Secrets of Microwave Popcorn?

[crabapple]

Well, as we all know, unless you have an air popper or some other special machine that pops your corn for you, MICROWAVE POPCORN BAGS are the most convenient way to have freshly popped corn at home. But I swear, I always feel those things never come out as well as they could.

A number of kernels not popping, I can handle. I figure, that's normal. But I usually get A LOT of unpopped kernels, and by the time we get to that point, well, the popcorn in the bag has begun to burn in places, giving me charred corn.

Now I am thinking, this is very consistent with me, these bummer popcorn batches. There must be some tricks people use to optimize the performance of the sacred popcorn bag. There has to be some way of making these stupid things work! I bet some of you here can share your secrets.

So how about it?? We're gonna have a thread on how to make popcorn, 'kay??

[Phalanx]

Forget the micro-crap.
Not really hard to go ahead and make non-microwave popcorn.
You can either add a little olive oil, or a mixture of butter/oil then use a deep pan over moderate heat. Make sure it's one with a lid. "Roll" the pan as you go, making the kernels move in a circular motion to ensure a relatively even heating/no burning. Add any additional butter, salt, or other seasonings at the end, shake, serve. (I personally really like lemon juice, tobasco and pepper, the girl sometimes coats the stuff in nutella)
Alternatively, get a popcorn maker...little plug-in unit. They're fairly cheap to buy, and very quick and easy to use. Either of these take only slightly longer than the microwave stuff, and come out much better.

When you buy microwave popcorn, you're paying for an inferior, overpriced product. The technology isn't yet really perfected, hence the burning, and often disproportionate butter/seasoning covering. EG- For lazy people that settle.
Not sure about those popping pan things you put over the grill...I assume they're a more pre-made version of the pan/pot method anyways.

Either of the aforementioned methods give you a better tasting popcorn, not to mention when you get yourself a big old bag of kernels, it's FAR cheaper.

[The Mothman]

i personally dont think popcorn makes to good of movie food. first of all,i dont think it tastes too great, and second of all, it makes far too much noise!!

[newb]

You can pick up one of these for $200.



female not included

[Phalanx]

Personally I think it's a little over-rated too.
I'll NEVER buy it at the cinemas unless it's incorporated into some kind've deal (A local independant cinema has a good deal...for UNDER the price of a ticket at one of the larger cinemas, you get a ticket, a coke, a little popcorn, and a big mars bar)...what the movie places charge for it is damn near criminal considering actual product cost.
I kind've don't mind the one with hardened caramel and chopped nuts in it...whatever that is.
As for the coloured stuff, it tastes damn near poisonous.

Hey...interesting thing I found out though...dried popcorn kernels will actually grow in damp places. I figured this out a few years back when I spilled a bag of kernels, and one bounced into my bathroom.

[crabapple]

Six weeks later you had a little corn forest growing in there.

[Phalanx]

Nope, but I had a seedling about an inch tall in a corner of the shower within about a week...pretty fast it seems

As for uncooked kernels, they're my favourite part of popcorn...as long as they're at least warm, a little salt and butter. Tasty crunchy~!

[Vodstok]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

Nope, but I had a seedling about an inch tall in a corner of the shower within about a week...pretty fast it seems

As for uncooked kernels, they're my favourite part of popcorn...as long as they're at least warm, a little salt and butter. Tasty crunchy~!

Uncooked popcorn is basically corn seeds, so i am not at all surprised.

Beans and peas (dried) are pretty good for the same thing. Being dried and then growing is their job in nature.

Speaking of popcorn, and this being a horror forum, this is the creepiest fucking thing i have seen in years. is it popcorn, or black magic? You decide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVBGUo2qz-o

[Vodstok]

Originally Posted by urgeok

thanks Mr Wizard :p

No problem.

Did you know "Tuna Fish" is actually a fish?

[newb]

I thought "Chicken of the Sea" was chicken.