Best popcorn poppers according to redditors
We found 361 Reddit comments discussing the best popcorn poppers. We ranked the 88 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 361 Reddit comments discussing the best popcorn poppers. We ranked the 88 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
Ok so this is ridiculous but my mother bought one of these in the 80's. A microwave popcorn bowl it just uses bulk popcorn. We never used the microwave bags.
I don't understand why but whenever one of my friends sees it for the first time they think it is amazing.
http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Microwaver-Popcorn-Popper/dp/B00004W4UP
That flavoured salt is flavacol.
I've seen it sold locally under a generic name in bulk food stores. You can also probably buy it at any party supply store that rents popcorn makers. And of course it's available wherever fine internet is present.
The consensus seems to be that flavacol, coconut oil, and a premium popcorn kernel (eg. Orville Redenbacher), cooked in a whirley pop or similar, will get you as close as possible to theatre popcorn at home.
Well, there are a lot of ways to do it, depending on your budget. It's pretty simple if you buy the right equipment, but "the right equipment" is expensive and improvising is fiddly.
I'd recommend looking this site over some, they have a lot of introductory guides and such. /r/roasting is also an awesome sub in general.
The biggest issue with home roasting is that the beans need to move continuously, for the entire roast, or else they get burned. There are some ways to do this with improvised equipment though:
-Using an air (popcorn) popper. Assuming you have the right model, it does get hot enough to roast coffee, and the beans are light enough to blow around in the interior chamber nonstop. It gets pretty messy though, and you don't have much control. You also can't do huge batches of coffee all at once.
You should have a dedicated popper just for coffee, since you don't want the different oils mixing. Also, some poppers aren't powerful enough, and many modern ones have safety features that'll automatically shut off before it gets hot enough. Some people have fun with disabling those features and/or modding their poppers to give them more control.
"The Poppery II" is a commonly-suggested model for air roasting like this. They don't make them anymore, but they were made like tanks and so you can often find them in thrift stores.
This is a good, cheap, intro way to do it, though the lack of control is annoying. The flavor develops in part based on how long it's kept at each temperature point, and an air popper gives you very few options for adjusting temperature.
Alternatively,
-Using a stovetop popcorn roaster, like this. It has a handle that allows you to stir the coffee continuously, and it can work pretty well. The main drawback is monitoring/nailing the temperature, which is tricky. It's easier with a gas stove.
There are other methods as well, like using a heat gun, but I've never tried them and can't comment. I should also point out that everything I've just explained is a fire hazard, as is coffee roasting in general - the beans need to get quite hot, and they give off a thin, paperlike substance called chaff. I've never had a fire, but it's something you need to be aware of and plan for accordingly.
-If all of that sounds like too much of a hassle, you can just buy an actual coffee roaster. They make it way easier, and you can generally roast much larger batches at once. Sadly, they tend to be pretty expensive.
I'd recommend this one, which is actually on the very inexpensive end for a roaster. It's good quality though, and I've had one for over 1.5 years now without issue. Also note that the site I linked includes 8 pounds of free coffee when you buy from them, and (at least when I bought mine) they charge the same price for the unit as everyone else. So that's nice.
I really like roasting my own coffee. It can be a pain at times, but it means I always have fresh-roasted coffee available. Unless you buy from a local roaster, you've probably never had fresh coffee before. Whole bean coffee goes stale in like a week, and grocery store coffee is much older than a week. Pre-ground coffee goes stale in like minutes or hours.
They cover the stale taste up by burning the shit out of their beans, and so almost everything you see in a grocery store is only 1-2 stages removed from being charcoal. This page shows you what the beans look like at every stage, and you can see how "french roast" actually means "burnt to hell."
Man, long post! At any rate, roasting your own coffee can be quite nice. Green coffee beans run around $4-6/pound normally and you can sometimes find it for even cheaper. At least where I live, even burnt grocery store coffee is often much more expensive than that. So you're paying less for better quality -- as long as you don't mind improvising, or a big up-front investment.
Edited tl;dr: It's a good way to save money and get better coffee, though it can be either annoying or require a big upfront investment. This page has a lot of good introductory info on the whole process.
Absolutely. Buy popcorn kernels in bulk. It's so cheap. Buy a microwave popcorn popper bowl thingamabob like this.
1/3 cup popcorn - no butter - 2 minutes
1/3 cup popcorn - 1 tbsp butter - 2:10
Top with nutritional yeast and maybe a bit of hot sauce.
Yum!
Copy/pasting my comment from another thread:
----------
This is what I use at home:
Indistinguishable from movie theater popcorn.
The popper isn't terribly cheap, but it's worth it if you make a lot of popcorn. The popper isn't really the most important part, though. The oil and salt are what makes the theater popcorn so damned good.
We use this air popper and bulk Amish kernels. No oil, and the resulting popcorn is fantastic.
http://www.amazon.com/Presto-04820-PopLite-Popper-White/dp/B00006IUWA
Highly recommended if you enjoy popcorn.
$20
http://www.amazon.com/Presto-04820-PopLite-Popper-White/dp/B00006IUWA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395009059&sr=8-1&keywords=air+popper
Don't cut open a can. That shit's sharp.
Don't even need one! Original Salbree Microwave Popcorn Popper, Silicone Popcorn Maker, Collapsible Bowl BPA Free - 18 Colors Available (Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G7SGOL2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jrG2Db4CB827E
And for those that think that would be too hard, get a whirley popper. Crazy easy and almost as quick as mircowave popcorn (at least on my gas range).
Silicone popcorn bowls are great and less wasteful
https://www.amazon.com/Original-HOTPOP-Microwave-Collapsible-Dishwasher/dp/B01N2RZ5O6
If you want the best tasting popcorn, get yourself a Whirly Pop
Just pour in a little bit of oil, some popcorn, and a good amount of salt, and you will have the best tasting popcorn.
What are you using to roast them?
I ask because I've been roasting beans with popcorn poppers for years. I get a very even roast, and I kinda spoil visitors.
Hey, I love popcorn, it's awesome. Maybe you love it too? Got a stove? If you do, get yoself one of these - http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-25008-Whirley-Pop/dp/B00004SU35
If you put it on medium high (electric stove), put in the oil and add three kernels, wait for them to pop then dump the rest of the kernels in, you will have popcorn that pops nearly all of the kernels. The Orville Redenbacher kernels pop the best IMO (I was buying bulk from sprouts, but they weren't popping as well). Also, get this - http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Medal-Prod-Flavacol-Seasoning/dp/B004W8LT10. You now can make movie theater style popcorn in less than five minutes.
Enjoy!
This model seems pretty nice, thank god for prime shipping!
Yup I have a similar collapsible one. It's soo good. I throw some butter and salt with some kernels and 2 mins later perfect movie style popcorn.
Original Salbree Microwave Popcorn Popper, Silicone Popcorn Maker, Collapsible Bowl BPA Free - 15 Colors Available (Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G7SGOL2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sw2HDbGQHASA6
Try this!! http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-25008-Whirley-Pop/dp/B00004SU35
I posted this in your LPT thread, I think it is worth reading so here.
A few years back, and even some today, I set out to find out how to make popcorn like at the movie theaters. Alton's recipe does not sound terrible and uses items most people will have on hand. However to make it better (read: more like movie theater popcorn) You will need to buy a few items for this.
All total the items are under $40 (excluding popcorn) and all but the coconut oil will last a long time. Flavacol is a must have for this to work. I have not been able to find it locally near me. the 35oz carton will last you just about forever.
The coconut oil is a bit on the messy side just because of the container, you can get different amounts which will come in a different container. I have noticed some differences in taste of some coconut oils and the one linked is the brand I am currently using.(note: Coconut oil solidifies at about 76F)
If you are just toying with the idea of better popcorn, try Alton's method of popping. It cuts the total price in half and for a test run\proof of concept it should work. I have tested several poppers and settled with the whirley pop or similar design. Some outdoors shops sell these but charges about $10 more for them. Note: Yes it has a turn handle, but the gears are made of plastic, so do not hulk smash it.
As for popcorn, not all popcorn is created equal. The artisan fancy colored stuff generally does not pop well in my experience. I have experimented with many different kinds and have mostly settled with Orville Redenbacher. This can be purchased off the shelf at most grocery stores or from Amazon. You can try others to find one you like better.
**
As a note
I do not have a set amount for any 1 ingredient. I just eyeball it, maybe one of these days I will get this down to a science with numbers and such. When starting out follow Alton's recipe but substitute the above items in it.
Buy a whirley pop, cheap and works great.
http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-25008-Whirley-Pop/dp/B00004SU35
I have a special bowl for microwaved popcorn. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004W4UP/
Creates no garbage by using it. (Not sure about any packaging it comes in. Sorry.) Then you can use just plain popcorn seeds in it.
I love snacking on fresh cherries because they take a little while to eat. Also Enlightened ice cream, popcorn (this thing is fantastic!), baby carrots, beef jerky and pickles.
You can do it on the stove in a pot but that can burn easily.
