3... 2... 1... Popcorn!!!!!

I've always been somewhat of a popcorn afficienado, a connoisseur of the buttered and salted manna that is the popped kernel.  I've tried many methods over the years: stovetop, electric popper with and without stirrer, air popped (choke!), fireplace, microwave and commercial popper.  I've eaten it at home, at the theater, and even department stores such as K-Mart, Venture and Target.  I've never met a popper I didn't like (well, maybe a little displeased with the hot air popper.  Just too darn dry!)

So when I came across this rocket-shaped Duracrest electric popper that looked ready to blast right off,  all priced at a dollar, I had to have it.

It's aluminum with a plastic dome.  There's a glass jewel eye that lights up orange when the element is on, a feature I've seen on toasters as well.  I haven't been able to find any like it on the internet, nor much about the company.  I would place it in the 1950's or 60's.

We've made a few batches of corn with it already, and it does a respectable job.  The only challenges with it are  it has a concave bottom which allows the oil to pool rather than spread evenly and there's no stirrer built in, so there's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on.