Not So Pop-Tacular (Cosmopolitan Popcorn Maker)

Member Name: brevicoryne

Product:	Cosmopolitan Popcorn Maker
Date:	20/05/09 (66 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Looks good

Disadvantages: Makes bad popcorn

The Cosmopolitan Let's Party... Popcorn maker is part of a whole range of products made by Cosmopolitan - others include a doughnut maker, a smoothie maker and a drinks fountain. The popcorn maker is covered in little purpley pink flowers, making it an attractive addition to anyone's kitchen. It uses hot air to heat the kernels up and pop them, and in the lid is a little cap for measuring out the correct quantity of popcorn.

For years I've been making my own popcorn in a pan with oil, and more often than not burning the pan. So I was really excited to receive this as a gift recently. However, after trying it out I wasn't so impressed with the machine as I'd hoped.

Firstly, I don't think the popcorn tastes as good as it does when made from the pan! I find it tastes a bit like hot appliance, if that makes any kind of sense. This can be rescued a bit by pouring lots of butter and salt over the finished product but I have to say I'd prefer just using a little bit of oil in the first place over this. I've read on other reviews that on other popcorn makers you can melt the butter in the little measuring cap - not so for this one.

Also, you can only pop 30g of kernels at once, which for a seasoned addict like me just isn't enough. You can only do two batches in a row and then you have to shut the machine down and let it cool off for a while. Not exaclty conducive to a party, I'd say.

Another reason I was excited to try this product was that I thought perhaps it would be able to pop all the kernels you put in it, unlike popping corn in a pan when there's always a few left behind. Again, unfortunately not true. Quite a few are ejected along with the popped corn by mistake, ending up in various nooks and crannies, and there are still some left behind at the end (when you have to turn it off so it doesn't get too hot).

You will need your wits about you as the corn comes out at quite a crazy rate. Despite the downwards pointing funnel, a lot ended up all over my kitchen. Slightly hazardous. It also makes quite a lot of noise while its on, again not conducive to a party atmosphere.

Good points: it doesn't use oil to pop the popcorn, therefore much better for you health-wise if you don't add any other toppings. It has a high novelty factor and does look very good sat in your kitchen.

However, I think for all its downsides I'd rather stick to popping corn the old fashioned way, and save the space in my rather small kitchen for a more useful appliance.

Summary: If you have a big kitchen and like flowery pink things and funny tasting popcorn then go for it!