Stuff We Want: Whirley Pop Stovetop Popcorn Maker, the Crank Your Horror Movie Night Needs
"Horror movies" searches are climbing on Google Trends. Halloween is Saturday, and microwave popcorn is not invited.
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Searches for horror movies are climbing on Google Trends this morning. Makes sense. Halloween lands on Saturday, and the whole country is building a watchlist it will spend 40 minutes scrolling instead of watching.
Pick the movie later. Fix the snack now. Because nothing kills the mood like the microwave beeping during the quiet part, followed by a bag that's half burnt and half unpopped kernels.
Meet the Original Whirley Pop from Wabash Valley Farms. It's an aluminum stovetop pot with a hand crank on the lid. You turn the crank, the stirring arm keeps the kernels moving, and the listing says you get up to 6 quarts of popcorn in about 3 minutes.
That stirring is the whole trick. The listing says the patented stirring system keeps kernels evenly heated, so you get fewer burnt pieces and fewer sad unpopped ones at the bottom of the bowl. It also works with mushroom popcorn, the big round kind, if you want the theater-snack look.
It's built for the full movie theater move: oil, kernels, butter, salt, or a cheddar seasoning if you're that person. The listing pitches it for kettle-style popcorn too.
And yes, cranking it is fun. Hand it to whoever is still arguing about which movie to pick. Problem solved, twice.
It comes with a 25-year warranty. That's a lot of Halloweens.
Who it's for
- Horror movie night hosts who want the snack to be part of the show.
- Microwave popcorn quitters tired of burnt bags.
- Gift shoppers who want a kitchen gift people actually use.
Who should skip it
- No stovetop. It's a stovetop popper.
- You hate dishes. It's one more pot to wash.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Up to 6 quarts in about 3 minutes.
- Hand-crank stirring for even popping.
- Works with mushroom popcorn and kettle-style recipes.
- 25-year warranty.
Cons
- Stovetop only, so no popping on the couch.
- Someone has to crank. (Okay, that's also a pro.)
Pros and cons are our read of the features on the listing, not a hands-on test.
How it compares
Vs. the Nostalgia electric s'mores maker: the s'mores maker is dessert for movie night. The Whirley Pop is the main event.
Vs. the Nostalgia hot dog toaster: another retro kitchen toy, but popcorn feeds the whole couch.
For the rest of the horror movie night: queue up Evil Dead Burn on Blu-ray, hang the haunted changing portraits, and put the Help Me bloody shower curtain up for guests who wander off mid-movie. More spooky stuff is in our Halloween deals.
FAQ
How much popcorn does the Whirley Pop make?
Up to 6 quarts per batch.
How long does it take?
About 3 minutes on the stovetop.
Can it make mushroom popcorn?
Yes. The listing says it pops regular or mushroom popcorn kernels.
What's it made of?
An aluminum pot with nylon gears in the crank.
The verdict
The verdict: hand-picked for horror movie week. The movie is scary. The popcorn shouldn't be.
#ad. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Hand-picked by The Deez List.
