A heated air popcorn popper and related methods of popping popcorn in whichunpoppedkernels arc retained in a heating zone and are prevented from being expelledbefore they havebeen exposed to a heated air stream for sufficient time to result in poppingof the kernels. Thepopcorn popper can have a popping portion including a retention mechanismcapable of movingin response to physical contact with popped kernels that experience a dramaticvolumetricincrease in size following popping. As the number of popped kernels within thepopping portionincreases, the level of the popped kernels rises until they physically contactthe retentionmechanism, whereby the retention mechanism is forced to transition from acovering dispositionto an open disposition in which popped kernels are allowed to exit the heatingzone.
