The popper I got could only be assembled using all my strength. Once together, the lid would not stay down. The agitating bar just pushed all the kernels the edge of the pan. The gears didn't mesh and popped apart. More than just defective, the popper I got was a pile of junk.If only the competitor Whirley-Pop was not aluminum, I would continue to use it happily. Mine worked great for years. Sadly, Aluminum scars my radiant stovetop, so I'm out of luck.