Popping Popcorn
- From the U.S. Popcorn Board -

Storage Tips
Tips about Poppers

   Some of our popcorn with smaller kernels, like Mixed Baby Rice and Turquoise, may not pop well in air poppers.  The kernels are light and tend to fly out before they pop.  You can try tilting the popper on it's side til you build up a "head" to keep the kernels in, or use other methods, like popping it on the stove.

    Some of our customers love popcorn poppers that work in a microwave, others like air poppers and some like it done on top of the stove.  Below is a method for cooking it on top of the stove in a pan.  Popcorn Poppers is a link to an Amazon.com web page showing different popcorn poppers you can buy.   Also, there is more info at the bottom of this page. 

On top of the Stove:

   You need a pan with a lid, some oil and your popcorn. Salting kernels toughens popcorn. So, salt the popcorn after it has been popped, or skip salt altogether and add salt-free spices such as garlic powder or cayenne pepper.

• a 3- to 4-quart pan with a loose lid that allows steam to escape

• at least enough popcorn to cover the bottom of the pan, one kernel deep

• 1/3 cup of oil for every cup of kernels (Don't use butter!)

   Heat the oil to 400 - 460 degrees Fahrenheit (if the oil smokes, it is too hot). Test the oil on a couple of kernels. When they pop, add the rest of the popcorn, cover the pan and shake to evenly spread the oil. When the popping begins to slow, remove the pan from the stove-top. The heated oil will still pop the remaining kernels.   (Some people like to put their popcorn in a brown paper bag after popping,)

   Without moisture -- 13.5 percent to 14 percent per kernel is needed -- popcorn can't pop. That's why it's important to store popcorn correctly. An entire percentage of moisture can be lost if your kernels are left uncovered on a hot day. And though that may not sound like a lot, it adds up. A loss of 3 percent can render popcorn unpoppable. And even a 1 percent drop in moisture will harm the quality of your kernels.   That's why our retail bags are airtight, unlike other retail bags.  After you open one of our bags, place the remainer in a glass jar.

   So what's the best way to store popcorn? Airtight containers -- plastic or glass -- are your best bet to avoid moisture loss, especially when stored in a cool place like a cupboard. Avoid the refrigerator. Some say the cold storage makes the popcorn taste better, but many refrigerators contain little moisture and can dry out the popcorn.

   Choose poppers that have undergone scientific laboratory testing and have proved to do the best popping job, producing maximum popcorn volume and minimal waste.

   If children will be operating the popper, in addition to the general safety rules, look for:

• Easy-to-follow instructions; and

• A popper that is not too heavy for a child to maneuver.

• Oil line for easy measuring;

• Dishwasher-safe covers;

• Easy-to-clean surfaces; and

• Signal light.

   Check the design of the popper. It should provide for the escape of steam during the popping cycle. This prevents the popcorn from becoming soggy and also reduces the chance of spattering the operator when the cover is removed. Steam-escape features vary in design from popper to popper. Many include small vents or indentations around the cover; some are designed so that the cover fits into a ridge around the popper base with sufficient clearance for steam to escape. Make it a point to look for this feature.

   Before you buy, it is important that you know whether or not an electric popper is automatic or non-automatic. An automatic popper is one that contains a thermostat that automatically shuts off the heating element at the end of the popping cycle. A non-automatic popper requires you to watch more closely to prevent burning the popcorn once the cycle is complete. These poppers must be promptly disconnected. Be sure to check the label for this information.