not a very good product, cheaply made

Item was not quality expected and merchant accepts no returns after item was opened!

The machine arrived with the doors misaligned so that they do not quite close properly. We were willing to look past that since it looked like a nice machine otherwise. Shortly after that, the kettle stopped heating. Benchmark was nice enough to send a new thermostat, which did nothing, and then they sent a new heating element, which apparently was the problem. After spending hours disassembling and reassembling the kettle twice for these parts, it worked again...for a few weeks. Then, the arm that holds the kettle to the top of the machine became dangerously loose, so we had to take the top off and try to tighten that. Now, it's no longer heating up again and the company pretty apathetic...sending more of the same parts for me to spend hours replacing. Don't buy this machine. We've had several other machines over the last 13 years and even the worst lasted 2-3 years. This one - not even 2 months.

Great popper. The knob was crushed when I got it, but a 2 minute phone call to Benchmark and it was on its way. Only delayed use by 2 days and the support was amazing and understanding :-)

The kettle heats up in just a few minutes and popping starts quickly, especially after the first batch.

I got this simply because I love popcorn, but have brought it to a company event and a friend's wedding in the month I've had it. It made a big impression at both places and was a huge hit.

The inside can get extremely hot keeping popcorn at a fresh temperature. I've gotten it up to 100C and haven't even set the knob all the way up, so you don't have to worry about popcorn going stale (although it always goes so fast how could it sit long enough to go stale).

Cleaning is pretty simple. The kettle is easy to take in and out and most everything else is dishwasher safe. Use rubbing alcohol if any oil gets sticky, works well. Benchmark also sells a cleaning kit for that purpose I haven't tried.

One kettle fills about 3 "small" bags. I say "small" because the bags I'm using are more than enough for an average person.

If you want to make theater popcorn, buy flavacol and use 1.25 tsp per 1 cup unopened corn and 1/3 cup oil. I promise it will be great and everyone will love it.