Already Make Popcorn on the Stove? Why Whirley Pop Owners Are Retiring Theirs for The Popper
Dozens of Popsmith reviews come from people who were already popping on the stove before they bought one. Here's why they switched, what they noticed, and the honest answer to "is it really worth $199?"
You gave up microwave bags years ago. There's a stovetop popper in your cupboard, a jar of kernels next to it, and a heat setting you could find in the dark.
So a $199 popcorn popper probably sounds a bit much. One Amazon reviewer said it plainly: "It seems to me that paying over $200 for something to pop popcorn in is kind of crazy, but I just did it."
Here's the thing. Read through Popsmith's reviews and dozens of them come from exactly you: people with a Whirley Pop, a Stir Crazy, a 40-year-old air popper or a beat-up pot, who finally retired it.
"I have been popping corn for more than 70 years and Popsmith is the best I have ever made and I have tried various types of corn and different oils." That's a verified Popsmith buyer, not a first-timer.
So why would anyone retire a popper that works?
Because "works" usually comes with a list. Switchers describe the same few things over and over.
The gears and the little parts. "I have broken multiple Whirley pop units because once the popcorn starts popping, all it takes is one kernel getting wedged under the delicate little metal arms to break the plastic piece up top."
The burnt batches. "After constantly burning my popcorn in the cheap aluminum whirly pops, I decided to give this a try and haven't looked back since!"
The cleanup. "I had been using an old whirlypop for years. So much work to use and really hard to get clean."
None of that is a dealbreaker on its own. Most of them put up with it for years. Then the screw fell out, or the gear stripped one too many times, and they went looking.
What's actually different about The Popper?
It's built like the cookware you already leave out, not like a gadget. Multi-clad stainless steel, with a layered metal bottom for even heat.
The stirring arm is Popsmith's own patented design. It keeps the kernels moving so they don't sit on the hot bottom, which is where burnt batches come from.
Every part goes in the dishwasher, spinner included. It works on gas, electric and induction. And it holds 6 quarts, about 24 cups of popcorn a batch.
Use your own kernels and oil. Popsmith sells kits, but you don't need them. Some switchers never touch them.
What switchers noticed first
In their own words, from Popsmith and Amazon reviews by people who named the popper they replaced.
- Cleanup."Cleaning the popper is SO MUCH easier than the old popper and is a breeze."
- No burnt batches."I have tried other poppers in the past, but they either broken, were flimsy, burned the popcorn or left too many kernels. With Popsmith I have never had a burned batch."
- Fewer old maids."We have used a Whirly popper for many years, but there is no equal to the Popsmith popper. Pops fast with little effort with very little unpopped kernels."
- It feels solid."This device is SOLID. Like, I could probably knock out a burglar with this and still make popcorn with it."
- Induction finally works."I tried the Whirly Pop stainless steel pan, but it did not work on my induction stove... This high end pan worked perfectly on my induction stove."
Three parts. That's the whole thing.
No wire crank, no tiny screw, nothing to hand-wash.
A layered metal bottom spreads the heat evenly, so the corn pops instead of scorching.
Turn the handle on top and it sweeps the bottom. Dishwasher safe, like everything else.
It lives on the stove, not in the cupboard. Pick the one that matches your kitchen.
Your old popper vs. The Popper
Left column: what switchers wrote about the poppers they replaced. Right column: The Popper, from Popsmith's own specs.
Quotes are verbatim from verified Popsmith and Amazon reviews. Whirley Pop is a trademark of its owner; Popsmith is not affiliated.
Three honest doubts, three straight answers
1"$199 for a popcorn popper? Really?"
Yes, it costs more than an aluminum popper. Switchers hesitated too. "My husband has been watching this popcorn popper for a long time, but because of the price we hesitated to buy it. DO NOT HESITATE."
And you're not guessing: Popsmith gives you 30 days for returns and exchanges. You'll know after the first few bowls.
2"Isn't it heavy?"
It is, and switchers say so. "It's very heavy compared to the whirly pop." That's the stainless steel doing its job.
There's a second handle on the far side for pouring. "It is however, heavy when trying to dump the popped corn with one hand. Luckily there is a handle on the other side too."
3"Mine works fine."
Then keep using it. Plenty of switchers did, right up until it didn't.
"We love the Whirley Pop and have used that brand for many years but after a while it needs to be replaced." When that day comes, this is the one people trade up to.
Your first batch
If you can run a stovetop popper, you can run this one. About five minutes, start to bowl.
- 1PourKernels and oil in
Your own, or one of Popsmith's pre-measured kits if you want to try theirs.
- 2HeatSet it to medium
Medium heat, not high. The stirring arm keeps the kernels moving so they don't sit on the hot bottom.
- 3TurnTurn the handle
In about five minutes you have a full bowl. Use the second handle to pour.
- 4CleanDishwasher
Lid, body and stirring arm all go in. That's it.
A couple of switchers say their first batches took a little heat dialing in, like any new pan.
From people who already had a popper
Replaced a Whirley PopVerified buyer“I had the whirly pop for years. But it was ready to replace and bought the popsmith instead. It's very heavy compared to the whirly pop. You have to wash the whirly pop by hand, and have to watch the whirly pop because the popcorn can burn easily. The popsmith makes perfect popcorn every time.”
Replaced a 40-year-old air popperVerified buyer“Love popcorn and I've been using a 40 year-old air popper which has been great. But used the Popsmith and it's way better. I bought one for each of us in our family (3).”
Retired a pot on the stoveVerified buyer“My tried and true method is a good old-fashioned pot on the stove. However, it has scratched up my stove's burners (pricey to replace!)... Yes, this may be pricey, but the quality is amazing.”
Replaced an electric popperVerified buyer“I expected it to be "too good to be true" and hung on to my old electric popper "just in case." But today the old one is gone, and my bright, butter yellow popper is the all-time winner.”
Verbatim from verified reviews on popsmith.com, read October 29, 2026. The Popper is rated 4.77 out of 5 from 499 reviews on popsmith.com.
Ready to retire the old one?
The Popper
Multi-clad stainless steel stovetop popper, 6 quarts
- Durable multi-clad steel
- Dishwasher safe
- Patented stirring mechanism
- Free shipping
30-day returns & exchanges
Questions switchers ask
From Popsmith's FAQ and product pages.
Can I use my own kernels and oil?
Yes. Use your own kernels and oil, or Popsmith's all-inclusive popcorn making kits. Either way you'll have popcorn in less than five minutes.
Is the Popper dishwasher safe?
It is! You can put all of its parts inside the dishwasher, including the spinner.
Can I use the Popper on an induction stove?
Yes, the Popsmith is compatible with all stovetops and cooktops, including Induction stoves.
How much popcorn does it make?
The Popper holds 6 quarts and makes about 24 cups of popcorn.
Will it burn the popcorn?
Use medium heat and turn the handle. The stirring arm keeps the kernels moving so they do not sit on the hot bottom.
What is the Popper's warranty?
Popsmith offers a one-year warranty on the Popsmith Popper, plus 30-day returns and exchanges.
Keep the kernels. Upgrade the pan.
Multi-clad stainless steel, a patented stirring arm, and dishwasher cleanup. In 9 colors.
Add The Popper to cart →Rated 4.77 from 499 reviews · Free shipping · 30-day returns & exchanges