[killer_carlson]

I totally hear your pain. My wife and I are going through this problem now. Without exception any hot air popper we have purchased at the store has been absolute crap and we have now donated 3 seperate name brands because they just don't work.

I don't like the kettle corn thing, which we purchased a rather expensive version of. The popcorn just tastes too greasy. The whirlybird thing is also not too popular at our place as it is really tough to clean.

My thoughts are that the only way to get a good hot air popper is to go the garage sale route and find someone (like my parents) who had a hot air popper sitting in their cupboard for 20 years without using it so they sell it for $2.00 at a garage sale. I know the thing worked and I'm kicking myself for not buying it. That's my recommendation.

Alternatively, if you do find a good name brand out there, let us know and we'll go get it.

(I may try the Kenmore that Firefly recommends).