Popcorn makers are pretty simple to operate and buying one is not too difficult. When purchasing a popcorn maker, think about how many people you will be popping popcorn for on average.

Popcorn maker’s buying tips:

Kettle Size: The popcorn machine kettle size is what will determine your decision.

A 6 oz popcorn machine will yield 6 one-ounce popcorn servings each time, a little over what you get from a microwaveable bag of popped popcorn.
The smallest popcorn machines are 4 oz kettles and the largest offer over 20 ounces.

For personal use in your home or even light industrial use, experts say go with the 4 to 6 oz models so that you guarantee you get enough with each popping.

The larger volume 12 and 16 ounce popcorn machines are meant for commercial areas like zoos, amusement parks, stadiums, snack bars and theaters.

Wattage: The higher the wattage of your popcorn machine, the faster the cook time

Go with the 860 watt machines or more for best results, although the 480 and 640 watt poppers work fine too (just take a little longer).

Controls: The controls on a popcorn machine are usually for 1 of 3 things.

They control the stirrer, the warming light, and the heating element for the kettle. High end popcorn machines will have all 3 switches but budget models may only have 2.

Budget: Budget is also an important factor to choose a popcorn maker