I have this which is an oil free microwave popcorn bowl. Highly recommend it! I snack on popcorn all the time and a $3 1lb bag will last me a week.
You need to buy one of these, my friend. It make popcorn that's better than movie theater popcorn and you can play around with using different oils to give your popcorn different flavors.
Whirley-Pop all the way! It has a thin aluminum bottom that distributes heat evenly but doesn't retain heat so that as soon as it's done popping, you can take it off heat and the popcorn on the bottom won't burn. The swirling arms also make sure that you get pretty much 100% poppage and that everything pops at the same time. It's amazing because normally in a pot or a wok, there's a gap of maybe a minute or so between when the first kernel pops and the last one does. With the whirley-pop, it all shoots off at once. Like, a five second interval start to finish. It also makes distributing melted butter very easy.
Pro-tip: clarify your butter. The water content is what will turn popcorn soggy.
I buy bay leaves, yeast, and an assortment of dried chilies in bulk and freeze. They are always in my freezer.
Then get the right pot.
I'm personally a fan of the Whirley Pop since it goes right on the stove, and you can control the heat more directly. I've never tried this one though, so it might work too. Only thing I would be concerned about would be if you wanted to make kettle corn. Not sure how well this would work with that. Maybe some other people can share their experience
In the last place I lived, my roommate had one of those stovetop popcorn things. It's amazing. Throw some popcorn kernels in, pour in just enough canola oil to lightly coat (I mean lightly). When it starts to pop, turn the handle. When the popping slows down and starts to stop, pour it into a bowl. I used melted butter and white cheddar seasoning. Probably not the most healthy way, but it's delicious.
I recently purchased one of these
Microwave Popcorn Popper
I cook it without any oil and just put butter on afterwards and it works just fine. 3 T of unpopped popcorn (120 Cal) and 1 T melted butter (100 Cal) and you have a solid 220 Calorie snack. I generally like just salt, pepper and butter on top. I tried some of those cheese seasoning shakers that you can buy at the store but all of them taste terrible.
I got an this air popper from amazon. Its $20, doesn't need any oil and is idiot-proof. Literally just put in the kernels, plug it in and you'll get perfect popcorn (no burning, virtually no kernels un-popped)
BUY AN AIR POPPER!!!
I can't recommend this highly enough. It's nothing short of amazing. Fast, easy, no clean-up, no oil, no un-popped kernels, and so so cheap. I bought like 5 pounds of kernels for about $3. That will make like 50 big bowls of popcorn.
http://smile.amazon.com/Presto-04820-PopLite-Hot-Popper/dp/B00006IUWA
that's the one I got
The popcorn one can be done slightly better if you get a popcorn maker. That way you don't have to buy paper bags or anything, you just put the bowl under the machine and the popcorn flies out when finished.
Yeah, I don't use the microwave stuff at home either, I use a Stir Crazy, it drips a little butter on gradually through out the process so no popcorn is sitting in a pool of goo.
The "theater style" microwave popcorn is just a regular bag of corn with 500% more butter-flavored oil added.
Whirlypop is great for the stove https://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-Stovetop-Popcorn/dp/B00004SU35. I just use vegetable oil with some flavacol. I should probably try a healthier oil though..
you need to get a whirley-pop.
I make kettle corn all the time and this allows me to not need to take the pan off of the burner and it coats evenly every time.
Microwave corn sucks and it has some really weird chemicals in it. Recommend that you switch to this and control what you eat....save some $$$ too...
http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-25008-Whirley-Pop/dp/B00004SU35
Alternatively http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004W4UP/ref=cm_sw_r_an_am_at_ws_us?ie=UTF8
For the sweet tooth (like my dad, these are all things he likes):
For the executive (like my mom, these are all things she likes):
Air popped popcorn! If you don't add any butter or oil, then it's only 120 calories for 3 tbs unpopped (which makes approx. 7 cups popped)!
Now, I don't have an air popper. I actually use a microwave popcorn bowl [like this] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005IBXK?ie=UTF8&at=&force-full-site=1&ref_=aw_bottom_links). It has a little paper concentrator at the bottom that magically pops the dry popcorn without scorching it (usually). You can use oil with it if you'd like, I just don't usually.
Also, seaweed chips are really low in calories. One serving is roughly 30 calories, but I'll usually eat two since that's how many there are in the package.
Not OP but I will give you a couple of mine
Boiled potatoes
Popcorn - My wife bought this. Then she puts coconut oil and TJ vegan butter on it. I've never cared for pop corn until she started making it like that.
Chips and salsa and/or hummus - I like to do a chip in spicy salsa then the next chip in hummus for the compliment.
Chips and Guac - if making guac isnt considered cooking
Pasta and marinara
Trader Joe's Spring Rolls - Just bake
They make electric popcorn poppers, called air poppers. Like this one
If price is the biggest factor, and he doesn't mind a hands-on approach, buy green beans + a popcorn popper and have him roast his own beans. It's a very easy way to roast and will taste better than Starbucks beans with a little effort. It also comes out to about ~$6/lb of coffee after you buy the popper.
Other options roasted beans:
Keep in mind that different blends/origins will affect price of the beans. If you need help with suggestions, feel free to ask!
Popcorn Popper.
http://www.amazon.com/Presto-04820-PopLite-Popper-White/dp/B00006IUWA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369064655&sr=8-1&keywords=popcorn+popper
Roasts by the 1/2-cup and great for learning. Run it with beans for about 5-8 minutes at a time, and make sure you listen for the cracks.
It's not as large or fancy as the other suggestions in the thread, but it's also not $300.
EDIT: It's also really simple to repair and modify. I've taken out the temperature governor and installed a thermometer.
Do you have a microwave? You need this.
Thanks! I was having trouble sleeping and my thoughts were kind of jumbled.
I forgot to mention, if you don't have a traditional kettle popper, a whirlypop-style stovetop popper makes great popcorn. This is also the best choice if it's for only you or for a small group because the kettle style are a pain to clean.
There are lots of knockoff whirlypops but I've heard the the crank/gearing on some are very cheap and break after not too long. I think even whirlypop had QC issues for awhile. There are some good copycat brands, though.
Find the right heat/gas setting on your stove through trial and error and always stick to it for a consistent result. Also, you will get the best result with slow, even stirring as opposed to fast, occasional stirring. Anyway, once the test kernel pops it only takes a few minutes to pop a batch, so you're not handcuffed to the popper for very long.
It's a stovetop popcorn cooker.
I never liked air popped corn - it's too dry, and microwaved popcorn is even worse. Others have mentioned using coconut oil and flavacol salt for the true movie theater popcorn taste. I just bought everyone in my fam a Great Northern Stovetop popper, plus Flavacol and Coconut oil and a giant bottle of popcorn. Doesn't just taste like movie popcorn, it IS movie popcorn.
I do air-popped popcorn (in a silicon bowl like this one)
This. The amount of popcorn I eat now is incredible. Gloriously incredible.
The Stir Crazy pops some pretty tasty corn.
Butter microwave popcorn smells like sweatsocks/gymlocker to me for some reason.
​
I can make real popcorn with a WhirlyPop just as fast as microwave.
If you're going to make popcorn, do it right.
cheapest
something i really want
Secrets to theatre style popcorn:
get a whirley pop & it won't be.
Get a stovetop popper for about $20 and find real popcorn salt.
I also have a $500 Sam's Club popper but this is easier, less cleaning, and faster. The downside to the $20 popper is that it isn't quite as good, maybe 8/10 instead of 10/10, and you have to turn it manually.
Edit-also day old popcorn is better and what you get a lot of the time in a theater.
Tell me about yours. We eat a lot of popcorn. We use the whirley pop popper.
https://smile.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-Whirley-Pop-Stovetop/dp/B00004SU35/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501115995&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=whirley+pop+popcorn+popper&psc=1
I can't say I have ever heard of someone popping popcorn in the oven.
Next time get some paper bags for the kernels in the microwave, use a pot and some oil on the stove, or pick yourself up a whirley pop, or something similar.
i like the whirley-pop it is quick and simple. no nonstick anything, and the popcorn tastes much better than air pop or microwave. and its cheap!
it looks like this
If you're looking to re-create theatre-style popcorn, then a spice/salt you're looking for Flavacol! My go-to recipe is a heaping tablespoon of coconut oil, a half-cup of popcorn kernels, and a teaspoon of Flavacol, all put in a Whirley Pop over medium-high heat. Three minutes later, you've got a pot full of popcorn!
I bought one of these back in 2015: https://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Microwave-Popcorn-Popper/dp/B00004W4UP/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_79_lp_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=034JDF1DJ8EV58Z5HHW9&th=1
And I use the bulk popcorn in a bag from Trader Joe's and it cooks amazing, no oil or butter or fat needed.
The Nordic Ware microwave Popcorn popper, and Flavacol is what we use. Excellent results every time, and SO easy.
