A popcorn popper is provided having a cabinet including a popcorn popping chamber, a kettle positioned within the popcorn popping chamber, at least one inlet provided in the top wall of the popcorn popping chamber configured to receive effluent from the kettle when popping popcorn and a recirculation passage in fluid communication with the at least one inlet that is configured to receive effluent from the at least one inlet. A filter is positioned in the recirculation passage and a blower including a housing in fluid communication with the recirculation passage is provided with an outlet of the housing being configured to direct filtered effluent into the popcorn popping chamber through the top wall and downwardly generally parallel to one of the side walls. A method of operating a popcorn popper is also provided.

The aim of the invention is to provide a healthier product which contains less fat and no allergens and which, once cooked in a microwave appliance, is crunchy and does not stick together, such that the resulting popcorn is as homogeneous as possible. For this purpose, according to the invention, instead of coating the corn kernels with oils during treatment, they are instead coated with sunflower lecithin, a much healthier product that can be used to achieve the results mentioned above.

The aim of the invention is to provide a healthier product which contains less fat and no allergens and which, once cooked in a microwave appliance, is crunchy and does not stick together, such that the resulting popcorn is as homogeneous as possible. For this purpose, according to the invention, instead of coating the corn kernels with oils during treatment, they are instead coated with sunflower lecithin, a much healthier product that can be used to achieve the results mentioned above.

A popcorn popper for popping popcorn kernels includes a base section that includes an electrical blower that receives air from an inlet from a location exterior to the popcorn popper and provides air through an air outlet. A popping section that is positioned in a manner to receive the air provided through the air outlet of the base section and suitably sized for popping popcorn kernels in response to receiving sufficient heat together with the received air. A transfer section that receives the popped popcorn from the popping section that may optionally support popcorn and seasoning. A removable container that receives the popped popcorn from the transfer section.

A popcorn popper for popping popcorn kernels includes a base section that includes an electrical blower that receives air from an inlet from a location exterior to the popcorn popper and provides air through an air outlet. A popping section that is positioned in a manner to receive the air provided through the air outlet of the base section and suitably sized for popping popcorn kernels in response to receiving sufficient heat together with the received air. A transfer section that receives the popped popcorn from the popping section that may optionally support popcorn and seasoning. A removable container that receives the popped popcorn from the transfer section.

A popcorn popper having a heat source transferring heat to a heating surface and also having a reflective surface for focusing the heat radiated by the heat source toward the heating surface. The popcorn popper can include a mechanical stirrer on the heating surface for shifting the kernels during heating and evenly distributing the kernels across the heating surface. The popcorn popper can have a cover with an integrated reservoir for holding toppings for the popcorn, wherein the reservoir is adapted to drain the topping through the cover without fouling the cover air vents and evenly distribute the topping onto the kernels.

A popcorn popper having a heat source transferring heat to a heating surface and also having a reflective surface for focusing the heat radiated by the heat source toward the heating surface. The popcorn popper can include a mechanical stirrer on the heating surface for shifting the kernels during heating and evenly distributing the kernels across the heating surface. The popcorn popper can have a cover with an integrated reservoir for holding toppings for the popcorn, wherein the reservoir is adapted to drain the topping through the cover without fouling the cover air vents and evenly distribute the topping onto the kernels.

A popcorn popper having a heat source transferring heat to a heating surface and also having a reflective surface for focusing the heat radiated by the heat source toward the heating surface. The popcorn popper can include a mechanical stirrer on the heating surface for shifting the kernels during heating and evenly distributing the kernels across the heating surface. The popcorn popper can have a cover with an integrated reservoir for holding toppings for the popcorn, wherein the reservoir is adapted to drain the topping through the cover without fouling the cover air vents and evenly distribute the topping onto the kernels.

A popcorn popper having a heat source transferring heat to a heating surface and also having a reflective surface for focusing the heat radiated by the heat source toward the heating surface. The popcorn popper can include a mechanical stirrer on the heating surface for shifting the kernels during heating and evenly distributing the kernels across the heating surface. The popcorn popper can have a cover with an integrated reservoir for holding toppings for the popcorn, wherein the reservoir is adapted to drain the topping through the cover without fouling the cover air vents and evenly distribute the topping onto the kernels.

A method of popping popcorn in a microwave includes operating an energy source to provide energy to a cooking chamber and detecting, by a microphone sensor, sound waves in the cooking chamber and providing an output signal indicative of the detected sound waves to a control unit. The control unit can determine that the output signal is indicative of a popping sound generated by popcorn kernels popping and control the energy source to stop providing energy to the cooking chamber based on the detected popping sounds.