I grew up on stove-topped popcorn and neither air or microwave popcorn really tastes "right" to me. (I had an interesting conversation with a Target employee recently where I had to explain to him that you could actually pop popcorn on a stove and that it was sold in another format besides shrink-wrapped paper bags.) I didn't realize that was the definition of kettle corn.
As an alternative to the stove, I absolutely heart the West Bend "Stir Crazy" corn poppers: http://www.amazon.com/West-Bend-Crazy-Corn-Popper/dp/B0001NH0FY/sr=8-2/qid=1161842019/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-5530927-5094450?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden
Basically a teflon hotplate with an inverted bowl and a rotating agitator. Almost every kernel pops and you don't have to watch it the way you do stove-top popcorn. Pour in popcorn, pour in a tablespoon or two of oil (I often use chili oil mixed with vegetable, though it can make breathing during the popping process an interesting experience...), walk away and come back when you don't hear popping sounds anymore. Well worth the cash if you go through a lot of popcorn.
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As an alternative to the stove, I absolutely heart the West Bend "Stir Crazy" corn poppers:
http://www.amazon.com/West-Bend-Crazy-Corn-Popper/dp/B0001NH0FY/sr=8-2/qid=1161842019/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-5530927-5094450?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden
Basically a teflon hotplate with an inverted bowl and a rotating agitator. Almost every kernel pops and you don't have to watch it the way you do stove-top popcorn. Pour in popcorn, pour in a tablespoon or two of oil (I often use chili oil mixed with vegetable, though it can make breathing during the popping process an interesting experience...), walk away and come back when you don't hear popping sounds anymore. Well worth the cash if you go through a lot of popcorn.