Love this machine!! My fiance and I love making fresh popcorn and this gadget is fantastic! We usually do the stovetop method, but that requires constant tending. This machine has a little arm that sweeps the kernels across the hot plate so they don't burn and you don't have to worry about constantly agitating it. The measuring cup that comes with it is great for helping you figure out how many kernels you will need and the machine itself is very efficient--we had almost no unpopped kernels when we shut the machine off! I also love how the topper acts as a butter melting platform AND as a bowl. I'm always excited to have one less thing to clean up at the end of the night. Plus the bowl fits around the bottom of the cooking unit for easier storage too. Really love this machine!