101 out of 101 people found this review helpful.
I Kettle Corn
Date of Review: Jan 5, 2002
The Bottom Line: Wanna make Kettle Corn? This is all you need. (Well, you need to find some corn too.)
I am creature of obsessive habit - there are certain things I have to do (Epinions) or drink (Dry Blackthorn Cider). Some obsessions are silly (Midori Sours) and downright embarrassing (Jerry Springer.) Most of them come and go but when I get into something, I really get into it. My latest obsession is delightfully simple - Kettle Corn, the hottest thing since my funnel cake habit.
Kettle Corn is amazingly simple to make - there are only three key ingredients: popcorn, oil, and sugar - Kettle Corn is cooked by stirring the ingredients in a giant kettle until popped. Since I'm not about to buy an industrial-sized kettle, I researched and discovered that the West Bend 6 Quart Stir Crazy 82306x is the best alternative for making Kettle Corn, and is actually a decent popcorn popper.
The Popper's Propellers
This dome-like electrical popper is the key to home Kettle Corn because it has the slow-moving propeller-like stirrers that spin around, mixing the corn, oil and sugar. Air-powered poppers and regular stove-top popping ain't got nuthin' on the Stir Crazy because you need the constant stirring action so the sugar doesn't burn and each kernel is coated properly. The stirrers ensure even heat distribution which yeilds virtually no unpopped kernels.
Proper Popper Use
The West Bend Stir Crazy Popper is pretty straightforward and using it is like other poppers:
1. Dump your corn kernels and oil on the base unit (the machine comes with handy directions and recipies so you know exactly how much of each ingredient is required.)
2. Plug in the detachable cord to activate.
3. Become mesmerized by the slow-spinning propeller action and corn kernels exploding. (It takes a few minutes to get them started, but when they do - whoa Nelly!)
4. When done, grasp on to the handles at the sides and turn the whole unit over, remove the base and the clear dome doubles as a bowl. Imagine that!
5. Enjoy.
The Power of Propellers
The stirring action is great for regular popcorn as well because virtually all kernels pop - it replaces that shaking jiggling action you have to do when cooking popcorn on the stove in a pot or that aluminum Jiffy-Pop thing.
Also, popcorn popped in this popper is fluffier and bigger than microwave popcorn. I'm not sure if it's the slow propeller action or the oil, but I've tried microwave Kettle Corn and the difference is quite noticeable.
Other Stuff
-It only comes in black and "smoke" - the Westbend word for clear gray. The larger eight quart version is rectangular and probably better for families although the six quart dome is more than plenty for two hungry Kettle Corn maniacs.
-For some reason, West Bend has halted manufacturing the Stir Crazy, but you can still find it at various online stores. (Look at the top of this Epinion, there should be links to amazon or ebay for this item.)
-Clean up is decent with this machine - the bowl/dome washes like a regular bowl and the base is non-stick so it wipes clean easily with a damp sponge, but since you can't immerse it it water, expect a little oil build-up.
-There is no on/off switch or automatic sensing for this machine - if you are making popcorn, don't go check the mail or talk on the phone because you will be guaranteed to scorch your Kettle Corn.
-This popper comes with a butter well - which I haven't used because it scares me. While the popcorn's popping, you're supposed to put some butter in the well on top of the dome and you end up with melted butter. I think you'll end up with a melted mess...but it's nice to know that butter melting is available.
And Now, the Kettle Corn
Here's all you need for Kettle Corn goodness:
3 T canola oil
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 - 3/4 cup popcorn
A shake or two of salt is mandatory after the popcorn has popped.
