I Want to Buy a Popcorn Maker

[cschin4]

I want to buy a real old fashioned popcorn maker. They have one on Amazon for $150 with the kettle, etc. I want a real one because I love the taste of popcorn and I just can't get that flavor any other way. I have 3 kids and think it would get alot of use. What do you think? Waste of money? Or, good buy?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I don't know what is meant by "old fashioned" "that flavor," or "real." Have you tried making popcorn in a variety of less expensive ways? I usually make mine in the bottom of an old pressure cooker. It is a thick walled pan and so distributes the heat of the stove flame evenly. I use a universal pan lid and vent the steam as it is popping because steam retained in the pan is supposed to make the popcorn less tender.

I think a big part of the taste of popcorn is the oil you choose. You need an oil with a higher burn temperature. If you try different oils you may find one that makes a pleasing difference to you. I personally would NOT want to use those highly hydrogenated very hard, almost waxy yellow sticks that commercial sellers often use.

Oh, in my pressure cooker, I can even pop the corn oil free. Not large quantities at a time or it will burn, but it does work.

Another thing to consider is whether you have space to deal with one of those big popper machines. After looking on Amazon for what sells for $150. I think that is what you are asking about. Will you have to leave it out? Or will you be able to put it away? Will it be in your way? For me that would be a huge issue. I try not to have many one-job-only kitchen gadgets.

[Snave]

My parents had one when I was a kid growing up and still have it. I bet it is 25 years old now. They have a bar area in the basement and it is set up there. It was great as a kid and is great now for parties, etc... We have had family borrow it for parties/graduations/etc... as well. You can now buy the packs of popcorn pre-made. There is a sleeve of oil and then a sleeve of popcorn with the flavor mixed in. We used to have to measure the oil, corn, flavacol mix and dump it in individually. I would suggest doing it unless I beat you to it and get one for us!

[disneysteve]

For health reasons, I'd have to recommend going with an air popper, not an oil popper. We use this one:
Amazon.com: Presto 04820 PopLite Hot Air Corn Popper: Home & Garden
It works great. We use it all the time. And it is a whole lot cheaper than what you are talking about.

[cschin4]

Thanks Steve! But, I have an AirPopper and it just ain't the same.

[cschin4]

Joan, I would like to hear a little more on making it in your pressure cooker. I have a pressure cooker and would give it a try.

[momof1in150]

We have a Stir Crazy popcorn popper and it makes awesome popcorn. We use canola oil and popcorn. It takes like the movie theatre popcorn.

Amazon.com: West Bend 82306 Stir Crazy 6-Quart Popcorn Popper, Black: Home & Garden

[tmango]

Originally Posted by momof1in150

We have a Stir Crazy popcorn popper and it makes awesome popcorn. We use canola oil and popcorn. It takes like the movie theatre popcorn.

Amazon.com: West Bend 82306 Stir Crazy 6-Quart Popcorn Popper, Black: Home & Garden

love my stir-crazy too. Perfect popcorn everytime.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

There's nothing very special about using the pressure cooker. I don't even use it with its own lid when I make popcorn. I have a "universal lid" a flat bottomed lid from a restaurant supply shop. It fits many different sizes of pans. I use that when I make popcorn because I can lift the lid now and then through the popping to let the steam out, or I can even just leave it ajar a bit to vent. The pressure cooker pan is good because it is heavy, so heats evenly, and the popcorn is very unlikely to scorch. It is also big, so I can make a nice biog batch in it.

[SnoopyCool]

I have been thinking about buying an air popper, so thanks for the info, Steve.

Someone once told me that if you want really good popcorn, you have to use coconut oil. I've never tried it, so - can't vouch for that.

[cschin4]

Joan, what kind of oil? Do you use coconut oil?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I usually just use corn oil, but sometimes "vegetable oil" which I understand is actually soy, or canola oil. Canola has a little lower burn temp though, so I think corn oil is better. Only time I've had coconut oil has been in Thai food. Delicious that way, but I think it would make for odd tasting popcorn. Oh, I have tried olive oil, but it definitely burns at a lower temp and I did not care for the taste on popcorn anyway.

I like to use that really finely ground salt sold as popcorn salt because it sticks to the popcorn.

[glock35ipsc]

Is it kettle corn you are talking about? I LOVE kettle corn.

Here's a though..... but a kettle corn setup, then sell it at fairs, craft shows, car shows, etc. Extra income!