Good 'ol popper

I've had one of these for more than 10 years and am ordering a new one because the yellow plastic air guide has just disintegrated from age and heating. The motor and element are still working.



Yes: if you leave it alone it does throw out a few blistering-hot kernels. But if during the first 30 seconds of running you hold it and tilt it back about 30 degrees it doesn't. As soon as any kernels have popped you can set it down again.



Lowest-calorie popcorn? At the supermarket buy an aerosol can of cooking oil spray. Face the popcorn bowl spray in right hand and salt-shaker in left. As the popcorn tumbles out alternately spritz with cooking oil and sprinkle with salt. The oil spray has basically zero calories (a teaspoon per batch?) but it makes the salt stick to the popcorn!



Fun with your popper impress the kids. There are always a few kernels that don't pop left in the bottom. And every time one or 2 will go off a couple seconds AFTER you pull the plug. So: pull out the plug slowly raise your index finger and point magically at the popper. Bang! Blow smoke off imaginery gun barrel.More detail ...