I bought a microwave popcorn bowl; you just put the kernels in (with or without oil) and pop it in the microwave. It's lasted for at least five years now. This is the one I have, but I bought it at Walmart:
http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-60120-Microwaver-Popcorn/dp/B00004W4UP
If you make much popcorn at all get a popcorn machine. They are small, you save money as popcorn kernels are ridiculously cheap, and it tastes way better.
http://www.amazon.com/Presto-04820-PopLite-Popper-White/dp/B00006IUWA/ref=lp_1090764_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1406771454&sr=1-1
I think you need to make your own popcorn with a popcorn popper. Imagine the warm, buttery, salty goodness of fresh popped popcorn 😀
http://www.amazon.com/Presto-04820-PopLite-Popper-White/dp/B00006IUWA
Way cheaper and healthier, too.
Roasting your own coffee can give you better coffee for less money, and also providing a fresher cup and let you tune the roast to your preference.
It only takes about ten minutes once or twice a week to roast, and it means you never have to suffer stale coffee. As an added bonus, green beans are usually about half the price of roasted.
Sourcing Beans
Start with a Sweet Maria's sampler pack. It works out to $5/lb before shipping, and if you're in the Bay Area, you can swing by and pick up the beans when you're in the neighborhood. I like the sampler, and usually buy one or two a year for home consumption though that varies depending on whether I'm living near a good café or working from home.
There are probably other sources for green beans, but basically the consensus among people I've talked to is that for home roasters, you can't beat Sweet Maria's for either quality or price.
Storing Green Beans
Keep the beans somewhere out of direct sunlight and away from heat and they'll be fine in a cupboard or drawer somewhere for at least a year. Unlike roasted coffee, they don't need any special treatment. No airtight containers, freezing, or refrigeration, just don't keep 'em above the stove or anything like that.
The Roaster
Go get yourself one of those air popcorn poppers from the 80s. You know the kind. You can find them at garage sales for $2 sometimes. You probably already have one in your cupboard way at the back behind the food processor or in that box of kitchen stuff you never unpacked. Go find it.
Roasting the Beans
Now that you've got the popper, fill the scoop with the green beans you've got as if they were popcorn, and dump them into the main chamber. Place the popcorn popper on your counter so that it points into the sink, and plug it in. You can point it outside on a window sill instead, but it's going to produce a bit of chaff as it works and if you don't collect it somewhere sensible you'll be finding it stuck to your socks for weeks.
This is a good time to go disable your smoke detector. Don't worry, the beans aren't going to fly out. They'll stay in the roasting chamber throughout the whole process.
As the beans roast, they'll yellow, then brown, and then begin suddenly to snap, crackle, and pop. This is known as "first crack". I like to stop the beans at, or around this point for my usual roast. After a little while, this will subside, and then a sweet smelling smoke will begin to be emitted from the beans. After a short period, the crackling will return, for "second crack".
I strongly recommend you do not allow your beans to progress far into, or beyond second crack. If you do, you will end up with what is colloquially known as an "espresso roast", a "Starbucks roast", or simply "charcoal." The chief sign of this (other than a kitchen full of smoke) will be that your beans will be a deep brown and will either already be or soon become oily on their surface.
Some people prefer this taste. To them I say: drink on! Whatever you like is correct!
When the beans have reached the desired level of roast (really, just before) unplug the popper, and dump the beans into a metal colander, onto a cookie tray, or somewhere else you can spread them out to cool. I would put them in a big metal mixing bowl and toss them until they were only warm to the touch.
Enjoying your Coffee
It is generally accepted that the coffee should be allowed to rest for four to twenty-four hours before consumption. To this I say, "pish tosh." The rest, it is true, allows the coffee to out-gas and reduces the amount of foaming that occurs that when the ground coffee comes in contact with water. That said, a little bit of stirring dissipates any foam and hey, I want coffee now, not tomorrow.
That's it! If you follow these easy instructions you will be your own coffee roaster. I tried it for the first time some years ago and never looked back. Many local roasteries are happy to sell you a few pounds of green and would love to talk to you about their roasting process, so if you've got an old popcorn popper lying around you can always try that.
From here, the possibilities are endless. Go forth, and enjoy all that the coffee roasting world has to offer.
r/roasting is chock full of good resources. Another good place to start is www.sweetmarias.com
They’ve got a load of startup guides, and they sell pretty good quality green coffee.
The easiest way to get started is to go find a hot air popcorn popper that doesn’t have a mesh bottom in the roasting chamber, but a solid one with side vents. You want the air to swirl around in there. This is the one that I bought http://amzn.to/2xNzhzp Then, get a scale that does at least 2kg at .1g accuracy. You’ll need that to make sure you’re roasting consistent batches.
Everything from there is up to you, and the resources I’ve posted will help you know when a roast is ready to be dropped, and what to do from there.
My favorite thing about roasting my own coffee is that I pay $4-7 per pound for coffee that’s better than Starbucks... assuming I don’t screw it up haha.
My mom gave me her air-popper from the 1970s when I went off to college because she used it all the time in college too, haha. It's basically a 70s-tastic yellow version of this
No microwave needed, just plug it in and turn it on. Also no need for butter or oils!
I actually make it myself, I have this from Lekué to make it in the microwave - super easy, low calorie, and I usually make around 7 or 8 cups and only use 1 tsp of olive oil to help the spices coat the popcorn (my favorite is salt + ras-al-hanout)
What I can think of for most recently is my air popper for popping popcorn. It’s really easy to use. I use some Orville Redenbacher popcorn kernels, Kirkland olive oil, and garlic salt and it creates some deliciously addicting popcorn
Ditch the brown bag! You can save money by getting something reusable like this
https://www.amazon.com/Original-Salbree-Microwave-Silicone-Collapsible/dp/B01G7SGOL2/
I probably use it everyday. Its difficult to burn popcorn in, tastes just like air popped popcorn, and you don't need to buy bags!
touch screen gloves
Harry Potter cook book
Auto room freshener
towel basket, home decor
popcorn maker
Funny cooking ladle
famous painting socks
constellation mug
LED room lights
bath bomb set
paradoy coloring book
book, hidden safe
Hope those help!
Whoever posted about the HotPop popcorn maker about a month ago: you have brought great happiness to my household. I tried to find who mentioned it so I could just direct message them but couldn’t find the thread. But if you like popcorn, this thing is great.
I think I screwed up the terminology? I meant stir popper I guess? I use one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/West-Bend-82306-6-Quart-Electric/dp/B00004RC6R/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1397620092&sr=8-3&keywords=popcorn+popper
I have used a brown lunch bag method in the microwave. Pour some kernels in, sprinkle some oil on them, fold twice and staple twice (they won't do any harm in the microwave). Microwave them until you don't hear a couple seconds between pops. Turns out good.
My favorite way is using the best gift we got for our wedding (almost 7 years ago)..popcorn maker
It works awesome, except for the butter melter thing on top, that blows.
I loooove this thing. You do have to stop it when it's done or it eventually burns (after 30 seconds or a minute), but because you can SEE THE POPCORN POPPING that's not a big deal.
Seriously, it's like a UFO that makes popcorn for you.
I used to use this until it broke, but then got the air popper and tbh, I prefer it. Less preparation, less clean up, more compact, and faster too.
Nowadays I rarely eat popcorn, but I've reverted to the microwave when I do. I like shitty artery-clogging artificial butter and the even easier cleanup that comes from not needing to clean anything afterwards. It's bad.
Get this: https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Medal-Prod-Flavacol-Seasoning/dp/B004W8LT10?ie=UTF8&qid=1378260313&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
and this: https://www.amazon.com/Amish-Country-Rainbow-Blend-Popcorn/dp/B00017LEZC?ie=UTF8&qid=1378260344&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2
and this: https://www.amazon.com/West-Bend-82306-6-Quart-Electric/dp/B00004RC6R?ie=UTF8&qid=1378260208&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
For the best popcorn you have ever tried in your life.
My husband loves popcorn.
possibly more than he loves meWe have this one. It's countertop and just uses a little bit of oil for popping.
http://www.amazon.com/West-Bend-6-Quart-Electric-Popcorn/dp/B00004RC6R/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1303139391&sr=8-3
Bought this for the gf for valentine's day. Works like a charm and it's really cool to watch as well.
I season popcorn in all kinds of ways. From cajun to curry to bacon to sweet and hot. Anything that chips would taste good flavored as popcorn will also. My normal popcorn is made in a self stiring popper and seasoned with olive oil, cumin, curry, cinnamon and adobo (adobo is a seasoning salt with garlic and all kinds of good stuff in it).
The fact that you say you cannot rent a machine is crazy. The cost of all those single microwave packs and the MASSIVE amout of time it would take to pop them all for a "Metric ton of popcorn" would just never outweigh its costs.
A machine would be quick and painless also kernals are cheap.
OR
get this thing and get going.
BUt seriously for one event not renting a machine is just wasting time and money
One of these bad boys
https://www.amazon.com/West-Bend-82306-6-Quart-Electric/dp/B00004RC6R
I just shake the whole thing every minute or so to get the beans out from under the rotating rod. It gives me a pretty consistent roast, and i can watch for desired color and listen for cracks.
10 year theater veteran checking in...
You need both proper seasoning and a proper device to make it in.
