Whirly Pop Sweet & Easy Snack Machine

4 comments

1. 

   SnooZQ on February 3, 2010 at 4:22 am

   I had high expectations for this popper based on the company’s reputation, reviews I’d read on various websites, and also based on pretty high sticker price, IMO.

   My initial impression of this popper was “how cute.” The crank handle is a popped corn design. There are little embossed popped corn motifs that ring the bottom half of the pot. Quite unique. The split-lid design allows for easy access, yet removes so that the cute pot base can be used to serve the finished popcorn.

   I was less impressed with the quality of the stainless steel. It’s pretty lightweight compared to say my old Revere Ware stainless pots, and it’s not a particularly finely-milled type of stainless steel, IMO.

   Nevertheless, I looked forward to using my new Sweet & Easy. Unfortunately my first attempt to pop corn resulted in very burnt corn & a badly scorched pot, which was difficult to clean due in part due to all the fine circular striations on the bottom of the pot.

   Second attempt: After re-seasoning the pot, I tried another batch with lower heat (below med. on my ceramic top stove) & used the provided sample popping packet (bigger kernels of corn, coconut oil blend), thinking perhaps my oil was to blame. Some improvement this time: only a few burnt kernels, but pot again badly scorched.

   On further examination I concluded that the horizontal stir rods/wires on my pot did not even make contact with the corn. I contacted the company by phone — after waiting 3 days for a reply to my email — and was told to manually bend the stir wires & also to check the vertical rod.

   I am not particularly strong & also did not want to overstress the stir wires, so it took a good 4 tries at bending to get the stir wires to actually make contact & sweep the corn. But even then, things were not perfect. The vertical rod is off kilter. It is thick aluminum, >1/4″ diameter & welded/soldered to the top of the pot. I’ve had little success thus far in moving it to true vertical.

   Third try: Used coconut oil & < med. heat. Result: only center third of pot scorched. Corn was OK. This was an improvement, but it is a pain to continuously have to clean & re-season the pot.

   I had purchased the Sweet & Easy in hopes of making my own kettle corn. But until I’m able to produce regular popcorn without a scorched pot, I’m not going to try the kettle corn.

   One other small frustration I’ve had is that part of the “fluffy corn” crank handle is a screwed-on plastic piece that keeps detaching itself during cranking.

   At this point (2.5 weeks into ownership), I’m a little disappointed with the performance of the sweet & easy. Although this is a cute unit, I’d gladly trade a few of the design details for heavier bottom to the pot, perhaps an exterior aluminum plate.

   Frankly, if I’m not able to resolve the scorching problem I will likely return the Sweet & Easy for a refund.

2. 

   J. DeMolay on February 3, 2010 at 5:01 am

   I absolutely love the popcorn that this style of machine makes, but why are they built so cheaply??? I guess if they wear out “they” can sell us consumers more, got to love our capitalistic society. Well. I bought this machine because it seems more rugged than its counterparts, of which I have owned and wore out several. I haven’t received it yet but I will let all-you-all know!!!! To be continued…

   FYI…Found it cheaper here[...]

   Recipe/Proportions: 1/4 cup oil (I use olive oil), 3/4 cup corn (yellow, tastes better), 1 teaspoon salt, butter (optional)
   
   (1 Part oil to 3 Parts Corn)

3. 

   Nevel on February 3, 2010 at 5:43 am

   I absolutely love this thing. I have actually had to take a break from popcorn, because for a while after we got this popper we were eating it every day! It is easy to use, never burns the popcorn, requires very little oil, and vents the steam that makes popcorn such a pain to make on stove top.

   I’m pretty pleased with this purchase and recommend it to everyone.

4. 

   bobbler on February 3, 2010 at 7:03 am

   Quality workmanship and parts (lets see how it pops)..

   I think this model is head and shoulders better than anything else in a stove top popper..

   The lid has a little clip that you “need” to press when putting the lid on (or off).. I was having a hard time until I found the catch. I dont recall directions anywhere for the lid operation.. Or the flap: push down the center of the handle, and the lid will lock up for pouring.. I was able to easily bend the stiring wire (only a little) to go closer to the bottom of the pot..

   PRO:
   
   The stiring mechanism looks fool proof, and they back it with a 25 year warranty (no plastic, or soft metak gears that the other models use). I would be afriad of the metal from the gears getting in the food with the othwer models.. The more durable stiring mechanism will hold up for use with iother recipes like nuts (that normally strains the others). The lid is hard anodized aluminum (very durable).. I dont worry much about aluminum being used for a lid (for health concerns).. The base is stainless steel, which I prefer over aluminum.. The whole thing, from the shape of the handle to the designs pressed into the stainless steel base is artful.. Even the knob on the handle is in the shape of a popped corn kernal..

   CON:
   
   This is a nit pick list (nothing major, only tweaks)..
   
   I would rather not have the artful designs in the SS base, because it might make it a little harder to clean.. The directions said not to pop without oil, which was my plan (I dont know why they are saying no)..

   CON: ?
   
   I was really hoping for a thick bottom for $50.. I was planning to roast coffee, and roast nuts.. I am not sure how much difference it will make, if any (coffee tends to scortch in stove top poppers anyway)..

   WAIT FOR MY FOLLOWUP:
   
   Lets see how comfortable it will be to operate the stiring mechanism on top (instead of the side).. How it pops without oil, etc..

   bobbler