Sorry for the slight pun. I'm ready to buy my popcorn maker. My head is spinning from all the discussions, so I'm asking for comments on two questios.
1. If money is not an issue what is best table top 8oz. machine.

2. If money is an issue, best value for the money.

Thanks,

Elliot

I have a Paragon TP and it works awesome. Cretors is also good but they are a little pricey.

I love my Gold Medal 6 oz, but you can't go wrong with the Paragon, either. I picked mine because there is a Gold Medal office here so I can get all of my supplies and any work done on the popper locally!

Good luck.

another vote for Paragon. This is the one I have and it is great it is 8 oz.
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb101/Arwenmark/7efe5694abeb25e212697e5bd7ce2f5c.jpg

I got mine on the Stargatecinema power buy special.

another vote for Paragon. This is the one I have and it is great it is 8 oz.
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb101/Arwenmark/7efe5694abeb25e212697e5bd7ce2f5c.jpg

I got mine on the Stargatecinema power buy special.

Ditto for me on all counts. Had mine now for about 3 years from an earlier power buy - use it regularly and have never had a problem.

But best value for the money is, IMO, the Elite 8oz. machine from Costco ($260ish?) or the *cough* similar machine as discussed in the Discount Tommy thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=878500) for $200.

Or if you only make popcorn once or twice a week and don't care for a giant machine, a $25 Stir Crazy (http://www.amazon.com/West-Bend-6-Quart-Popcorn-Popper/dp/B00004RC6R/). :)

But best value for the money is, IMO, the Elite 8oz. machine from Costco ($260ish?) or the *cough* similar machine as discussed in the Discount Tommy thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=878500) for $200.

Or if you only make popcorn once or twice a week and don't care for a giant machine, a $25 Stir Crazy (http://www.amazon.com/West-Bend-6-Quart-Popcorn-Popper/dp/B00004RC6R/). :)

Gave my nephew the 8oz Stir Crazy (a little bit more expensive than the 'original' one) and it's GREAT. Even made some caramel corn in it, and it did a good job.

Or if you only make popcorn once or twice a week and don't care for a giant machine, a $25 Stir Crazy (http://www.amazon.com/West-Bend-6-Quart-Popcorn-Popper/dp/B00004RC6R/). :)I'm also going to second the Stir Crazy for the best value machine. While my first one was intermittently defective, the replacement has worked flawlessly. It pops quickly, and there are very few old maids left over.

Scott

I had the small Stir Crazy and it was perfectly sized for 4oz pre-packs. I presume the larger (8qt) one would be a good fit for 6oz pre-packs. The stirrer rod would stick from time to time but hey, for $25, it made great popcorn.

Rumor has it that there might just be a popcorn machine powerbuy coming up real soon now. This is great news for me since I'm ready to buy! Just need to figure out which one, that's the hard part.

Guy

Paragon. Great build quality. I love the quality and construction of my machine. will probably last a decade or more! :)

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g273/MidLife_2006/Popper1.gif?t=1193012318

Paragon here but I have a different model than the one above, I believe mine is the paragon 911, 4oz, it has provided my family with tons of great popcorn over the past 4 years with out a hitch a great machine indeed at a reasonable price.

Paragon here but I have a different model than the one above, I believe mine is the paragon 911, 4oz, it has provided my family with tons of great popcorn over the past 4 years with out a hitch a great machine indeed at a reasonable price.


+1

I liked my 1911 4oz so much I upgraded to the 8oz model. No problems with either model and I make at least one batch every week.

I also give the thumbs up to the Paragon, I have the 1911 Style 6oz Poporn Machine.
I like it because of the design. Plus it is made in the USA, (Iowa)
kettle wipes out easy even after camel corn.

Cretor's Nite Club.

Paragon here but I have a different model than the one above, I believe mine is the paragon 911, 4oz, it has provided my family with tons of great popcorn over the past 4 years with out a hitch a great machine indeed at a reasonable price.

+1

We just bought the 6oz. Metropolitan from Ken at Stargate. Great price and great service. The most amazing thing is that we placed the order on Monday (national holiday) morning and the machine and accessories arrived on Tuesday. Admittedly, we are only a few hundred miles away, but I still consider that far better than expected. We picked this model largely because it will go against the back wall in our home theater and she didn't want to hide the graphics against the wall.

Sadly, the wife has decided that it is the family x-mas present and that we need to keep it hidden from the kids until after the fat guy leaves on the 25th. Oh well...I'm sure it will be well received whenever I am allowed to bring it out of hiding.

The last things you want is for the kids to get it on Christmas, try to make a batch of popcorn, and find something doesn't work (lights, heat element, stir mechanism).

You really need to cook up a test batch now to confirm its okay, and allow enough time to return/replace it if it doesn't. (Try to tell your wife this with a straight face)

Congrats on your purchase!

My vote is for Cretor's - built like a tank and good resale value. It's a commercial quality machine.

price?

Thanks for everyone's input. For now I'm going with the 8oz Stir Crazy. Any suggestions on brand of popcorn/oil or packs to use.

Thanks,
Elliot

I recommend Country Harvest Popcorn portion Packs. I have used Megapop for several years, but, recently, I like the taste and texture of Country Harvest better. Just MO. :)

Country Harvest is the tastiest I've had so far. If you're interested in Country Harvest, be aware it is available in rebadged product from multiple resellers. Below is one of them. You'll have to make your way to "popcorn supplies" to see this. The link won't go directly to the right page.

http://www.deusterco.com/enter.html?lmd=39170.831377

What ounce size of packs should I use for 8qt. Stir Crazy, 4oz, 6oz, etc.?

thanks

Macy's has this one if you wanna go cheap :)

$49.95 after rebate

My first post so I cant post the URL. Just go to macys.com and search for popcorn

Thanks wg4ever.

I work at a movie theatre in Miami, FL and am the senior concession supervisor...I am so sick of popcorn I am banning it from my home theatre when it gets set up :P