Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Update: I gritted my teeth and purchased the aluminum-with-metal-gears model from Wabash, as much as I hate to reward them for selling me a crappy product. Nobody else had that combo cheaper. The lid stayed on this time, it was very easy to flip, and I’m much happier in general. I’ll use this along with an induction converter plate if I ever need one. Having the aluminum model side by side confirmed that the clips on the steel lid aren’t deformed, and simply can’t hold the pan’s weight as designed. You can test what I’m talking about on any model (aluminum included) by holding the kettle down at the rim outside the lid—watch your fingers though—while twisting the wooden handle in the direction you’d flip the pan. Mine pops off without too much force as the rim rotates out of the clip—less force than the clips try to support when you quickly flip a full steel kettle and empty out corn. The aluminum model will also pop off with similar force but it’s so much lighter it doesn’t reach that failure point. The steel model is a dangerous mis-design in this regard. Original: I “upgraded” to the all-stainless steel model after my original aluminum one was damaged. I’ve used it twice now. The first time, the top popped off the pot and dumped popcorn (and a hot pan) all over the floor when I tried to flip it. The second time, I checked it as closely as I could to make the lid secure, double, triple checked, pulled upwards on the handle, etc. Flipped it to test and bam, lid popped off and pan hits the floor. At least it was cold and empty this time. This thing is freaking heavy, and the tension method they use to secure it just isn’t up to the task. I’ve got it mostly secure after bending the clips on the lid a little more but truth is I don’t trust the apparatus anymore. I was genuinely scared trying to shake popcorn out of it today after it popped up. Now that I’ve bounced the pot off the floor a couple of times I’m not comfortable returning it, but I’m not comfortable using it either. And just to add insult to injury, it doesn’t make a better pot of popcorn, it makes a worse one. It pops more slowly, and tends to burn in the bottom when the disc retains heat. It also takes longer to flip, and is super-error prone to grip especially with sweaty or oily hands. A side handle would fix all of the problems, but the current method of flipping a heavy stainless pot with a thick induction disc at the very bottom by twisting a slippery wooden handle at the very top—and then supporting the entire thing off-vertical by a *clip-on lid* that’s prone to scooting sideways on the rim and detaching? Yeah, that’s both a mouthful and a borderline negligent design. What works for aluminum doesn’t work for steel, Wabash. I’m extremely sorry I bought this. I’m going to look for a model with more secure fastenings on the top and go back to a lighter aluminum pot before I burn the crap out of myself or dent my kitchen further.