How much does it cost to run a popcorn maker?
A popcorn maker costs about 20¢ per hour, 0.6¢ a day, $0.17 a month and $2 a year at typical use (6 minutes a day, 2 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Hot air poppers draw about 1,000-1,400 W for 2-3 minutes; theater-style kettle machines 800-900 W including the kettle and warming light.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theater-style kettle | 850 | 15¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Hot air popper | 1,100 | 20¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
At 6 minutes a day, 2 days a week and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.31 | 5.7¢ | $1.72 | $21 |
| 2 hours | 0.63 | 11¢ | $3.44 | $41 |
| 4 hours | 1.26 | 23¢ | $6.88 | $83 |
| 8 hours | 2.51 | 45¢ | $13.77 | $165 |
| 12 hours | 3.77 | 68¢ | $20.65 | $248 |
| 24 hours | 7.54 | $1.36 | $41.30 | $496 |
Cost to run a popcorn maker in every state
The same popcorn maker costs $1 a year in North Dakota and $5 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 14¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 14¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 14¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 14¢ | $0.12 | $1 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 15¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 15¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 15¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 15¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 15¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 15¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 15¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 15¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 15¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 16¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 16¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 16¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 16¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 16¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 17¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 17¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 17¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 17¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 17¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 17¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 17¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 17¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 18¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 18¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 18¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 18¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 18¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 19¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 20¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 20¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 21¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 21¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 23¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 23¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 23¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 26¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 26¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 27¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 29¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 30¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 31¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 31¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 32¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 32¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 33¢ | $0.29 | $3 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 36¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 48¢ | $0.42 | $5 |
How to cut the cost
- Pop full batches rather than several small ones.
- Turn off the warming deck light on cart machines once the batch is done.
- Microwave popcorn in a paper bag uses similar energy for small amounts.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Pops a bowl in 2-3 minutes in the microwave with no extra appliance.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Popcorn maker | 1,100 | 6 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.17 | $2 |
| Microwave | 1,200 | 15 minutes a day | $1.90 | $23 |
| Air fryer | 1,500 | 24 minutes a day | $1.97 | $24 |
| Indoor electric grill | 1,200 | 18 minutes a day, 2 days a week | $0.34 | $4 |
| Hot plate | 1,000 | 45 minutes a day | $2.46 | $30 |
| Instant Pot | 1,000 | 45 minutes a day, 3 days a week | $0.83 | $10 |
| Drip coffee maker | 1,000 | 30 minutes a day | $1.22 | $15 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a popcorn maker per hour?
A popcorn maker drawing 1,100 watts uses 1.10 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 20¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 14¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 48¢.
How much does it cost to run a popcorn maker per month?
At typical use (6 minutes a day, 2 days a week), a popcorn maker costs about $0.17 a month and $2 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a popcorn maker use?
Most popcorn makers use 850 to 1,400 watts, depending on the setting (theater-style kettle 850 W, hot air popper 1,100 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a popcorn maker use?
About 0.03 kWh a day and 11 kWh a year at typical use (6 minutes a day, 2 days a week).
Does a popcorn maker use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 11 kWh a year it's a small share (0.1%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a popcorn maker or a microwave?
At typical use, a popcorn maker costs about $2 a year versus $23 for a microwave. So the popcorn maker is cheaper by about $21 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a popcorn maker?
- Pop full batches rather than several small ones.
- Turn off the warming deck light on cart machines once the batch is done.
- Microwave popcorn in a paper bag uses similar energy for small amounts.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.