What should you consider when buying a popcorn machine?

There are several ways of popping popcorn. It can be done using a microwave, an air-popper, a stove or a kettle. The traditional popcorn makers are the kettle ones. They are usually found in movie theaters or carnivals. The flavor remains intact in the kettle. The kettle popcorn machine works by means of cooking oil and a built-in heating element. But, in order to be the proud owner of a good popcorn machine, you need to consider several factors:

• Countertop or stand-alone: Check whether the popcorn machine is a counter-top or stand-alone model: This will give you an idea about the amount of space that it occupies. Countertop units are usually smaller than the stand-alone ones. A stand-alone unit is in the form of a cart, rather than just sitting on your kitchen counter.

• Kettle size: There are different types of popcorn machines available. Each one has a different size or capacity. The size is usually measured in ounces. There are kettles available in the range of 4 oz to over 31 oz. A 6 oz kettle is adequate for a big family, while a smaller family can make do with a kettle of 4 oz size capacity.

• Wattage: You should check the wattage of the kettle to get an idea about its power consumption. A machine with greater wattage will consume more electricity. Check the popcorn machine reviews on-line to know the exact wattage of the product.