Don't spend $200 on a flashy popper. This classic stovetop popcorn maker has been in the biz for nearly 50 years.
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In all my years of snacking, nothing has ever nudged popcorn out of my number one spot. Even just the aroma of popcorn takes me back to all my favorite places, like the movie theater, county fairs and sports stadiums. In the pantheon of snacks, this crunchy, buttery beacon of fun is a tried-and-true classic that can be both sweet and savory—and it’s never going away. Mark my words that humankind will be crunching along happily on popcorn as long as we’re around. It’s just that good.
However, as a self-described expert in all things delicious, I feel justified in claiming that not all popcorn is created equal. Sure, I’ve been known to microwave a bag here or there in my darkest moments. But true popcorn—as in, the kind of popcorn that’s equal parts crunchy and airy—comes from one of two places: a commercial popcorn maker or the stovetop. As a normal human with a normal amount of space in my home, a stovetop popcorn maker is my weapon of choice.
I don’t just use any popcorn maker, though. I’m a Whirley Pop gal through and through.
Original Whirley Pop
Enjoy movie-style popcorn at home with this easy-to-use stovetop popcorn maker.
Making My Case for the Whirley Pop
There’s a pervasive myth that stovetop popcorn makers are more difficult to use than a microwave and a humble bag of Orville Redenbacher’s. I disagree. Not only is the Whirley Pop just as simple, I’d go so far as to say it’s even easier. It’s also ten times more delicious. The Whirley Pop arrives in two main parts: an aluminum pot and a lightweight lid. Attached to the lid is a rotating crank/handle, two interlocking nylon gears, several steam vents and a hinged flap for pouring.
The steam vents ensure that all moisture escapes quickly, resulting in crispier kernels. The lid offers three points of attachment to the pot, keeping everything securely in place as you pop. But the true magic is in the long pole running down the center of the lid, which boasts two spindly arms at the end. These arms turn as the crank rotates, keeping the kernels constantly moving so the early poppers don’t burn.
The aluminum construction allows the pot to heat up quickly—much faster than a traditional clad pot. While this isn’t ideal for general cooking since it provides more of an uneven heat, it is ideal for popping, since it works fast and thus minimizes burning. Plus, the arms keep everything moving, so hot spots are less of a concern. Each Whirley also comes with a helpful guide that walks you through seasoning the pot prior to your first pop. Once washed and seasoned (which takes 20 seconds, by the way), it’s ready to use.
To use the Whirley, just dump in 1-2 tbsp. of your choice of oil, add 1/2 cup of corn kernels, turn the stove to medium or medium-high, and slowly turn the crank until the popping slows or the crank meets resistance. Thirty seconds. That’s all it takes for delicious, fluffy, true-to-the-movies popcorn. Not even microwave popcorn is that quick! Plus, it’s delightfully fun to turn the crank and listen as the popping starts, speeds up, slows and stops. For me, the ritual is almost meditative.
Why There’s No “Butter” Stovetop Popcorn Maker
First things first: I think we can all agree that movie theater and stadium popcorn is on its own, delicious level. For those who have never stopped to consider “why,” it’s pretty easily condensed into a few bullet points:
- Good-quality butter and oil (I use this kit)
- Good-quality kernels (Like these, which are my favorite)
- The right popping method (i.e. stovetop popping—none of that microwave nonsense)
That’s it. You can even use a regular lidded pot if you haven’t invested in any equipment. But if you’re a true popcorn fanatic like me, the Whirley Pop is a worthy investment. You don’t have to worry about anything burning. There’s no need to continually shake a heavy pot. Just crank the handle—that’s it. You can even use the crank to mix in your choice of toppings or seasonings once the pot is off the heat.
Want Something More Durable? Upgrade to the Stainless Steel Version
We’ve all seen the trendy stovetop popcorn makers making their rounds on social media. And I’ll admit, the absolutely gorgeous Popsmith popper has caught my eye on more than one occasion—especially since it’s dishwasher-safe. Maybe someday I’ll get one as a gift and put it head-to-head with my Whirley Pop, and maybe I’ll even come away with a new favorite stovetop popcorn maker. But so long as there’s a $150 difference between my beloved Whirley and the Popsmith, I just don’t see a reason to switch things up.
For me, the aluminum Whirley Pop is my holy grail. But for folks looking for something slightly more durable, Whirley Pop also makes a stainless steel version with better longevity. It’s a good compromise for those concerned about the original Whirley’s thinner build and nylon gears, and it isn’t all that much more expensive, either.
I’ll be real, though—I still prefer the aluminum version for a few very specific reasons:
- Lightweight: The classic aluminum Whirley Pop weighs around 2.5 pounds, whereas the stainless steel version weighs around 3.5 pounds. While it’s not a huge difference, being able to seamlessly maneuver the stovetop popcorn maker is one of my favorite parts of owning a Whirley Pop compared with, say, a lidded pot.
- Inexpensive: While the stainless steel version isn’t too much more (we’re talking around $70 vs. $50), I personally don’t like spending more money when I don’t have to. Even so, $70 is much cheaper than the trendy $200-plus options I’ve seen.
- Faster: Say what you will about durability, but the thinner aluminum walls of the original Whirley help keep the overall popping time under 30 seconds.
- 25-Year Warranty: Yes, the stainless steel gears are more appealing and will likely last longer than the nylon gears of the original Whirley Pop. However, registering your Whirley Pop after purchase guarantees 25 years of warranty coverage for all moving parts—including the gears. While there’s only a 90-day warranty on the pot and wooden parts, those are famously inexpensive to replace and wear out more slowly than the moving parts.
Where to Buy
Original Whirley Pop
Butter up your favorite popcorn person with the Whirley Pop stovetop popcorn maker—it makes a great gift!
Ready to enhance your movie marathons, sports parties and board game nights? Snag the original aluminum Whirley Pop stovetop popcorn maker for around $50 and enjoy fluffy, fast, ballpark-style popcorn for years to come. Trust me—you haven’t properly lived until you’ve demolished a handful of Whirley-made popcorn fresh from the stove. For folks looking to enhance their snacking stations, I also suggest investing in a Ninja Thirsti. Nothing goes better with popcorn than dirty sodas!
