This is my second one of these. It makes great popcorn. My first one worked well until a plastic tooth on the hot plate came apart. Still we were so happy with the product we bought the second one.
Trying this one to replace a West Bend Stir Crazy that had begun to leave many unpopped kernels and to leak too much oil. This one can leak too so follow the instructions to use no more than a tablespoon of oil. I prefer olive oil but the instructions say no, switch to a higher temp oil like canola. The Cuisinart seems to get hotter so be sure to remove the popcorn when popping stops or you'll get some burning, i.e. don't leave it unattended. It does pop almost every kernel every time (so far)! The removable and washable popping base is a real plus as is the very sturdy clear plastic bowl. Overall, the Cuisinart seems well made. I hope it will last me a while as I use it almost every day!
I bought this about 6 months ago and it's working like a charm! Based on reviews, and past experience with an older model, I remove the top carefully and am sure everything is lined up when I re-insert. That way the plastic parts seem to last a long time. Easy cleaning of everything (except the base) in the dishwasher--another great feature.