To make the popcorn, you'll need a popcorn maker that agitates the kernels. Most have this as a manual function. That means that, yes, you have to actually turn that knob for like three minutes. However, you'll get a great batch. This is the most important piece. Every commercial movie theater popper operates that exact same way, albeit in an automated mechanical fashion.
The second thing you need is proper seasoning. You can get pretty good taste with standard salt, but for authentic flavor you'll need butter salt.
So, toss in a cup of kernels and about four tablespoons of canola oil. Then put in a spoonful of butter salt. Turn on high and agitate at a consistent speed. Once popping starts, keep agitating until there are around three to five seconds between pops. Remove from heat and place in a bowl. Enjoy.
Is it the Whirley-Pop? My parents have one, too, and they swear by it.
I grew up on popcorn made in this. Absolutely loved every second of it.
We love our Whirley Pop:
http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-25008-Whirley-Pop/dp/B00004SU35
buy some virgin coconut oil to pop in and heat real unsalted butter in a pyrex container in the microwave for topping.
shit's great
Hot air is tasteless. Get a Whirley Pop and some kernels from Amish Country Popcorn. I suggest Rainbow Ladyfinger, but they are all good.
Try a Whirley Pop, use coconut oil and 1/2 tsp of Flavacol, you'll never go back.
Here's your starter kit:
>https://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-Whirley-Pop-Stovetop/dp/B00004SU35/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495559034&sr=8-1&keywords=popcorn+popper+stove
>https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Medal-Products-Flavacol-Seasoning/dp/B007HN5KNA/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1495559045&sr=8-2&keywords=popcorn+flavor+salt
>https://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Organic-Virgin-Coconut/dp/B00J51RB3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495559064&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=coconut+oil&psc=1
>https://www.amazon.com/Snappy-Yellow-Popcorn-4-Pounds/dp/B003832GRQ/ref=sr_1_10_s_it?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1495559074&sr=1-10&keywords=popcorn
>https://www.amazon.com/Amish-Country-Buttery-Popcorn-Topping/dp/B00AX6JGI8/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1495559107&sr=8-4&keywords=popcorn+topping+butter
You only need a little bit of salt at a time, so that'll last you years. I like the Orville popcorn topping, but couldn't find it cheap on Amazon. Anyways, this is a good set so you don't have gallons of stuff in your house, but still get authentic movie theater taste.
I got it at Bed Bath and Beyond, but they have them on Amazon, too. There's a few different brands, I think this is the one I used.
I know this is getting to you a few days late, I make cheese popcorn all the time. Really you need the cheddar powder and something for it to bind together (popcorn topping, butter, etc.)
My method, with links to things I use:
You don't have to use most of these things, but I've made popcorn that has gotten a ton of rave reviews with either that method, or minor changes to it. Get some of the cheddar powder and go from there. It can also be used to make mac and cheese, au gratin, or any dish that could use a little cheese flavor if you don't want to just use grated cheese. The powder also sticks on the popcorn crevices, making it amazingly tasty.
You can buy a pretty cheap stove top popcorn maker. The kernels are super inexpensive at the store. It takes about two minutes from thinking "gee I'd like some popcorn" to having a full pot of it: you add a cup of kernels with a spoonful of coconut oil, heat it up and spin it around, then apply butter and salt as necessary when you're done.
I got this one for my birthday six months ago and honestly now when I go to the movies I have zero desire to buy their ridiculously expensive popcorn.
Get a Whirley Pop. I love mine. Use it every night, or at least every other night.
http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-25008-Whirley-Pop/dp/B00004SU35/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1334062742&sr=8-3
nevermind, found it.
2nd question: how much bean does he throw in?
I just Whirley-pop it
As long as you heat it up gradually, turn the heat up once it starts browning, and then cool it very very quickly, you'll end up with a good end product.
Turn the crank at about 2-3 revs/second on medium - medium high heat, and you'll be done in roughly 18 minutes.
TIL what a whirley pop is: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00004SU35
a hand crank stovetop popcorn popper, olive oil and Jane's Krazy Mix Up Salt
You can also use pretty much any microwaveable bowl with a lid. Melt the butter, add the kernels and salt, listen, wait, and enjoy. The bowl gets really hot but you don't have to worry about having paper bags around whenever you want popcorn.
I bought a "popcorn bowl" at Target for 8 bucks (you can get one on Amazon here. You can make it without oil or butter (but why?) and it works really well.
We use this one. No stove, no oil, and it's ready in about 2 minutes. The only problem is you have to buy inserts every so often. Otherwise, it works fine.
They sell microwaveable containers to put kernels in and it pops wonderfully
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005IBXK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.a0gzbD40AJ69
Nuts, while crunchy are not potato chip crunchy. Just portion them out so you don’t overdo it! I think it’s really the packaging that makes the most noise. Chips sound much louder in your own head than they do for others. Popcorn might be a good option if you want something salty and if you air pop it at home, it can be very healthy. I use one of these to make it in my microwave for pennies a bag and then top it with whatever I like- salt, garlic powder, etc.
Presto 04830 PowerPop Microwave Multi-Popper, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005IBXK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apu_.YMIBb15D4TM3
I’m a librarian and I don’t mind the snacking (some librarians really do- but really, who is going to stop studying, pack up their shit and go outside to eat a handful of goldfish crackers), I just hate when people leave their trash and crumps behind, so please make sure to put your trash in the bin and wipe up and spills/crumbs.
This is one I use
Before I got that one though I used to just throw some kernels in a brown paper lunch sack and that worked great as well
we have this: https://smile.amazon.com/Presto-04820-PopLite-Hot-Popper/dp/B00006IUWA/ref=sr_1_5?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1484182397&sr=1-5&keywords=popcorn+air+popper and absolutely love it
I use an air popper similar to this one. You can dress up the popcorn however you like afterwards or eat it plain. I use flavoring salts and you can make them yourself if you want, this site has some recipes.
The only issue that I have is getting the salts to stick well to the popcorn, but I hardly use any oil/butter. I usually spray some oil on the popcorn and then dust the seasonings on.
For popcorn, do yourself a favour with the trip-down-memory-lane-and-yet-still-is-pulling-in-amazing-reviews purchase of this popper. Bought the exact model and it's superb.
I don't use butter, but squirt grapeseed oil on the popcorn as it flows out, while crushing fresh salt on it. Movie time, baby. Movie time!
Air-popper. This brand: http://www.amazon.com/Presto-114316-04820-PopLite-Popper/dp/B00006IUWA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311275338&sr=8-1
Seriously makes delicious popcorn, pays itself off over time, and is faster than the microwave.
http://www.amazon.com/Presto-04820-PopLite-Popper-White/dp/B00006IUWA
I'm a big cast iron cooker, and I still screw up popping kernels. This $20 air popper is a great timesaver.
I have an Air Popper so I just pop it myself. I have this one. It's only $20. You can get a big box of kernels for like $5 at a grocery store and you really only need 1 or 2 tablespoons of kernels to make a nice big batch of popcorn.
You need a popping machine :)
It's special purpose hair dryer that's fun to watch in action. It's easy and doesn't make a mess.
The best way to make popcorn is with oil. You can use a covered pot you shake, or better yet something like a Whirley Pop. Unfortunately, using a tablespoon or two of oil doesn't exactly make it a low-calorie snack you want to eat regularly on a reduced intake.
The lowest-calorie method is to use an air popper, then apply a measured amount of whatever toppings or seasonings you prefer. My go-to recipe is to weigh out 20 g of popped popcorn, then carefully apply 3 g of melted butter, stirring constantly to distribute it well. I then sprinkle on sea salt that was ground to a fine powder. This gives a nice 100 calorie snack with just enough buttery flavour to be satisfying.
Unless you are specifically using large crystal salt for the crunchy texture, you probably want to use fine "popcorn salt" to avoid the gritty feeling of regular table salt. You can buy this pre-made, or grind it at home in a blade grinder or mortar and pestle. It has the side benefit that you use less salt because there is more exposed surface area.
There are many, many ways to season popcorn. Sriracha is pretty popular, but you can also use any combination of spices and herbs, or even stuff like nutritional yeast. You will probably get some great suggestions here, but a quick Google will get you a tonne of recipes you can modify to your heart's content.
I'm no professional. However if you can't do much at the moment. Try going on a walk for a bit. Maybe 10-30 minutes in the beginning. Try and do it mutiple days a week. Once you start getting use to it increase the time a little or jog for part of the walk. If it's an option listen to music. I know walking may not seem like much. But it's best to start small and build up the habbit. As for getting healthier food. Identify what is actually bad. Saturted fat and transfat are pretty bad. Not all fats are bad. Try and decrease the amount of salt and sugar you have. A cheap snack option is plain popcorn. It's around 20 dollars. And the kernals themselves are pretty cheap per bag. If it's to plain add a little bit of butter and salt.
Go for it.
I'm using the standard air popper set up, works great.
Just pour the beans in, tip it back a bit, turn on the popper, and starting checking the color after the first audible crack (~3-5minutes). When the roast is just before where you want it, turn the popper off and dump the beans into a pan.
