I think my air popper must be 15 years old Not sure what kind it is. Maybe they have nifty features nowadays that I don't even know I'm missing I have always preferred air popped corn, even when adding butter to it after popping. But I enjoy plain too sometimes.
Sloanie, I will try. My microwave steamer is mostly used to steam veggies. It has a base, a tray, and a box-like cover. To steam the veggies you add water to the base, put the tray on top of the water, add the veggies to the tray, put the box-like cover on top, and microwave it for the needed amount of time.
To use it as a popcorn popper you just add the unpopped corn to the base. Put the box-like cover on top, and microwave it until the popping stops. No water is added to pop the corn.
As I said, I've had this thing for many, many years. It works great for me for both the steaming of veggies and also the popping of corn. When it wears out I will be searching for something like it. It really works well for me.
Sorry I can't provide brand names or anything like that. I probably bought it at Kmart or some place similar.
I surprise myself at times. I found the instruction booklet that came with my popcorn popper. It is an Anchor Ovenware Popcorn Popper Steamer/Roaster. U.S. Patent #4,477,705. It is made by the Anchor Hocking Corporation, Lancaster Ohio 43130. It even has a parts reorder form, with part numbers and order information which I will be happy to share with you if you wish.
I of course have no idea if they are still making the thing. The prices listed for the replacement parts tell me that I really bought it a long time ago.
Today I made popcorn using 2 tsp. olive oil and corn - just used my skillet and lid and it turned out really well! So much better than microwave popcorn.
I don't know what you call it but I got this bowl at Walmart specially made for microwaving popcorn, it has a plastic lid that has vents to let the steam out when it's popping... It makes great popcorn... It costs around 20$...