Popcorn makers

[JcMack]

When I was married (yuk) 30 yrs. ago, another couple down the street, me an the wife (yuk) and all the kids would go to the drive in once and a while. We'd take both cars, park next to each other, swap wives, etc.. I was the popcorn guy. I had a stir crazy popcorn maker and could make enough popcorn for 2 families (6 people) for about $2 and had plenty left. Even the cheapest popcorn worked great, tasted better than what you got from drive in stand, certainly cheaper. I tried to recreate the popcorn thing a while back. Has popcorn changed? As in, I had a really bad, chewy experience with popcorn (3 kinds) I bought. This matter is of REAL importance to me. PLEASE, tell me your experience.

 

[sipowicz]

We'd take both cars, park next to each other, swap wives, etc..

Sorry, but at this point I lost interest in the popcorn....

 

[David LaPell]

My wife and I (sorry she wouldn't take to kindly to me swapping her around) were given an older air popper and with even the generic store bought popcorn it tastes so much better than any of the microwave stuff. I would say give that a try.

 

[sipowicz]

I have not found a microwave popcorn that doesn't' burn the corn if I leave it on long enough to pop all the kernels...so most times, I get about half a bag...I would say an air popper is the way to go...although, Jiffy pop is pretty good....and of course, you can do the old fashioned oil in a pot and shake thing...

 

[JcMack]

I have not found a microwave popcorn that doesn't' burn the corn if I leave it on long enough to pop all the kernels...so most times, I get about half a bag...I would say an air popper is the way to go...although, Jiffy pop is pretty good....and of course, you can do the old fashioned oil in a pot and shake thing...

Don't use the microwave bag stuff. There's real problems with health issues. I buy the bulk bags and use oil n popper or pot. Bulk bags are no longer up to my standards.

 

[Rule3]

You Sir need a Whirley Pop (Stainless Steel only)
The air pop is good also.

As mentioned the original heavy pot on stove is hard to beat. Popcorn does go bad so you need fresh and need to let the steam out while popping.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I know what you mean about popcorn. About once every couple of months I get a hankerin' for movie popcorn. I'll pick the least objectionable movie to go see, get a bucket of corn and a diet coke and that's dinner and entertainment. I am a man of simple tastes
My wife is invited but she has to get her own popcorn

 

[Indiana George]

At 8 years old, quality didn't matter . . . just the fun factor!

 

[JcMack]

At 8 years old, quality didn't matter . . . just the fun factor!

I have one of those hanging over all my doors. They's fire alarms ain't they?

 

[LTC]

Jolly Time in a hot air popper from W-mart. Add enough butter and salt to make your forehead bead up with sweat.

LTC

 

[Wayne02]

Started out with hot air popper but didn't like the 4 or 5 unpopped corn it would spit out into the bowl which I would then bust my teefh on.

Went to the whirley pop which makes much better tasting popcorn in my opinion, no uncooked kernels, and all the popcorn is contained.

However, the lid of the whirley pop is not supposed to be put in the dishwasher because of the wooden handles/knobs, and it makes a heck of a mess in the pot and underside of the lid each time you use it. So that lasted 4 weeks and we are back to the air popper. Someday I'll machine a new handle and knobs out of SS or other material and all will be well in the popcorn world.

We use the costco popcorn as it tastes fine and I use the containers for storing my brass.

 

[ko41]

No microwave or hot air popped stuff for me. I like the full experience of Coconut oil, Buttery flavored popcorn salt and Buttery Topping.
For convenience I buy a case at a time of pre measured packets of coconut oil, popcorn and salt for my popcorn maker.
Preheat the oil to 400-460 degrees add the popcorn and salt to the oil.
For popcorn that is crisp and not chewy/squeaky the lid of the popper needs to let the steam escape.
Also, the popped popcorn needs to "rest" awhile before eating for more of the moisture to evaporate.

KO

 

[JcMack]

I had a Whirley pop. Not too bad. The bare aluminum however was tough to clean. After a second use, without cleaning, the oil was a cooked on mess. Plus a lot of boring repetitive work cranking that handle. Several times I got hypnotized by the circular motion and fell over. I do appreciate any and all suggestions, Thankyou, Jim

 

[cowboy117]

Several times I got hypnotized by the circular motion and fell over.

Been there,done that!

 

[Maddog 521]

It's the coconut oil that is the secret. Of course the government says it is not good for you to eat.

 

[Rule3]

I had a Whirley pop. Not too bad. The bare aluminum however was tough to clean. After a second use, without cleaning, the oil was a cooked on mess. Plus a lot of boring repetitive work cranking that handle. Several times I got hypnotized by the circular motion and fell over. I do appreciate any and all suggestions, Thankyou, Jim

Geeze, some peoples kids just do not listen. Stainless Steel my man Stainless.

A stainless steel pot with lid works as well or better. That's how Mom made it way back when.

 

[JcMack]

Ya know..Yer freakin me out. I just had a flashback to mom making popcorn in such a pot. It had a lid with a steam release thing about a 1/2" in diameter that popped up and down while she made the popcorn. I haven't thought of that in 50 years. YOU ARE DA DEBEL!!!!

 

[mstuhr]

Crisp crust pzza pan

Howdy,
I have a heavy aluminum bottom from an old pressure cooker and I cover it with a round pizza pan that is full of round holes that are supposed to make pizza crust crisp. It makes the whole house smell good.
Makes better popcorn than pizza.
I also like the flavor olive oils gives popcorn but a lot of the folks who try it don't like it.
Thanks
Mike

 

[LHS]

Originally Posted by JcMack
We'd take both cars, park next to each other, swap wives, etc..

Sorry, but at this point I lost interest in the popcorn....

I just spit my popcorn all over my desk!

 

[ko41]

I had a Whirley pop. Not too bad. The bare aluminum however was tough to clean. After a second use, without cleaning, the oil was a cooked on mess. Plus a lot of boring repetitive work cranking that handle. Several times I got hypnotized by the circular motion and fell over. I do appreciate any and all suggestions, Thankyou, Jim

It's the coconut oit that is the secret. Of course the government says it is not good for you to eat.

Along with making great popcorn, coconut oil also will not give you that cooked on mess that vegetable oil does. Coconut oil will wipe off with a damp cloth.

KO