There's a bit of smoke and chaff involved, so do the roasting outside or at least pointing out a window.
You save money, time (I buy my green beans in bulk from sweet maria's so I never have to make weekly bean runs again), and you get some truly incredible coffee.
You can roast your own pretty easily and cheaply. I bought a 5 lb bag of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe green coffee beans from Etsy for $30 shipped and then I bought this hot air popcorn popper. Put a scoop of beans into the popper, place a bowl under the shoot to collect the chaff so it doesn't go everywhere, angle the popper so the chaff shoots out but the beans stay in, and plug it in. Roast to desired doneness then pour the beans in a mesh colander and shake it until it cools. Let it sit for a few days and then you can grind and drink.
It's really simple and once you've done it a few times you get the hang of it. Just watch a few videos first. Roasting it myself has yielded the best coffee I've ever tasted at roughly the same cost as the cheaper brands.
It's my gf's, and she's at college right now, so I'm not sure of the exact model or brand. But it looks like this. Yellow rim, clearish plastic lid with a tray for heating up butter or oil while the popcorn pops. I'll ask her tomorrow for a specific brand.
I really want this for my daughter. She LOVES popcorn....so do I ! Thank you so much for the contest, I hope you become a ps pro today lol
Presto on Amazon $23 prime eligible
I think it is pretty close to this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006IUWA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I have been using that for 5 years to roast. A minor mod that I did was open it up and twist the bimetal overtemp protection closed so I could roast as many batches as I want in succession. Works great. Just don't rely on the air pushing up to circulate the beans. I use a shaking motion to rotate the beans around and you can roast up to 1/3 lb with this.
Is this the one you purchased?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00006IUWA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1425169593&sr=8-1&keywords=air+popper+popcorn+maker&dpPl=1&dpID=31OAC-ca0pL&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SY200_QL40
You can buy standalone air poppers or use the microwave. The cheapest way is to just use a brown paper bag in the microwave, though I'm partial to my silicone microwave popper.
So, my hubby and I got one of these popcorn popper machines with wedding gift money a few months ago. Because we figured since it was gift money, why not get something totally frivolous we wouldn't normally spend that much money on?! We finally tried it tonight and damn, so worth it! Wish we had more friends near by so we could have popcorn parties xD
Thank you for specifying multiple items! I couldn't pick.
I'm new to the game. Have about seven roasts under me.
I use the West Bend Air Crazy. Seems to do the trick, although the roasts are a tiny bit uneven.
The good model is still avaliable on amazon for $15.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0036WS1GY
Here you go. EDIT: Since I explained it wrong, here's my original source: https://www.reddit.com/r/Cooking/comments/27tygi/whats_the_closest_i_can_get_to_cinemastyle/ci4cldp/
Found a previous comment about this and used the guy's amazon links and replicated movie popcorn at home...
Popcorn Maker
https://www.amazon.com/Great-Northern-Popcorn-Original-Popper/dp/B005T3P6PM/
Popcorn Oil - Coconut variety (don't worry it doesn't taste coconutty)
https://www.amazon.com/Paragon-Coconut-Popcorn-Popping-Gallon/dp/B002YLI9E2
Popcorn Salt
https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Medal-Prod-Flavacol-Seasoning/dp/B004W8LT10
This setup will last you forever, you'll get sick of popcorn before you get through any of these. You do need to season the popper, just follow the directions. Its a metal pot after all.
My personal was to store the oil in my pantry so it was cool and dark. I had to icecream scoop a giant dollop of it into a cup and microwaved it to be liquid. Then you pop the popcorn like usual.
Then I would empty the popcorn into a giant bowl. I would stir it around and use the popcorn salt for about half the time, and then used finely ground Walmart type popcorn table salt.
Roast on the stovetop with a "whirley pop"-type pot (see here and here). You'll learn to roast by sight and smell, as well as time. There is a plethora of tutorials and videos that will teach you how - start with the resources on Sweet Maria's website.
I started roasting this way, then moved to a Behmor, then a few different commercial roasters. I still enjoy going back to the stovetop, and roasted a half pound of a great Rwanda on Friday.
Don't give up. Green bean can be stored for quite a long time. and DIY coffee roasting can help save lot $$$ and give you surprise when you take a sip of the coffee you roasted and brewed yourself.
BTW, as my popcorn popper is almost identical to https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-73400-Popcorn-Popper/dp/B00JR5ADG0/ref=zg_bs_1090764_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9CXA78KYSANV50EHDANH and in a country with 240V electricity supply. The power output might slightly varies.
Ohhhhh this question is for me. I fucking love Amazon.
That's all I got for now!
Growing up, we had a popcorn machine like this. 20 bucks! And all my friends thought we were the biggest snobs for not making it in a bag in the microwave to get that authentic packing peanut taste. Never mind that a gallon of kernels and a machine like that will make you popcorn at a much lower cost than pre-packaged microwave brands. And you can butter to taste, rather than 90% dry sponge, 10% oily sludge.
I just wanted to share that I just bought this thing and I love it so hard.
http://www.amazon.com/Lekue-Microwave-Popcorn-Popper-Maker/dp/B00NF9CT0C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464892927&sr=8-1&keywords=lueke+popcorn
I bought this [Lekue Popcorn Popper](https://www.amazon.ca/Lekue-Popcorn-Popper-Popocorn-Maker/dp/B00NF9CT0C/ref=sr_1_4?s=kitchen-substore&ie=UTF8&qid=1458086687&sr=1-4 "Popcorn PopperLekue Popcorn Popper") from Amazon.ca and LOVE it!
I can't speak to all of them on Amazon, but this is the one I got:
https://www.amazon.com/Original-Wabash-Valley-Farms-Stovetop/dp/B010TR1SMW/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=whirlipop&qid=1554231283&s=gateway&sr=8-4
And I've had nothing but good popcorn from it, so I'd recommend it personally.
I'm a microwave butter junkie and my husband tried just popping on the stove with a small amount of oil. We switched to this to cut calories and it folds up nicely in the cabinet.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CMT8DFU/ref=s9_acsd_top_hd_bw_b4Zky_c_x_3_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-4&pf_rd_r=TT8SXW3C75AXTD6V91XM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=95daf077-c732-5649-9eec-3d77faa04f20&pf_rd_i=1090764
I recently got a fold up silicon popper that lets me air pop popcorn. It works extremely well. This is the specific one I got but there are lots of options.
1 no scotch in this water bottle
2 shorts that work 60% everytime
3 beach towel use the force
4 floatie far far away
5 sun glasses at night
6 classy beach bag
7 lite reading and espianoge
8 [blockbuster movie time] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076Y4M98R/ref=s9_acsd_top_hd_bw_b2rfnRz_c_x_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-5&pf_rd_r=AJZ7Y9CKT1JG1CV0AHZR&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=0bf21515-1eaa-5336-924c-fa1216514d45&pf_rd_i=2625373011)
9 movie snack time
10 outdoor gnome decor
11 for my pop
who loves napping. He's the greatest and still treats me like a kid, in a good way.
12 [Ahhh-murica] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DYQG5QY/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01DYQG5QY&pd_rd_wg=Zsv3A&pd_rd_r=Z5PB2MF5ZQG803AN77BT&pd_rd_w=U7gSq)
13 my thunder buddy
14 indoor boredom :|
15 musack
16 snacktime
17 pineapple is yummy
18 baby pineapple plant?
19 bocce balls!
20 ahh sharks!
What was wrong with the bag your own microwave popcorn? I have one of these and it works great. You can put oil in before popping or you can drizzle on afterwards so you shouldn’t have problems with it being “bland.”
I bought a silicone bowl popcorn popper on Amazon for pretty cheap a few years ago and it’s still my fave kitchen item. No fat needed to make the popcorn, which means calories saved.Popcorn Maker
stir crazy
Obviously you have never made popcorn the right way: http://www.amazon.com/West-Bend-82306-6-Quart-Electric/dp/B00004RC6R/ref=zg_bs_1090764_4
It looks like you want model 82306... I've started seeing more of model 82505 which is NOT the correct one.
can you be more specific? do you mean like an air popper, or a machine like this one? I've seen these and they don't work very well - a lot of the kernels end up unpopped, it's wasteful, inefficient, cumbersome to fill, and hard to clean. I don't recommend it
I prefer to use my Whirly Pop - very high quality and easy to use. avoid the stainless steel ones as they heat up too slowly, aluminum conducts heat faster so it takes less time to pop.
Get one of these, makes great popcorn - Whirley-Pop Stovetop Popcorn Popper. The secret to movie theatre taste is using coconut oil to pop the corn in.
If you want to make everyone envious get one of these babies! Fun for the whole family!
There are 3 things you need to make popcorn at home that is just as good as movie theatre popcorn. First, a good popper. Second, pop it in coconut oil. Third, and this is the real secret, fake butter seasoning. So, so good.
Not only is it just one pot, it's just one tablespoon of oil. What's the big deal? I wipe mine out with a paper towel in 10 seconds and it's fine.
I use the Whirly Pop, a tablespoon of canola oil, and melt REAL butter, add salt. Perfect.
