I really love this popcorn popper! It has a smaller than normal footprint and does a really great job of popping just about every kernel without scorching or burning the popcorn. I had another well-known brand that did a really great job of popping corn as well, but you had to turn the entire machine over in order to dump the corn out. With this one, the stirring mechanism detaches from the heating base and is much lighter than the other one. Also, the other one lost its non-stick surface after a few months. I see where some reviewers have mentioned that the bowl cracks with this popper but I don't know why because it's made of heavier plastic than most other popular brands. I don't put it in the dishwasher because I do a better job of washing and drying than my dishwasher does. As far as the release clips on the stirring plate breaking, I would think a bit of caution would avoid that problem. As to the safety issue of getting burned, yes that's possible. You're working with a mini stove. I haven't noticed the handles being too hot. Like I said, this is the greatest little popper I've had so far, and I've had several microwave silicone and whirly poppers. Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

I have used a well known hand-cranked stove-top popcorn popper for many years but though it made good popcorn it was becoming increasingly caked with oil that I couldn't clean off. This Cuisinart machine makes popcorn just as well and is very easy to clean.

First, although this device is more efficient or thorough than hot-air poppers, i.e. a majority of kernels are popped usually leaving only several unfinished kernels, this device is messy. Oil seeps out under the bottom of the clear plastic cover/bowl (where it rests on the heating unit) and down the sides of the heating unit/element ("cooking plate/base"). Not a large quantity of oil seeps down the sides of the heating unit or "base", nonetheless, along with the oil on the entire unit, this flaw (what we consider to be a "flaw") still makes cleanup cumbersome, unnecessarily time-consuming and very tedious (for what should be an enjoyable culinary snack). Second, and most importantly, the aforementioned clear cover/bowl rim where it rests on the heating plate developed several vertical stress cracks and warped edges within the first month of use (average 3 times a week, once each day). The stress cracks increased or enlarged becoming longer within 4 months, even after being used LESS frequently. This is yet another design flaw since these cracks seem to be caused by the heating unit/plate/base. We've cleaned the clear cover/bowl only with clean cloths. Further the cover has never been dropped. Considering the messiness of cleaning this device and, most importantly, the apparent poor quality of the plastic used for the clear plastic cover/bowl, this popcorn maker certainly isn't worth anywhere near the price we paid. Lastly, although the clear cover/bowl flaws may be specific to this individual popcorn maker, should consumers still decide to purchase this, just watch for those aforementioned "stress" cracks on the clear cover/bowl. No matter how small the initial vertical cracks may be, they may still enlarge or become longer within a very short time frame.

Great popcorn maker. Easy to use and clean up is much improved.

I love this! Quick, easy.. easy popping, easy cleaning!

It leaks butter when I add it! Not Something I would recommend purchasing!

This is our 2nd purchase of this popcorn maker and we love it. It is very easy to use and clean.

Works well. Follow the instructions. Would like it if there were a bigger size to make larger batches