to me and I have no idea what to do with it. I tried numerous times to get it to work and I simply give up. I am 75 yrs old and a college grad...this is not rocket science, this is popcorn! 1/3 cup of Orville Redenbacher, 2 T of oil (I use olive oil) and the yellow lid is taken off prior to popping. And the kernels sit on the plate and burn. Customer service was very cooperative, but I still have the problem. Into the donation bin it will go, I guess.

Pops real well, very few kernels left. It broke shortly after receiving. But was still able to use it. Not the senders fault. Just an accident.

The Presto brand has been around for a long time, and this popcorn maker does not disappoint\. It’s incredibly easy to use and just as easy to clean\. I absolutely love it\! Whether you’re making a small batch for yourself or a larger batch for family and friends, it works perfectly every time\. I highly recommend it\!

Las palomitas salen la mitad bien y la otra mitad aguadas.

This machine is awesome. It works very well. Hope it lasts.

Works great, all kernels pop

The size of this popcorn machine is best for one popcorn-hungry person or for 2 regular appetites per batch. It pops well with only a few leftover kernels. Uses 2 tbsp. oil and 1/3 of a cup of popcorn. Add 1/4 tsp. Flavacol to the popper base and you will have extra tasty popcorn. It cleans up nicely and is not messy unless you overdo the oil. Easy to operate. I recommend this nice little unit.

Nice little unit. It stores away easily, taking very little space, yet is big enough for a nice batch of popcorn for up to two people. I just wonder if it's a little expensive for what it is, but if it lasts a few years, I'll be able to overlook that.