well I opened the package and place little corn on the bottom and followed instructions. And wow it worked fine. I put 2 minutes and it came perfect. The ones I used in the past were in bags and they burned all the time, but this product cooked the corn perfectly. No more burn smell added to my pop corn. I did not added salt or butter cause that was optional and I prefer to add it later on separate bowl for easier cleaning. Plus I prefer healthy corn . No salt no butter. I also liked the fact that is really collapsible for storage. My sister has a microwave popcorn maker, but hers is hard and I always wanted and need it a microwave one , but not anymore, and sorry sis but now mine is better than yours..have to tell my sis about this wonderful product. TYVM.