How to Clean a Whirley Pop Popcorn Popper – A Detailed Guide

Do you love your Whirley Pop popcorn maker but find that it needs a deep clean to keep performing optimally? With some simple cleaning steps, you can make sure your Whirley Pop lasts for years while continuing to churn out delicious homemade popcorn.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to clean a Whirley Pop thoroughly. We’ll cover why regular cleaning is important, the supplies you’ll need, and a step-by-step process to clean the popper housing, lid, gears, serving bowl, and remove any built-up residue.

Why It’s Important to Clean Your Whirley Pop Regularly?

Cleaning your Whirley Pop regularly prevents a buildup of burnt oil and food debris that can lead to several issues:

• Reduced popping performance – Grease residue on the gears, rod, and interior can interfere with the stirring mechanism, resulting in unpopped kernels.
• Mold growth – Any moisture and leftover kernels in the popper after use can promote mold growth inside the housing.
• Rancid taste – Oil residue from previous batches gives new popcorn a rancid, unpleasant taste.
• Shortened lifespan – Letting debris and residue accumulate puts strain on the motor and parts.

Regular cleaning keeps the interior surfaces smooth and removes moisture, ensuring the Whirley Pop functions optimally batch after batch. Your popcorn will taste fresher too!

Supplies You’ll Need to Clean a Whirley Pop

Before getting started, gather the following cleaning supplies:

• Dish soap – Use a small amount of mild dish detergent. Avoid harsh soaps.
• Sponge or soft dish cloth – For washing the housing, lid, and bowl.
• Stiff brush or cleaning toothbrush – Helps scrub stuck-on debris in crevices and vents.
• White distilled vinegar – For dissolving oily buildup and odors.
• Water – For rinsing after washing.
• Towels – For drying the popper parts thoroughly after cleaning.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cleaning a Whirley Pop

Follow these steps for a complete Whirley Pop cleaning process:

1. Wash the Popper Housing and Lid

After popping, always allow the Whirley Pop to cool fully before cleaning.

Fill the base about halfway with warm water and a small squirt of dish soap. Swirl the soapy water around to cover all interior surfaces.

Use the soft sponge or dishcloth to scrub the inside bottom and sides of the metal housing. Get into crevices and corners.

Take the stiff brush and carefully scrub any stuck-on debris or oily residue from the interior vents. The narrow brush is perfect for getting into these areas.

Remove the clear plastic lid and wash with warm, soapy water. Use the sponge to remove any built-up grease or butter on the underside of the lid.

Thoroughly rinse away all soap with clean water. Place both the housing and lid upside down on towels to air dry.

2. Clean the Gears, Rod, and Stirring System

The yellow gears connect to the metal rod and string that stirs the kernels while popping. They are easily removable for cleaning.

Carefully detach the plastic gears from the metal rod by twisting and pulling them off.

Wash the plastic gears thoroughly in warm, soapy water. Use a small brush to remove any stubborn residue.

Rinse and let them air dry fully before replacing them onto the rod.

Next, wipe down the metal gear rod with a soapy cloth. Pay special attention to cleaning the threaded end.

Rinse away all soap under running water.

The nylon string does not detach but can be scrubbed with a soapy cloth or toothbrush. Rinse fully with water.

Allow the rod and string to dry completely before reattaching the gears.

3. Detach and Wash the Serving Bowl

The clear plastic serving bowl detaches easily from the Whirley Pop housing. This makes it convenient to wash.

Fill your sink or a bowl with warm, soapy water. Put the serving bowl in and use a soft sponge or cloth to remove any oil, grease, and leftover popcorn kernels sticking inside.

Avoid using abrasive scrubbing brushes or scouring pads on the plastic, as they can cause scratching.

Once the bowl is clean, rinse away all soap residue. Place upside down on a towel and let it fully air dry.

4. Remove Built-Up Oil and Residue

Even after washing, oil residue can still remain coating the inside of the popper. This can lead to rancid tasting popcorn or even mold developing.

To thoroughly remove built-up grease and residue, make a vinegar cleaning solution.

Fill the Whirley Pop about 1/3 full with water. Add 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar.

Place the popper housing on the stovetop over medium heat. Allow the vinegar cleaning solution come to a gentle boil.

Once boiling, remove the popper from the heat and allow the vinegar mixture to sit and soak for 15 minutes. This helps dissolve and loosen any remaining oily buildup.

After 15 minutes, carefully empty the vinegar solution from the popper into the sink. Avoid spilling, as the solution may still be hot.

Rinse the interior of the housing thoroughly with clean water to remove any vinegar smell or residue.

5. Dry All Parts Fully

It’s important that the entire Whirley Pop, including the housing, lid, gears, and serving bowl, are completely dry before reassembling and storing.

Use clean towels to thoroughly dry the interior and exterior of the metal housing. Flip the popper upside down to allow any moisture to drain out.

Make sure the plastic lid, serving bowl, gears, and rod are also completely dry before replacing them on the unit. Air drying works best, but towels can help absorb any leftover moisture.

Now your Whirley Pop popcorn maker is sparkling clean and ready for poppin’!

Extra Tips for Cleaning a Whirley Pop

• Consider replacing the oil/butter after 5-6 uses. Old oil leads to buildup.
• Immediately wipe up any oil drips from the exterior after popping.
• For stuck-on residue, let vinegar solution soak overnight before scrubbing.
• Inspect the interior vent holes for any blocked residue obstructing airflow.
• Wash removable parts by hand instead of dishwasher to prevent warping.
• Check manufacturer instructions for any additional cleaning recommendations.

How Often Should You Clean a Whirley Pop?

Ideally, you should wash the Whirley Pop every 2-3 uses. But it also depends on:

• How often you use it. Clean more frequently if you make popcorn multiple times a week.
• The type of oil/butter used. Some create more residue than others when popped.
• How thoroughly you cleaned after the last use. Promptly washing reduces buildup.
• If you notice any mold, stickiness, foul odors or popping issues, it’s definitely time for a deep clean!

Signs Your Whirley Pop Needs Cleaning

Watch for these signs that indicate it’s time to clean your popcorn maker:

• Kernels are not popping fully or at all
• Burnt smell or smoke when popping
• Popcorn tastes stale or rancid
• Black grease buildup on interior
• Mold growth on walls or lid
• Gears won’t turn smoothly
• Unexplained popping noises or issues

Don’t wait until you notice major problems to clean your Whirley Pop. Regular maintenance keeps this simple popcorn popper in great shape for years of delicious popcorn making!

Now that you know how to thoroughly clean a Whirley Pop, you can keep yours looking and performing like new. Just be sure to follow these best practices:

• Wash interior and parts after each use.
• Periodically de-grease with vinegar to remove residue.
• Fully dry all pieces before reassembling.
• Replace old oil and butter to minimize buildup.

With proper cleaning and care, your dependable Whirley Pop will continue churning out popcorn perfection for years of movie nights and snacking. Now grab the butter and salt – it’s popcorn time!