Kettle corn on the kitchen countertop

You know the aroma. It beckons as if it were a magical cartoon hand, wafting through the air until it finds its destination: you. There is no choice but to follow the waggling smoke fingers until you find its source: popcorn. But there is something different about this enticing scent. Tinged around the edges is the distinct sense of sugar and salt. And furthermore, this is not an outdoor event; this is your own kitchen.

Bringing kettle corn to the inside, the Nostalgia Electrics KCP100 Carnival Kettle Corn Maker ($49.99) mirrors the magic of the popular treat without the need to navigate the fairway. The countertop appliance features recognizable styling with a kettle capable of producing 10 cups of popcorn per batch. Add oil, kernels, salt, and sugar, and after the "unique dual stirring mechanism" does its duty, pour the finished product into the waiting storage drawer below.

There is no need to stand in line, tortured by the alluring aroma when the popcorn maker is safely available at a moment's notice on top of the kitchen counter. Automatic operation ensures that sweet sugar-coated popcorn is only a button press away. It may not be possible to be caught off guard by the surprising scent (after all, you do know what you are getting into), but with a window that lets you watch the popcorn popping, you can still manage to get mesmerized by the effect.