Absolutely
Agreed, popcorn is great.
Protip: Buy loose kernels in bulk, pop them with one of these bad boys. Now you can pop popcorn/kettle corn perfectly, every time, even when the electricity goes out!!
This and this...
http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-25008-Whirley-Pop/dp/B00004SU35/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1322349599&sr=8-7
http://www.amazon.com/Great-Northern-Popcorn-8-Ounce-Portion/dp/B000PDY3HI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322349599&sr=8-1
yes, I believe you can. haven't done it myself. I prefer the whirley-pop, which I believe -- as a popcorn enthusiast -- is the best way to make popcorn. also, buy good popcorn and keep it air-tight! the secret to fluffy popcorn is (a) medium-high heat and (b) NON-dry popcorn. the moisture in the popcorn is what causes the explosion. buy the freshest corn you can and keep it in a sealed jar. I also use a brown sugar thingie but I'm obsessed. links here:
http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-25008-Whirley-Pop/dp/B00004SU35
http://www.amazon.com/Harold-Import-Brown-Sugar-Bear/dp/B000MT65BC/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1324705866&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-Whirley-Pop-Stovetop/dp/B00004SU35
You're welcome.
I'll see your airpopper and raise you one of these.
Random ramblings:
I recommend IKEA. Most of their stuff is decent quality, and very good for the price. Don't try for the cheapest they have; go a bit up in price. As an example, their SLITBAR Chef's Knife ($50) is made in VG-10, one of the best steels there is. I believe this knife is better than the one I have, which cost me about $250.
Consider non-stick skillets to be semi-disposable. I've stopped buying expensive non-stick skillets; I've tried the absolute top end, and even when I really baby it, it stops working in a year or two. Non-stick pans I've not had the same problem with - I bought some nice TEFAL ones (not the "professional" ones, one step up from that, I unfortunately can't remember the names), and they've so far lasted for over five years.
For cast iron pans, I've not found a difference in quality - anything I've bought has lasted a long time.
For mixing bowls, I recommend getting a bunch of cheap metal ones. I got ten bowls at two euro each about five years ago; one of them has gotten discolored, apart from that they're working fine still. Having lots works wonders. In the US, these are easy to buy at Vietnamese stores.
For plastic stuff, it's hard. IKEA has it, but it's sometimes expensive. I've had some luck with cheap stuff, but you have to look at it really carefully. Quality don't really go with price, but the very cheapest stuff is usually crap. A simple rule of thumb is to go to a cheap place, then look at what the cheapest you can buy is, and then buy something that costs twice that (at the same place). This will usually get you good quality; buying something that costs 10x more somewhere else don't give you any guarantee.
Thermometers are all over the map; go for a digital one, and read reviews. And you DO want a thermometer - it makes all kinds of things easier.
The chef's way of filling a kitchen is buying relatively cheap stuff, and having lots of it. I've copied that - for everything I care about, I buy ten of it. Things usually stack, so they don't take that much space, and having ten of everything means I can work without having to try to wash things in the middle.
You don't want "any" single use tools; they take space, and are a waste. I've got only two single use tools: I've got a garlic press and a WhirleyPop. The former is because it is way faster; the latter is because it is the only way I've found to make Kettle Corn without burning it.
For appliances, garage sales can be great. I paid $20 for my high end KitchenAid (battered but perfectly functional); and I only paid $20 because I didn't have the conscience to take it for the $10 they suggested.
Minimize the stuff you get at first; it's so easy to get lots of stuff, but most of it you hardly ever use.
The stove top popper is king. Pops every single kernel in 3 minutes, perfectly fluffy.
https://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-Whirley-Pop-Stovetop/dp/B00004SU35/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473649262&sr=8-1&keywords=stove+top+popper
If you love popcorn, get one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-Whirley-Pop-Stovetop/dp/B00004SU35
Cooks popcorn amazing and you don't have to use much oil at all! I use coconut oil and sprinkle on some nutritional yeast after cooking, very good popcorn!
There is no shame in that. I have done it myself a few times. And microwave popcorn is sacrilege. Stove top is where it's at. A Whirly-Pop makes the best. Not having room for anymore pots and pans and having a glass range that I don't like to shake a regular pan on top of, I have discovered the Presto Pop. It technically makes microwave popcorn, but it's mostly the same as stovetop, and is waaaaay better (and cheaper) than bagged microwave.
Easily done. Coconut oil, quality corn, and a decent popcorn maker is all it takes.
Fresh and hot beats sitting under a heat lamp for hours, in popcorn as in all things.
I use on of these: Wabash Valley Farms Whirley-Pop Stovetop Popcorn Popper https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SU35/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_ydfIub0D5EE8Q
Turn handle and it rotates two arms along the bottom of the pan to keep corn from burning.
Also, tastes way better if you use coconut oil.
/u/infinity526 is right, you shouldn't make popcorn on a glass top stove. But if you had a whirly pop you could do it!
Thanks too. I've read that some use popcorn poppers but didn't realise they were much of a thing here ... some searches on amazon found the one you recommend, at $150!!!! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wabash-Valley-Farms-25008-Whirley-Pop/dp/B00004SU35/ref=sr_1_79?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1420919362&sr=1-79&keywords=popcorn+maker
But there is a cheaper one by another maker - it's smaller but the same design and seems decent quality. There are also electric ones, starting at around $40 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beneo-CinemaTaste-Popcorn-Maker-Stainless/dp/B00LX5PX7G/ref=sr_1_69?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1420919619&sr=1-69&keywords=popcorn+maker
Stovetop roasting was probably the thing that got me into roasting my own coffee. I bought a whirleypop for $20 and got an aeropress to brew with. For about $120 I was making coffee that (I thought) was better than most local offerings and (for sure) better than grocery store brand coffee. Not to mention I was theoretically saving a lot of money because of how cheap greens were.
However, if you are willing to commit a bit more startup cash, I recommend the freshroast series of roasters as a much better method for controlling your roast profile.
As someone who is starting out, I'd say happy mug is the best supplier for greens. HM has nice coffees at good prices but Sweet Marias has a lot of unqiue vareitals and there's a number of really good coffees on there. The thing is that as a new roaster (and I am still in this category), you probably won't have the cupping skills or the roasting skills to appreciate all of the nuance that SM's beans offer, so HM is a better deal for $4.00/lb and 3-day flat rate shipping.
What are you brewing with?
Real talk? A whirlipop popcorn maker, it makes the best damn popcorn I've ever tasted! I make a bowl or two a week and its amazing how consistently good it is. If you like your popcorn a bit saltier there's this stuff on Amazon called Flavacol which is the seasoning they add in theatre popcorn, I put about a teaspoon in with the oil & corn usually.
https://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-Whirley-Pop-Stovetop/dp/B00004SU35
https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Medal-Prod-Flavacol-Seasoning/dp/B004W8LT10/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1479915964&sr=1-1&keywords=Flavacol
This is of course not factoring in the price of oil and kernels, let me just say that coconut oil will make the popcorn taste x10 better than any other kind of cooking oil.
I cannot say enough for this machine: Whirley Pop Once you get the hang of it you'll make popcorn that will make all other popcorn you've ever had taste like poo. I use unrefined coconut oil, salt and sometimes a tablespoon of sugar for a kettle corn taste.
http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-25008-Whirley-Pop/dp/B00004SU35
this is my best friend, i can make IMMENSELY healthy popcorn (sorry non-carbers :( ) and completely control the oil and salt in it, it's not calorie-free but it is an awesome easy (and CHEAP) munchy that won't totally break your diet.
munch on my friend (but only reasonable portions!)
You don't need anything nearly that fancy. Just get one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-25008-Whirley-Pop/dp/B00004SU35
Trust me, it's worth it. Make sure you pick up some Flavacol and popcorn oil from GFS, and you will be hard pressed to tell a difference between that and movie theater stuff.
Don't use a microwave!
Get a WhirlyPop and do it on the stove
http://www.amazon.com/Wabash-Valley-Farms-25008-Whirley-Pop/dp/B00004SU35
It's faster and better with no "mystery chemicals"
Hahhaha, I used the goat cheese Parmesan with dinner last night. ;)
It is similar to this but it was a super cheap one and I found it in a store.
LPT: Buy a Whirly Pop, buy kernels, most importantly, cook in coconut oil, smuggle in gallon sized ziplock bag or two in purse or backpack. Season with theater style popcorn saltMany monies saved while maintaining popcorn quality.
use a 'Whirly Pop'
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004SU35/fremystra-20/ref=nosim
or Air popper
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006IUWA/fremystra-20/ref=nosim
I like popcorn.
Buy a microwaveable popcorn bowl for $15 and a big jug of popcorn for $15 at Sam's or Costco. The bowl is a one-time purchase and the popcorn comes out to 20 cents per bowl.
I add a touch of oil to the popcorn before microwaving, but it's not needed (and makes it a little tougher to clean). Otherwise add salt and/or seasoning and you're good to go.
It's the perfect "I'm hungry but don't want a whole meal" option or "It's 11pm and I need a snack to get me through the next few hours of studying" option.
