Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

After 6 years of Continuous Use (three teenagers and all of their friends) we finally decided to replace our Whirly Pop. It makes great popcorn. It does not fall apart if you use it gently and properly. Sure it is "thin" and "flimsy"... you are making Popcorn, not stew! You want thin metal to heat gently and quickly (and to cool quickly without burning). It is gentle on the popcorn. No bruising or shredding like some other devices. Use the best oil and the best popcorn. It will do well with the cheap stuff, but the fresher the popcorn and oil, the better the taste. And don't bother washing the thing. My teenagers never did. Just wipe it out. Maybe the caked on oil helps hold it together, for those reviewers who said the gear falls off. Use the proper heat! Like Emeril Lagasse says, "your stove has knobs, use them". If you use high heat, of course you'll ruin a popcorn popper... or any decent pan. We just ordered another. Our kids have moved off to college. Two have their own Whirly Pop now and my wife and I decided ours was too "used". 6 years. Lots of use. It still works. So let's see, that's about $3.33 per year. Less than a penny a day. Other than the years of coated oil discoloration, I'd still use it, but my wife won't. Don't know if I will try and clean it up and put it in a garage sale, because there are so many memories tied up in the old one. Betcha someone would give me a buck for it. Maybe we will just bang on it with a spoon every New Year's day. This is a great item at a great price and used correctly will provide you with many years of great popcorn and perhaps a few memories.