Presto 04820 Poplite Hot Air Popcorn Popper
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
To reduce the risk of personal injury or property damage, when using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following:
- Read all instructions. Do not leave the unit unattended while in use.
- Cover and butter melter must be in place before plugging the unit in.
- This unit pops with hot air. Do not place oil, shortening, butter, or margarine in the popping chamber. Use of these substances will cause hazards and damage the unit.
- Do not touch hot surfaces. The cover and detachable butter melter become hot during popping.
- To protect against electrical hazards, do not immerse the cord, plug, or popper in water or other liquids.
- Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children.
- Unplug from the outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to cool before putting on or taking off parts and before cleaning the appliance.
- Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or in the event the appliance malfunctions, is dropped, or is damaged in any manner. Before returning this appliance to the Presto Factory Service Department for examination, repair, or electrical or mechanical adjustment, see the “Important Information” section on page 3.
- The use of attachments not recommended or sold by the appliance manufacturer may cause fire, electric shock, or injury.
- Do not use outdoors.
- Do not let the cord hang over the edge of the table or counter or touch hot surfaces.
- Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner or in a heated oven.
- Do not use the appliance for other use than intended.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
THIS PRODUCT IS FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY.
Important Cord Information
This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). To reduce the risk of electric shock, this plug is intended to fit into a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully into the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to modify the plug in any way. A short power supply cord (or cord set) is provided to reduce the risk resulting from becoming entangled in or tripping over a longer cord. Extension cords may be used if care is properly exercised in their use. If an extension cord is used, the marked electrical rating of the extension cord should be at least as great as the electrical rating of the appliance. The extension cord should be arranged so that it will not drape over the countertop or tabletop, where it can be pulled on by children or tripped over unintentionally. Connect the power supply cord to a 120VAC electrical outlet only.
How To Use
IMPORTANT: To assure proper operation, read and follow instructions carefully. Before using for the first time, wash the popper cover and butter melter in warm, soapy water; rinse and dry thoroughly. Wipe the popper base with a damp cloth. NEVER IMMERSE BASE IN WATER OR OTHER LIQUID.
- Remove the cover and butter melter from the popper base (Fig. A).
- Using the butter melter as your measuring scoop, fill the butter melter with popcorn until it is LEVEL. Do not pack popcorn into the scoop or overfill. Pour popcorn into the popping chamber.*
IMPORTANT: Never fill the popping chamber past the fill line (Fig. B). This could result in overheating, smoking, scorched corn, and may cause the unit to shut off. See the “Important Information” section on page 3. - Place the cover in the cover groove (Fig. B). For easiest alignment, begin by positioning the back of the cover in the groove and then lower the cover until the sides are seated in the groove.
- Position the butter melter on the cover with the tab towards the back of the popper (Fig. A). Never pop popcorn without the butter melter in position on the cover. If you prefer buttered popcorn, put 1 tablespoon of SOFT butter or margarine in the butter melter. Refrigerated butter will not melt during the short popping period. Whether you melt butter or not, the butter melter must always be in position on the cover when popping corn.
WARNING! Do not place salt, butter, margarine, shortening, or microwave popcorn in the popping chamber, as this could damage the popper and cause a fire hazard. - Place a 4-quart or larger heat-proof bowl under the popping chute to collect popped corn. One batch will yield 3 to 5 quarts of popped popcorn.
- Plug the unit into a 120VAC electrical outlet. Once popping starts, it will be completed within 2 to 3 minutes.
IMPORTANT: Do not leave the unit unattended while popping. Because the yield is so great with this popper, you may have to add a second bowl during popping.
CAUTION! Occasionally, a hot, unpopped kernel may be thrown from the popping chute. To avoid contact with hot kernels, keep well away from the popping chute during popping. - Unplug the unit when popping is complete. Some popcorn may remain in the chamber after popping has stopped.** To prevent scorching, unplug the popper without waiting for the corn to clear the unit. Because a few kernels may continue to pop even after the unit is unplugged, make sure all popping has stopped before removing the cover and butter melter.
* If you prefer to use a standard dry measuring cup, 1 butter melter scoop = ½ cup.
** When popcorn remains in the chamber after popping and has not discharged, it is caused by variances in popcorn type, freshness, moisture content, or household current.
Using hot pads, carefully remove the cover, pour the remaining popcorn into the bowl, and immediately place the cover back on the unit.
NOTE: The cover is made of a costly material that absorbs heat without melting. When heated, it does soften and may change shape temporarily if left on the counter to cool, which may make it difficult to place back on the popper base. To avoid this situation, always return the cover to the base immediately after pouring out the popcorn. - If butter is melted in the butter melter, carefully grasp the butter melter by the tab and pour the butter over the popped corn. Sprinkle the popcorn with salt if desired.
- Before popping additional batches, make sure the popping chamber is empty. Using hot pads, remove the cover and turn the unit upside down to remove popcorn or unpopped kernels. Wash and dry the butter melter if it was used to melt butter. Then repeat steps 2 through 8.
Important Information:
This popper is thermostatically controlled. It will shut off to prevent overheating if the popping chamber is overfilled or if the popper is used continuously for extended periods without being unplugged and allowed to cool. Should this happen, unplug the popper from the wall outlet, remove the cover, empty any popped or unpopped corn from the popping chamber, and return the cover to the base immediately. Allow the popper to cool for about 15 minutes before using it again.
How To Clean
- Allow the unit to cool before cleaning.
- Wash the cover and butter melter in warm, soapy water. Do not wash in the dishwasher. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Wipe the corn popper base, including the popping chamber, clean and dry with a soft, dry cloth. Never immerse the corn popper base in water or other liquid. Do not scour surfaces with steel wool or abrasive cleaners.
