My Mom and Dad bought a Stir Crazy popcorn maker when they very first came out on the market. The first one they had worked without fail for 15 or more years. We used it about twice a week. They are on their third popper now (about 30 years later) and even though there are the only ones using it still use it about twice a week or more. This popcorn maker is the best popper out there. I am planning to get my own soon. The only thing that I do not like about this machine is like everyone else the newer machines do not seem to last as long as the original poppers. The heating element seems to die very easily. Because the popcorn produced is wonderful the problems with this machine can be over looked.