Got one of these for Christmas years ago. I love it.
https://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Microwave-Popcorn-Popper/dp/B00004W4UP
Fuck air popped. Give me https://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Microwave-Popcorn-Popper/dp/B00004W4UP + popcorn + coconut oil + flavicol.
Hello movie theatre popcorn!
http://www.amazon.ca/NordicWare-60120AMZ-Nordicware-Corn-Popper/dp/B00004W4UP/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1422545123&sr=1-1&keywords=nordic+ware+popcorn
I am not a huge popcorn eater. I used to make it on the stove where you'd put a little bit of oil in the pot (~1 or 2 tbsp, depending on how much popcorn), wait until the oil was hot, and then put a handful of kernels into the pot, put a lid on and shake until it was all popped. But we only have heavy-bottomed, non-stick pots, and now an electric stove top and it just always took so long to get popping.
But now that I have the above bowl I make popcorn all the time. You can make 'air popcorn' and not add any oil. Or you can add a little oil and salt when you make it in that thing too. This is used in the microwave, but you are using loose kernels just as you would with the Whirly Pop.
I use something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Microwaver-Popcorn-Popper/dp/B00004W4UP
I used to put butter / salt in but recently I don't want to bother with cleanup. Straight popcorn is good enough for me.
My favorite microwave corn popper. I have tried other methods of poppping corn in the microwave, but none works as well as this gadget (and generally I dislike single-function gadgets). Just add 1/3 cup of popcorn and press the "Popcorn" setting on the microwave. Butter after popping as needed.
Just get one of these
http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-60120-Microwaver-Popcorn/dp/B00004W4UP/ref=pd_sbs_k_1
There are some that are made for it - I use this one. Works fine. I'm sure the paper bag works great too.
It's this one - https://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Microwave-Popcorn-Popper/dp/B00004W4UP
That seems like it might be a pain to wash out, since there are so many moving parts. Constantly juggling a lidded pot on the stove works fine, or if you want an oil-free method, microwave air poppers aren't bad either.
I've started using a specific popcorn container for the microwave. It doesn't use any oil, and it tastes the same as air popped to me. I use this one. I'm in Canada, so you might have to look around a bit, but I find the container a good alternative to an airpopper.
You're much better off springing for a popcorn popper; the agitation will help you get a much more even roast.
For one, it's popped the "regular way" and the butter flavor is likely different. Even though it's super unhealthy, buy microwave popcorn with "movie theater butter flavor", and that should taste more similar.
On a related note, I use an air-popper (I use the #1 Best-Seller on Amazon) and I love it. It is much cheaper in the long run. The downside though is you have to apply butter/olive oil/coconut oil/peanut oil and salt after the fact, which takes some added time. Stove popping is also good, but I don't want to deal with cleaning a pot every time I make popcorn. I use extra virgin olive oil because it's healthier and it still tastes good (different type of taste than movie theater butter flavor, but still good). If you want to air-pop and want "movie theater flavor", you can buy Orville Redenbacher's Buttery Popping/Topping Oil.
If you eat popcorn even just once a week get this: Presto 04820 PopLite Hot Air Popper. Had one for a while and it works wonders. Tastes better than the microwaved stuff. Get some butter to put on top and let it melt as your popcorn pops or just get some of the flavored popcorn salt or oil at the store to put on it.
Use an air popper, like this. http://www.amazon.com/Presto-04820-PopLite-Popper-White/dp/B00006IUWA
My suggestion is an old fashioned air popper.
Popcorn isn't the healthiest thing in the world, but if you air pop instead of using some hardcore buttered microwaveable popcorn your snacking will be a lot less bad for you.(plus if you drizzle some olive oil and sprinkle fresh black pepper and some sea salt it's f'n delish.)
Popcorn hack: Buy a [air popper] (http://www.amazon.com/Presto-04820-PopLite-Popper-White/dp/B00006IUWA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408855967&sr=8-1&keywords=air+popper)
Yea I didn't really know anything about it until I got it home and researched it. The people that owned it before were grinding flavored beans (i.e. coated in syrup) so it was kinda gross, but cleaned up easily. This is the grinder. I guess it's up to $100 bucks haha. STEAL!
Popcorn popper roasting is pretty easy. You have to do fairly small batches (about 1/3 cup per ~5 minutes), but it's not a big deal. It's kind of relaxing and I enjoy the experience. This is the one I have. I found it on sale for around $14. Totally worth it. The only details I had to get down were blocking the exit chute with a piece of foil and cutting some vent holes in the side. You have to do it outside since the chaff goes EVERYWHERE, and it's hot here, so the machine kept overheating and shutting off. Other than that, you just put the beans in, plug it in, stir them around a little (I just use a long stick I found outside..still going strong) until they get light enough to auto-stir, then listen for the crack and watch the color.
It's immensely satisfying roasting your own coffee, and places like Sweet Marias are very knowledgeable and have great selection. I usually order their sampler packs of 3-4 pounds. I save one cups worth of roasted beans from each sample then when I'm done with all of them I do a taste test. With an AeroPress it's super easy to brew multiple cups of coffee at once.
My family had this or something like it, and it worked well for quite some time (until it had some small malfunction or other, so it doesn't work for whatever reason).
http://www.amazon.com/Presto-04820-PopLite-Popper-White/dp/B00006IUWA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413498821&sr=8-1&keywords=poplite
http://www.amazon.com/Presto-04820-PopLite-Hot-Popper/dp/B00006IUWA
They're great! And alarmingly unheard of, apparently.
That one just looks like a typical air popper. They're around $15-$30. I got this one(#2 Best Seller on Amazon) from Fred Meyer, and have owned it for about a year. It's great, no complaints, and the little cup on top for butter is even the perfect size to measure out how much popcorn you're supposed to put in it. My dad has an older model by the same company, and after around 7 years, it still works almost as good as when he got it.
As for seasoning it, ignore what /u/JustGreg said about using oil to pop if he likes the buttery flavoring. Oil popped popcorn is awesome(I have one of these too), and coconut oil that's been artificially colored and flavored for popcorn is what you should get if you want movie theater style popcorn, but if he likes the flavor of butter, just put butter on it. Take 1/4 to 1/2 a stick of butter, and either microwave it(AFTER you pop the popcorn, unless you have a 25 amp circuit in your kitchen!), or leave it on the the cup on top of the popper while it pops, and drizzle it on the popcorn after it pops. As for salts, I like Flavacol, which is what a lot of theaters use, Paragon Butter Flavored Seasoning Salt, or Jolly Time Buttery Popcorn Seasoning. Or if you're as lazy as I am, you can just pour some of all three into one of these.
Just remember with the air poppers, the only thing that ever goes into the area where it pops is popcorn, never put butter, oil, or seasonings in while it pops!
> I try to avoid nuts given the high calorie content (not great for mindlessly munching)
Popcorn is the absolute best for mindless munching for me. I use about a tablespoon of butter if I'm feeling indulgent, and just salt otherwise. I can eat an entire (large) mixing bowl's worth by myself and not feel guilty in the slightest. (This is probably one of my most-used Christmas presents in recent memory.)
These popcorn poppers are amazing!! You can even buy the oil/ butter flavor stuff! I use a ton of regular butter because IDGAF and it's delicious but for me, this whole set up is better than movie theater popcorn. Just sayin!
Nope. I paid less for my entire setup than what I normally spent on movie tickets (at the time).
Projectors can last a very long time. To give you an idea, I bought my HD projector at a Circuit City before it went bankrupt, about 9 years ago. All you need is a wall that's big enough for the image. I don't need a custom dedicated home theater. A normal living room, bedroom or den is fine. I also got a portable projector with built-in DVD, an Epson Moviemate, on sale for under $600.
Presto Air popper for $22.45. I got 2 Primo Flavorstation carbonators for about $25/each on clearance at a Big Lots.
When you add up the cost of tickets, popcorn, soda, etc., you'll be surprised how quickly it will buy everything needed to equip your own affordable home theater experience. You want great sound for cheap? The Logitech THX rated gear is a great value.
And for those of you who see time as money: this popcorn maker is a good investment. Occasionally it will go on sale for $10 (which is how much I paid for mine). It's nice because you can basically put the popcorn in, go do something else, and just listen.
I completely agree with OP, popcorn is the best frugal snack ever. You can pay $3 for a bag of potato chips or you can pay $2 for a huge bag of popcorn kernels that, when popped, basically equals... Idk, like 25 bags of chips? Just add butter and salt (or whatever seasoning you like, but with an air popper you can't use oil, so I like to melt a bit of butter for mine), and it's a great snack! (Not to mention a much healthier alternative to chips).
Pretty sure it is this one
This is the one I have: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00006IUWA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484497009&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=air+popper+popcorn+maker&dpPl=1&dpID=41ZoUbPF1%2BL&ref=plSrch
And it works like a champ!
You buy the bags of dry kernels, pour into the air popper. A few minutes later, every single kernel is perfectly popped.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00006IUWA/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1342491961&sr=8-1
Last time I made popcorn it was in a hot air popper. That dish on top of the spout is where you put butter, and by the time the popcorn is ready so is the butter.