- Place the cover on the unit and wind the cord around the built-in cord wrap for convenient storage (Fig. A, page 2).
Helpful Hints
- This popper is designed to pop regular and premium brands of popcorn. Try different brands to find the one you like best. Yellow popcorn generally pops larger than white.
- Some varieties of small and lighter-weight kernel popcorn are not recommended for use with hot air poppers. Refer to any additional instructions by the popcorn manufacturer.
- Always use fresh popcorn for the best popping performance. Store popcorn in a tightly sealed container. Do not store popcorn in a refrigerator or freezer, as this can dry out the kernels quickly.
- Carefully select the bowl you will be using to collect popcorn. A metal bowl may become very hot to the touch due to the flow of hot air from the chute and must be handled carefully. It will, however, tend to keep the popcorn warm. If a plastic bowl is used, be certain it can withstand the heat caused by the warm air flow without melting.
- Never fill the popping chamber past the fill line (Fig. B, page 2). Overloading the chamber will cause overheating, smoking, scorched corn, and may cause the unit to shut off. Should this happen, unplug the popper from the wall outlet, remove the cover, empty any popped or unpopped corn from the popping chamber, and return the cover to the base immediately. Allow the popper to cool for about 15 minutes before using it again.
- The butter melter capacity is equal to ½ cup. Using less than one level of butter melter full of popcorn (½ cup) may increase the number of unpopped kernels.
- Tipping the popper toward the bowl slightly when popping stops will help clear popped corn from the chamber.
Lite Oil Popcorn Recipe
Toss popcorn with 3 to 5 teaspoons of vegetable oil. Add salt if desired. For a unique flavor, add seasonings, such as Cajun spices, seasoning salt, grated Parmesan cheese, butter-flavored salt and much more. For more delicious popcorn recipes, visit: www.GoPresto.com/recipes/popcorn/
Consumer Service Information
If you have any questions regarding the operation of your PRESTO appliance or need parts for your appliance, contact us by any of these methods:
- Call 1-800-877-0441 weekdays 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Central Time)
- Email us through our website at www.GoPresto.com/contact
- Write: National Presto Industries, Inc.
Consumer Service Department 3925 North Hastings Way, Eau Claire, WI 54703-3703
When contacting the Consumer Service Department, please indicate the model and series numbers for the popper. These numbers can be found on the bottom of the popper. Please record this information:
Model _____________ Series _____________ Date Purchased _____________
Inquiries will be answered promptly by telephone, email, or letter. When emailing or writing, please include a phone number and a time when you can be reached during weekdays, if possible. The Presto Factory Service Department is equipped to service PRESTO appliances and supply genuine PRESTO replacement parts. Genuine PRESTO replacement parts are manufactured to the same exacting quality standards as PRESTO appliances and are engineered specifically to function properly with its appliances. Presto can only guarantee the quality and performance of genuine PRESTO replacement parts. “Look-alikes” might not be of the same quality or function in the same manner. To ensure that you are buying genuine PRESTO replacement parts, look for the PRESTO trademark. Canton Sales and Storage Company Presto Factory Service Department 555 Matthews Drive, Canton, MS 39046-3251
PRESTO Limited Warranty (Applies Only in the United States)
This quality PRESTO appliance is designed and built to provide many years of satisfactory performance under normal household use. Presto pledges to the original owner that should there be any defects in material or workmanship during the first year after purchase, we will repair or replace it at our option. Our pledge does not apply to damage caused by shipping. Outside the United States, this limited warranty does not apply. To obtain service under the warranty, please call our Consumer Service Department at 1-800-877-0441. If unable to resolve the problem, you will be instructed to send your PRESTO appliance to the Presto Factory Service Department for a quality inspection; shipping costs will be your responsibility. When returning an appliance, please include your name, address, phone number, and the date you purchased the appliance, as well as a description of the problem you are encountering with the appliance. We want you to obtain maximum enjoyment from using this PRESTO appliance and ask that you read and follow the instructions enclosed. Failure to follow instructions, damage caused by improper replacement parts, abuse, misuse, disassembly, alterations, or neglect will void this pledge. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. This is Presto’s personal pledge to you and is being made in place of all other express warranties. NATIONAL PRESTO INDUSTRIES, INC. EAU CLAIRE, WI 54703-3703
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Presto 04820 Poplite Hot Air Popcorn Popper-FAQs
How do I use the Presto Poplite Hot Air Popper?
Fill the popping chamber with the recommended amount of kernels, place the cover and butter-melting cup on top, set a large bowl under the chute, and plug in the popper. Popcorn will begin popping within minutes.
Do I need oil to pop popcorn in this hot air popper?
No. The Poplite uses hot air only—no oil is needed. Add seasonings or melted butter after popping.
Should I preheat the Poplite before adding kernels?
No preheating is required. Add the kernels first and then plug in the unit to start popping.
Why is my popcorn not popping properly?
Kernels may be too old or too dry. Popcorn requires about 14–15% moisture to pop well. Replace stale kernels for better results.
What should I do if kernels fly out of the chamber?
This can happen with lightweight or smaller kernels. Use standard popcorn kernels and avoid overfilling the chamber.
Why are some kernels left unpopped?
A few unpopped kernels are normal. If many kernels remain, they may be low-moisture or the popper may be overfilled.
How much popcorn does the Poplite make at once?
The Poplite typically pops up to 18 cups of popcorn from one full chamber of kernels.
How do I clean the Presto Poplite?
Unplug the popper and allow it to cool. Wipe the base and chamber with a damp cloth. The cover and butter-melting cup can be washed in warm soapy water.