Presto 04820 PopLite Popcorn Maker

The above title sounds somewhat like a Russian Trapeze Artist, doesn't it.

I'm using it because most of this review will compare the Presto Popper with the Salton PC2 (see my previous review).

First, the nuts and bolts on the Presto.

It's a basic two-piece hot air popper. Containing a base unit, that contains the motor, and a plastic piece that sits on top of the base. The top plastic piece also contains a removable "measure"/butter melting tray.

To make popcorn, you remove the top, place the popcorn in the base unit, replace the top (and the measuring cup), put a large bowl under the spout, and plug it in. Within a couple of minutes you'll have a bowl of hot air popped corn.

My major complaint with this unit is that there is no "on/off" switch. The motor runs when the unit is plugged in. However, I think this makes the unit unsafe for small children. (More details about this machine below).

Cleaning is easy, the top piece can be washed in warm water. The interior can be wiped down with a paper towel or a rag. Very easy.

Now, on to the Pop-off.

Previously, I had obtained a Salton PC-2, which I have reviewed on this site. I generally keep the Salton in my office, and was looking for a second unit for my home. Not finding the Salton locally, I got one of the Presto Machines.

The other night, I took the Salton home, and made one bowl of corn with each machine. The results follow.

First -- The machines themselves.

Both are similar two-piece designs. The Presto is taller and takes up more space. The Salton more compact. The Presto, has one extra feature with the butter melting/measuring dish.

However, due to what I consider a design flaw, if you try just removing the measuring cup, and pouring popcorn through the hole (where the measuring cup sits), popcorn will spill out the front of the machine -- meaning that it is necessary to remove the top of the unit each time you make popcorn.

I also think that the measuring cup presents a potential downside, since it's an extra part, and if you lose it, the entire Presto Machine is useless. If you want to melt butter (and don't have a microwave or an oven handy) I suppose this feature would be a positive. However, I personally prefer using "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" Spray (zero calories, great taste), so the butter dish is a negative to me.

The Presto Machine's top part is also "flimsier" than the Salton. Essentially, the Salton is "Hard Plastic" and easily fits on top of the machine. The Presto uses a softer plastic, and you have to stretch the base a bit to fit it into the machine. This is a minor distinction, but should be noted.

Clean up of the machines, is similar for both.

Now on to the important stuff.

Last night I made a batch of popcorn with each machine, I used Orville Reddenbacker Original Gourmet Popping Corn.

Popping time -- About 2-3 minutes for each machine using comparable amounts of popcorn. Presto is slightly faster.

Unpopped Kernals -- The Presto is the clear winner here. One problem with the Salton is that because of its compact design, a small amount (maybe 10%) of the of the Kernals blow out of the chute unpopped. (It's possible that using a corn especially made for hot air poppers would solve this -- however, the extra cost for the corn is greater than the wastage in unpopped kernals.) This is less of a problem with the Presto.

Size of Bowl Needed -- Salton is the winner. This is the flip side of the larger machine. Because the Salton is more compact, it's chute is closer to the bowl, and the popped corn doesn't blow as far. With the Presto, I found some corn blowing outside the bowl, even using the biggest salad bowl I have in my house. So, more clean-up is required.

Taste -- The most important feature.

First of all, Hot air popped corn, does not have the same taste as corn popped in oil (either microwave or otherwise). This is true of all poppers. Most people find it somewhat dry and tasteless. However, it has many fewer calories, and is much healthier -- life is full of tradeoffs. As I stated previously, I use the butter-substitute spray, and often some other topping (like Tabasco Sauce)which gives it a great taste.

This being said. I found the tastes comparable, but give a slight edge to the Salton machine. To be completely fair, my 14 year old daughter couldn't taste the difference.

Overall Conclusion

I give a slight edge to the Salton Machine. However, if I were in a store that had the Presto, but not the Salton, I'd buy the Presto to avoid the extra shopping time.