I know how to make movie theater popcorn....
Edit: $170 buck for unlimited blow jobs is a bargain. https://www.amazon.com/Great-Northern-Popcorn-6010-Roosevelt/dp/B000QWE6S4/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1551018226&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A5024581011&s=kitchen&sr=1-4
Buy a popcorn machine for your house: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Northern-Popcorn-6010-Roosevelt/dp/B000QWE6S4
I use a "air crazy" model by west bend. I'm happy with it's roasting abilities, however the thermostat needs to be bypassed in order to get it up to a proper temperature.
Here is a cheap option for small-scale roasting. Using a popcorn popper for roasting coffee will help familiarize you with the roasting process.
I highly recommend getting a stove top popper, like this one:
Great Northern Popcorn Original Spinner Stovetop 6-1/2-Quart Popcorn Popper https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005T3P6PM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_gjqTBb1D9P176
It's super easy and quick to pop your own kernels, and it tastes a million times better than even the best bagged or theater popcorn. All you need to do is melt a little butter or lard in the popper, then throw in your kernels, and keep stirring/moving them. Once you start to hear 1-2 second between pops, turn off the burner and add however much butter and salt you want.
In it using something like one of these. https://www.amazon.com/Great-Northern-Popcorn-Original-Popper/dp/B005T3P6PM?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1 you add some oil to the bottom usually, just replace that oil with some bacon grease for some god tier popcorn.
I tried Alton's method a few times and I felt it wasn't really worth the effort. I use the Great Northern Popcorn Original Spinner to pop the kernels in and started to use
ladyfinger. For oils, it's a matter of preference. Coconut is very strong and has a distinct flavor which I got sick of after a month. I always go back to peanut or canola oil. Also, using clarified butter to top it off is the best so it won't make the popcorn soggy.
size of cast iron and whirley-pop? I see a 6 qt size whirley on amazon, not sure if it's too big/small.
https://www.amazon.com/Great-Northern-Popcorn-Stainless-Stove/dp/B00608D66G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483727271&sr=8-1&keywords=great+northern+stove+top+popcorn+maker
http://www.jbweld.com/products/j-b-extremeheat
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/243191/looking-for-a-food-safe-high-heat-epoxy
http://www.rkdrums.com/index.php/products1/2lb-roasting-kits/product/216-rk-2lb-drum-2lb-max
I recommend one of these if you're moving away from microwave popcorn. I love mine. Stovetop popper
I use a really basic off-the-shelf electric popcorn maker, similar to this one, for example: https://smile.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-73400-Popcorn-Popper/dp/B00JR5ADG0/ (sorry, it's a bit more than $15 - I'm from Israel, and was just estimating the price of a similar equipment in the US). If you google home roasting coffee beans, you'll see a lot of information, including recommendations on specific popcorn makers that are better suited for the task (I didn't have the luxury of choosing one of those, and it worked out fine). You will also find information about using stove-top roasters - they should work as well, if not better, than the electric ones, but require you to stir the beans constantly yourself.
I use a "stir crazy" style oil popper, like this one: https://www.amazon.ca/West-Bend-82505-Popcorn-6-Quart/dp/B00KL8SM92/
This one in particular, but they don't sell it anymore: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B003UV8L5C/
You don't need something like this, though, you'll get similar results by using a covered frying pan or a stainless steel mixing bowl such a described here: https://altonbrown.com/perfect-popcorn-recipe-2/
1/4 cup of kernels, 1/4 teaspoon of Flavacol, 2 teaspoons of refined coconut oil.
I cheat and use this in my automatic stirring popper.
this is a good deal
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OU0EQMY
Ich hab mir neulich sowas angeschafft und kanns echt empfehlen: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00NF9CT0C/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Dauert zwei Minuten in der Mikrowelle und schmeckt besser als im Kino. Definitiv eine meiner besseren Spontankäufe der letzten Wochen.
>this is the one I got: Wabash Valley Farms 22000MG Original Whirley Pop Stove Top Popcorn Popper Silver
Thanks for linking to a specific Whirley Pop popcorn maker. That helps a lot.
Oh, and kettle corn is super easy.
This is a good starting point recipe.
https://www.tasteslovely.com/homemade-kettle-corn/
If you really get into making it on the stove top at home, this is an awesome old fashioned popper that's about my favorite thing in the kitchen.
Wabash Valley Farms 22000MG Original Whirley Pop Stove Top Popcorn Popper Silver - Perfect Popcorn in 3 Minutes, Regular https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010TR1SMW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_e6ITCbYP936MT
This: https://smile.amazon.com/Salbree-Microwave-Popcorn-Silicone-Collapsible/dp/B01CMT8DFU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1483750416&sr=8-4&keywords=popcorn+kernel+for+microwave
With this: https://smile.amazon.com/Great-Northern-Popcorn-4-Ounce-Portion/dp/B000PDY3P0/ref=pd_nav_hcs_bia_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=2PHF0Z7JSY1YQM6G504D&th=1
Dish washer safe, and best tasting popcorn I've ever had at home.
May I introduce you to the silicone microwave popcorn bowl. No oil required. Use a little water spritzer after it cooks and your favorite seasoning.
Try it.
OP, if you are tight on kitchen space (like I am), this should be a good solution!
Also, if you aren't totally salt-free, I hear using Bragg's soy seasoning in a spray bottle to lightly coat the popcorn is a great way of making the nooch stick.
You might like this: https://www.amazon.com/Original-HOTPOP-Microwave-Collapsible-Dishwasher/dp/B01M1CJNXH
I got a HotPop for work and it is brilliant
i've tried that and it suffers from an issue i've seen with most low calorie products.
they went with portion control instead of content control. you can get much more by using this to pop this. you don't need oil, because it's made in the microwave, which pushes the calories down that much more, it takes the same amount of time as a regular bag of microwave popcorn, and you can season it however you want.
-------------------------
the thing I was getting at was that I wasn't hungry, I wasn't interested in the taste, but the habit of having popcorn in the evening is sticking around longer than the cravings for it.
It's true! I do air popped popcorn because you get SO much more! Everyone gets the skinny pop stuff but don't realize how much more you can get if you pop your own and season yourself. BUT you have to get a good air poppee cause some seriously suck! I recommend this one
microwave air popper
Seriously changed my life!
One of the best purchases I've made is a [microwave popcorn maker](http://www.Collapsible.com/ Silicone Microwave Hot Air Popcorn Popper Bowl With Lid and Handles https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M6ZKZPN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2-BXDbXVAKCA6) add kernels and salt and oil and microwave for 2 minutes. And it makes perfect popcorn every time for like 10p a go.
This is my jam when I'm in the mood, very easy to use and does a really good job.
I find smaller bags usually work better if you use the grocery stuff. One minor tip is I usually nuke the bag for ~20-25 seconds (just before any start to pop, whatever that time is for your popcorn / microwave) and then I shake / massage the bag so the heat / oil / salt is well distributed. I find it makes a minor to moderate difference in evenness, although I haven't exactly done a comparison so it could be a placebo.
Personally I've always felt the microwave does a better and easier job than either a stove top or air popper. If you want to try something better than the bags, I'd recommend something cheap like [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-60120-Microwaver-Popcorn/dp/B00004W4UP/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1368250102&sr=8-4&keywords=popcorn+popper) which allows you to use better popcorn and however much salt / fat you want to.
I got a Presto Microwave Popcorn Popper.
Takes 3 minutes and I use a teaspoon of oil instead of 2-3 tablespoons.
Then I spray it with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! spray (0 calories) and sprinkle on Kernal Seasonings flavored popcorn salt.
So my popcorn has very little calories.
http://www.amazon.com/Presto-04820-PopLite-Popper-White/dp/B00006IUWA/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1408341606&sr=1-1&keywords=popcorn+popper
Stop with the amature shit. Get a Stir Crazy, get some quality popcorn and some good oil. Then after you pop it but some real butter on it.
You'll find that good popcorn has almost no hulls and you almost never get popcorn stuck in your teeth.
You'll also find microwave popcorn and popcorn from movie theaters almost inedible in comparison once you become accustomed to the good stuff.
How are you popping your popcorn? The only reason I've ever seen popcorn burn is because there wasn't enough oil in the pan, or it was a bag of microwave popcorn with a susceptor.
If you are buying popcorn in a microwave bag, you are doing it wrong. Get something for use with (good), or without (better), a microwave. (I haven't used either of those specific products, but I use ones like them, and the principal is the same, so it is hard to go wrong.) They will pay for themselves in no time, because bulk popcorn and oil is really cheap, and making popcorn properly takes hardly any more time than microwaving a bag.
Stay away from air poppers, unless you want really dry popcorn. If you want to be healthy, cook it with a flavorful oil (e.g cocoanut or olive) and don't add butter. If the oil is flavorful, you won't need the butter to make it taste good.
For the best traditional popcorn though, cook it in cocoanut oil, add clarified butter, and salt it with finely ground salt, often referred to as flour salt.