West Bend Stir Crazy Deluxe Popcorn Maker

West Bend Stir Crazy Deluxe Popcorn Maker

Defective Design
I'm a long-time, multiple Stir Crazy user (45+ years, I think), but I am incredibly disappointed with this new model. It purports to fix many of the minor irritations with my old Stir Crazy, but it does not make satisfactory popcorn.

My first Stir Crazy Deluxe did not work at all. West Bend customer service then sent me the wrong model (Kettle Krazy) as a replacement. I finally received a second Stir Crazy Deluxe after more calls (missing one of the bumpers on the feet and with an on/off switch that failed to light up when on). The second unit ran with wild swings in temperature and did not pop the corn properly. West Bend sent me a third unit that they took out of the box and tested before shipping. This unit did have all of the parts and appeared to work as designed. It did not make satisfactory popcorn.

This popper uses a halogen heating element, similar to those used on certain solid-surface cooktops. A halogen element heats up instantly, but the output level...

Disappointed
I read the reviews for the less expensive West Bend stir crazy and hoped this model would solve some of the problems. The stir rod on this model does not scratch the teflon coating and it has an on/off switch. Unfortunately, the on/off switch does not work. It just turns the LED light on and off, not the heating element. The write up says the stirring rod reverses. It did not over all the times I used the product. The heating element seems too hot. It was burning the corn that had already popped before even half the kernels had popped. I tried more oil and less oil to prevent the burning and nothing worked. I tried different popcorn. No joy. I was prepared to live with the bad on/off switch but I just never got any good popcorn out of this model. Sigh.

Kitchen Gadget Of The Year!
I used the original Stir Crazy model for years. In fact, I used it so much that I wore out several of them (literally, wore them out). This new Deluxe model is MILES ahead of the old model! The removable popping plate makes cleanup a breeze. The 1000-watt heating element pops the corn faster than the original model. The stirring rod DOES reverse if it gets stuck (that other reviewer must have received a defective unit).

The new Stir Crazy Deluxe model is absolutely superior to the original model. The only negative (which also plagues every other dedicated popper I've tried) is that the popcorn comes out slightly chewy due to trapped moisture.

I was so impressed with the Stir Crazy Deluxe that I wrote a review for my markshangout.com blog (including a tip for completely eliminating the chewy popcorn).

Deluxe stir crazy popcorn maker, vented cover doubles as a serving bowl, includes snap on lid, the removable heating plate has non-stick coating and is diswasher safe, the motorized stir rod reverses for improved popping, the handles are heat resistant and align with the cover for safe and easy serving, features On/Off switch, 1000 watts, 1 year warranty.

• 6 qt. vented cover doubles as a serving bowl, includes snap on lid
• Removable heating plate is non-stick coated and dishwasher safe
• Motorized, reversing stir rod for improved popping
• Heat resistant handles and base
• On/off switch, 1000 watts, 1 year warranty