What Is This Sears Thing?

[rp2813]

I found two answers on line:  1) Popcorn popper, and 2) Fryer.

 

So much for my first impression:  A revolutionary waterless double boiler.

 

At 400 watts, it can't be a fryer, and I'm skeptical that it would get hot enough to pop corn either.

 

The pictures of the two items I found on line indicate that both were used for some sort of messy operation.  Mine is in much better shape than either of them.

 

Can anyone confirm what this thing is?

 

[rp2813]

With the lid off:

 

[rp2813]

The soft glow 400 watts provides:

 

[whirlcool]

Is there any kind of temperature control on it? If so what are the temp ranges?

 

[rp2813]

The details:

 

[jetcone]

I'd guess slow cooker

but it doesn't look big enough. I know,its a Kenmore potty-pot! in AL-you-minium.

Odd little thing isn't it with its round bowl bottom.

Candy maker??

 

[rp2813]

No temperature settings.  No on/off switch or indicator light.  It just plugs into the power source like a percolator.

 

[appliguy]

Your kidding right?

It is a popcorn popper. I have had a few of these over the years under different names. They were in inexpensive way that the family could have popcorn at home. You put a little oil in the bottom of the pot and put in the corn. Then you plug it in to the electrical outlet. With in a few minutes the popcorn will start to pop and when you hear the popping get down to a few seconds between pops then you unplug the popper and dump the popcorn in a bowl. Poppers like these were made from before WW2 all the way through the 60s and 70's and can make great popcorn if you are willing to be paitent and learn how long to leave the popper plugged in and that can vary depending on things like the freshness and moisture content of the popcorn.  I have found that freezing the popcorn helps keep it fresher, GOOD LUCK....PAT COFFEY

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

IT'S A POPCORN POPPER!   

 

We used to have one VERY similer to this we made popcorn in!    

 

I can't remember the specifically brand name, but the shape of the handle, power cord and heating element in the bottom instantly took me back many, MANY moons ago when I used ours to make popcorn!   The "bowl" was removable for easy dispensing of the popped corn as well as cleaning.   I remember there was a specific sound the little feet pads made as I slid it back and forth on the counter to "stir" it before the corn started popping.

 

So yes, popcorn popper!   Try it!   Put a couple tablespoons of oil and maybe a 1/4 cup (or less) of kernels.   Shake a few times as it's heating, then more so as it's popping!

 

Let us know how it turns out and don't forget the pictures!

 

Kevin  

 

(This makes me want to go dig around in my moms kitchen to see if I can find it.   I'll bet it's still there somewhere!)

[this post was last edited: 1/15/2013-16:52]

 

[kevin313]

It's a popcorn popper! I've seen these at the thrift stores, but never picked one up. Make a batch and tell us how it comes out!

 

[retropia]

Yes, it's a popcorn popper. We had one growing up. It worked pretty well, as i recall.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Pretty cool but

Just gotta love that UL rating on an appliance that runs the bare wire element without the bowl in place. I know common sense is supposed to kick in here but try making this appliance today...

RCD

 

[yogitunes]

Where's Lou.....he has a few of these....cool as hell.....no kitchen should be complete without!

 

[wiskybill]

Instructions

For the WestBend on the left...
1. Pre-heat popper for 6 minutes
2. Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil---heat 3 to 4 minutes
until oil is very hot
3. Add 1/3 cup popcorn--pop about 2 minutes

The WestBend is rated 450 watts and the Mirro on the right is 490 watts.

 

[tomturbomatic]

We had a Sears popper, but it had a ceramic block for the heating element and it was slow to heat the oil because the pan did not sit on the element so as to lessen the chance of burning the corn. My parents liked the popper so much that they bought them to give as gifts to friends. Ours had a circle about a half inch from the flat bottom of the tapered pan. You filled it to there with oil and corn and it would lift the lid when the popping was over. Cheap entertainment was to have friends over for TV or home movies and make popcorn. How people loved that back in the 50s. I don't know if it was a step up or down when potato chips and dip came along.

 

[rp2813]

I was hoping it was something else.

 

I received this one as a gift recently and find it much more appealing.  Plus, the locking lid doubles as a serving bowl (just flip the entire assembly over) and the popping surface is Teflon for easy cleaning.

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Ooooh.... how COOL is that?!?

 

SCHWEET!

 

Kevin

 

[danemodsandy]

I'm Sure....

....I could start a whole megillah about whether these make the best popcorn or not, but without doubt, they make the most nostalgic popcorn - this is the taste I grew up with.

What gets me now that I think about it is how carefully treats like popcorn were doled out back in the day. You ate meat and veg, or tuna casserole or something like that most of the time - a few times a year you got hot dogs or a trip to McDonald's or popcorn or pizza or pop. Anything really fun to eat was regarded with deep suspicion by my parents and their parents.

And, as it turns out, they were right. We were skinnier as a nation then, and healthier.

 

[kenmore71]

Even back in the day when I was YOUNG (which was the late 1970s) treats were doled out sparingly on the farmstead. The big treat on Saturday night was a couple of batches of kettle popped popcorn (with real butter of course) and 2 16 oz. bottles of soda shared between the six of us! If dad was in the mood for a beer instead, that meant that the four kids and mom could share the quart of soda!!!

My grandfather had a popcorn popper very similar to ones shown. I think his was a Presto.