Lékué foldable popcorn maker: Spanish platinum silicone without oil bags

Engineered in Barcelona from 100% medical-grade platinum silicone, the Lékué microwave popcorn bowl pops 50 to 100 grams of dry corn kernels in 3 minutes using zero oil or chemical-lined paper bags. Measuring 20 cm in diameter when open, the bowl folds down to a flat 6 cm disk for drawer storage and withstands temperatures from -60°C to 220°C.

Supermarket microwave popcorn bags are lined with perfluorinated grease-proofing chemicals and hydrogenated palm oil that leave an artificial yellow film on your fingers. Popping dry kernels in a heavy pot on the stove works well, but leaves you scrubbing burnt oil off the bottom of a saucepan at ten o’clock at night.

Founded in Catalonia in 1980, Lékué worked with Spain’s Alicia Foundation (a culinary research centre started by chef Ferran Adrià) to design a bowl geometry that circulates steam evenly inside a standard microwave. It is one of the smartest space-saving tools in our top European kitchen appliances and accessories guide.

How pure platinum silicone differs from cheap rubber

Cheap silicone bakeware uses peroxide curing agents that smell faintly of plastic when heated and turn white when pinched. Lékué cures its liquid silicone using platinum as a catalyst – the exact same non-reactive material standard used for baby bottle teats and medical tubing.

The 3-minute zero-oil method

1. Pull the bowl open to its 14.5 cm height and pour either 50 g (up to the lower internal ring line) or 100 g (the upper ring line) of plain dry popcorn kernels into the base.
2. Add a single teaspoon of olive oil or butter and a pinch of salt only if you want seasonings to cling, or leave the kernels completely dry.
3. Set the loose suction lid inside the rim (it prevents kernels from flying out while letting excess steam escape so the popcorn stays crisp rather than soggy) and microwave at 800W for 2.5 to 3 minutes.
4. Toss the entire bowl into the dishwasher after eating, then press it flat to 6 cm to slide beside your plates.

Lékué Microwave Popcorn Maker is also available on Amazon.