We acquired our popcorn maker, when one of the children wanted one for a xmas present (strange family I have).
Anyway they are relatively cheap, and if it keeps them happy what the heck.
Armed with bag of popping corn off we went, pour a handful in the cup, switch on and wait, couple of minutes of whirring hot air, then pop, it was working, then pop, more pop, non stop pop, grab a bigger bowl its like an avalanche, grab another bowl then that was it, more popcorn than you know what to do with, soon got eaten. Hot popcorn has a taste of it's own, can be a bit bland, but we add salt and maybe fine grated parmesan cheese to ours. Don't expect it to turn out like butterkist though.
We have had ours a few years now and it still gets used, great if you have a house full of kiddies, a cheap healthy treat for them and it's loads of fun for them to watch.
I would not let younger ones use it on their own as some of the parts can get quite hot.
No cleaning required as such, just a wipe over with a damp cloth.
Very cheap to run.