I like our old hot air popper. Cannot remember the brand, but it makes nice, fluffy popcorn. I like to use Orville Redenbacker.

I had one called Stir Crazy years ago. It made good popcorn, but these days I avoid the oil.
Did you know you can pop popcorn in a glass dish with a lid? No oil needed.
Kathy

I still think the best popcorn comes from the kettle on the burner and lots of shaking! I've never had much of a problem with kernels not popping. I have, however, burned my share of batches by walking away and forgetting to shake! :(

We use this one and does a great job!!! Use it almost every night. Quick and EASY!!

Stir crazy popcorn maker, like this one from Target.

Here is a link that might be useful: popcorn maker

My husband uses a pot with a lid, on the stove. I like it just fine, in my biggest microwave container, in the microwave.

Moni

We have the Stir Crazy popper. Had it 28 years now! LOL I LOVE popcorn! DH likes to nuke it but its not as good as "real". IMO! The boys came here a year or so ago and I got it out and they were just amazed! LOL All they knew was microwave! THey have to stand in front of the popper and watch it.
I don't melt the butter in the top of the popper like it says, I pop and then melt my butter and pour over it (lots of it too!) add popcorn salt and I am a pig thats died and gone to heaven!

Another Stir Crazy fan here. I do it exactly like Nodakgal.

The Viking microwave popcorn popper for about $12 works great for us. you can use no oil, or about a teaspoon of oil.

we had a stir crazy when growing up and it was good. We had the whirly pop here, and it didn't last very long. Was hard to clean, it was a real pita and it was more fun to just shake a pot on the stove top.

We now use the hotair popper. When we had a problem with chewy popcorn, it was the popcorn itself, not the popper.

Thanks for your replies. I will check out your recommendations. I was trying to not use oil and make it healthier, but my DH says air popped isn't as good as with oil. We'll see. The popcorn used in the new air popper, was a brand new jar of plain Orville's.
I'll keep trying. Thanks.

I use a sauce pan on the stove, but don't shake. When there is 5 seconds between pops, it's done and doesn't usually burn. I don't usually care for air popped, but if that is what is available, that's what I eat. Microwave popcorn, on the other hand, most times I will leave alone. Something about the way it smells makes both DH and I nauseous. And I LOVE popcorn!! Had some last night.

Tami

I do like Tami Ohio. I pop in a sauce pan on the stove and I don't shake it too much maybe just a couple of shakes until the popping stops. Almost always turns out perfect. The pan I use is an old one that I use only for popping corn. We pop a lot of corn at our house, at least once a week. I buy Orville Redenbacker's. I find some cheaper brands many times comes out tough. I can't stand the smell of microwave popcorn either.

We have used the Presto Power Pop for years and just love it. We are now on our second one in the house and purchased one for the RV. The paper concentrator cups can be purchased from Wal Mart on line. I use mine over and over and get about 6 batches of popcorn before having to replace it.

You don't have to use oil. I do because we like it like that. I then add extra butter and salt in the bowl. Not too healthy but tastes wonderful.

Here is a link that might be useful: Power Pop

Thanks everyone. I'll look into all the suggestions.
I must have the heat too high when using the saucepan. Maybe I'm puting too much popcorn in the pan to begin with, and that's why I'm left with un-popped kernels. My DM always just covered the bottom of the pan with oil, then when that was hot, covered the bottom of the pan with a layer of kernels. Cover, and wait for the popping to begin, then shake intil stopped.
I was trying to find an easier way. If it weren't for my DH, I'd be satisfied with this popper! Hmmmmmm...