R.S.V.P Perfect Popper: Vintage Hand Crank Popcorn Popper

When my husband brought the R.S.V.P. Perfect Popper home, I wasn't impressed-that is, until I actually tried it. He found this vintage popcorn popper "in the box" at a local yard sale. Made from lightweight aluminum, this hand crank popper doesn't look like it is sturdy enough to make popcorn. Of course, I must admit I grew up making stovetop popcorn in a cast iron kettle, so I may have been a wee bit biased.

It didn't take long for this little popper to convince me it had what it takes to pop up a batch of crunchy popcorn. Not only could it handle the job, the popcorn pos quickly, too. So quickly, in fact, that the first time I used it I thought there must be unpopped kernels in the bottom. There wasn't. Every kernel popped in a matter of a minute or two.

Because the popper has a split cover for pouring the popped corn into a bowl, it also lets steam escape keeping the popcorn crunching. Simply pour the oil into the popper, add the corn and within seconds, the popping begins.

I must admit that the hand crank doesn't operate as smoothly as I would like and does take a bit of adjusting to keep the crank operating as expected-but overall it does a great job. I love that I don't need to shake the pan or crack open the cover to let steam escape.

Pouring the popped corn into a bowl is a little more challenging. I would like to be able to use it with one hand, but I mastered that skill, yet. It requires holding the handle and the lever that opens the cover with one hand and assisting the process with the other. I'm not sure if it were designed to operate with one hand or if I was simply expecting too much.

Overall, I love my vintage hand crank popcorn popper. It's quick. It's easy. And the popcorn tastes like the old fashioned corn I grew up with-although I do think it's tenderer than that cooked on the old woodstove. I attribute that to how well it vents the steam.

Sprinkle with a little flavored popcorn salt and you have a crunchy snack reminiscent of the days when the whole family gathered around the woodstove on chilly winter nights and actually spent time together. Throw in a ghost story or two and you are set for evening of good old-fashioned entertainment to warm the soul.