Perfect popcorn

[adorshki]

I remember as a kid trying to use those and they never seemed to pop right.

Proper temp was critical. Impossible on campfire and dodgy at best on home stovetops of the '60's. And you really did have to keep shaking it which almost nobody did since it was delegated to the kids.
Once you smelled the char you knew it was ready.

 

[adorshki]

An anti-popcornite, eh?

Hey! We tolerate all kinds around here. And I'm proof.

While we are on the subject, why isn't it called "popped corn"?

Ask the injuns. They invented the stuff.

 

[GGJaguar]

While we are on the subject, why isn't it called "popped corn"?

Wikipedia says popped corn, popcorns or pop-corn are also correct. But popcorn is just easier to say.

 

[MartyG]

I have always loved popcorn, and got the bright idea to restore an old Cretors wagon - thinking it would be fun in retirement. I found a decent reproduction, and although it remained a dream until I sold it to someone even more resourceful than I, it's still a fun thing to think about. I even dragged my wife to the Wyandot Popcorn Museum in Ohio where they have all sorts of cool things to be inspired by:

Popcorn Museum

Here is my wagon, minus the Cretors popping mechanism that I had already taken out. Maybe someday...

 

[Guildedagain]

I like Kettle Corn from old fashioned fairs.

 

[GGJaguar]

I like Kettle Corn from old fashioned fairs.

Yes, especially when you get it right out of the kettle! Nothing better!

 

[davismanLV]

My favorite is the ones at the bottom that have only JUST barely started to pop!! All crunchy and good!!

 

[Brad Little]

my favorite popcorn maker is the whirley pop. They make a few different ones, I just use the basic aluminum, although the stainless steel model is tempting.

 

[adorshki]

Part of my problem with popcorn was I developed a taste for the hard stuff.

Remember when they used to press it into bars about the size of ice cream sandwiches and sold 'em in movie theaters?

That was the best. I was finally able to kick the habit when the stuff was banned by the FDA. Small dose loose-pack only these days. Not aware of any bootleg sources, checked a couple of times. (For a friend, of course. And it was at least a couple of weeks ago).

 

[davidbeinct]

my favorite popcorn maker is the whirley pop. They make a few different ones, I just use the basic aluminum, although the stainless steel model is tempting.

I have a whirley pop but I use it to roast coffee.

 

[Rich Cohen]

Not leaving kernals and not burning popcorn is just a matter of paying attention while it's cooking.

Coconut oil on the bottom of the pan, add some salt if you'd like, wait until two starter kernals pop, cover the bottom with one layer of kernels, cover the pot, wait until the noise slows down to a kernal per second or so. Perfect every time.

Same with a grilled cheese - pay attention while it's cooking and it will always be perfect.

Gary, I sensed you are a perfectionist!

 

[Guildedagain]

Grilled cheese is almost a daily occurrence around here.

Lately for elevensies, I start two cast iron pans, one a minute before the other, throw 2 slices of Beeler's ham & 2 eggs in one pan, then start the other pan, place 2 slices of buttered Naked White, place two slices of Grazier's Raw Sharp white on the bread, turn the ham/eggs off, place the ham/egg on the cheese, by this time the bread is brown, flip the sandwiches onto buttered bread, turn the pan off and lid it, but not tight, the residual heat in the pan with toast the other side and serve, total time, about 5 minutes.

 

[HeyMikey]

“Lately for elevensies,…”

Are you a Hobbit?