Microwave Popcorn - What I've learned - and what have YOU learned?

bigbandjohn

This may seem silly, but perhaps it may help some of you. Sometimes, it's the obvious and simple things we all miss.

So, I have 3 major tips for popping non-commercially packed popcorn in a microwave:

1) Avoid using "ladyfinger" popcorn - or any non-standard size popcorn. I have tried it, and either half of it doesn't pop, or you burn what was already popped. If you have it, you can pop it for the standard length of time, remove the popped corn, then microwave again to pop the remaining kernels. Too much work for me.

2) Do NOT try to be a smart-alec and pop in a pyrex, corning, or glass bowl! it will FAIL, and you will end up with a broken bowl (Yes, I tried it once because I had no plastic bowls and coudn't find my microwave popper). Maybe there's new ones designed for it, but if it isn't designed for popping, DON'T USE IT!

3) Almost all microwave poppers are the same (at least all the ones I've used were the same). 1/4 cup of kernels. I have found that my higher-powered microwave at work takes between 1:50 and 1:55 to almost fully pop without burning. At home, about 2:00 to 2:10. It is worth experimenting to tune it. The popcorn button almost never works for me, unless it's a commercial bag.

On a side note, I find that the shape of the popper hasn't mattered yet. I have a rectangular "movie theater box" shaped silicone popper, and it works as well as the round bowl-shaped one with the popcorn reservoir at the bottom. Both seem to work equally as well for me.

The one thing we all probably noticed is that when we make it this way it's like air popping, and seasoning doesn't stick. How about suggestions (other than the commercial spray) to help make seasoning stick?

Also, does anyone else have some other popcorn tips they would like to share?

Probably a silly thread, but if one person is helped, then that's good.

maureenkhilde

I bought a new bowl to use in microwave this year. It states to use 1/3 cup. And I find about 90% of it does pop, and I am ok with that. But I had previously used/tried an assortment of other plastic and or silicone bowls that I just never felt worked that well.

What I discovered literally this month works. I use for many other things Olive oil cooking spray that says 0 calories for short sprays (under 3 seconds) I researched that on Market Pantry site, Targets brand. I have found using said sprays on microwaved popcorn then seasoning does stick. I like to use more of the savory seasonings like Bread Dipping Tuscany blend 1/4 tsp goes a long way.

kami3006

I just use a brown paper bag. Works very well.

ritzvin

I can't help with that → I just use the spray oil too (usually butter flavored, and usually followed by cheese/cheese-flavored powder).

smantha32

I pop regular popcorn in a brown paper lunch bag. Adding butter and salt afterwards. You have to monitor the time carefully though. When the popping slows down it can burn easily.

I went this route after not having processed bag popcorn for awhile and when I nuked one again it was like eating popcorn with motor oil sludge on it. The oil they put in the bag is gross and we all get used to consuming it.

acpgee

I use my stone coated non stick pans to do oil free popcorn nowadays. Though I use the microwave to melt some butter for drizzling on. If I don't want fat calories I season lightly with tabasco and/or soy to get seasoning to stick. Some seasonings I like are nutritional yeast, ranch dressing powder, parmesan, furikake.

I don't like that oil sludge that commercial bags of microwave corn seem to be coated in either.

lalalacroix

kami3006 wrote: »

I just use a brown paper bag. Works very well.

Yup. Me too.

Use of a light spray on popcorn really won't be many calories.

aokoye

I've done the paper bag thing, the silicone bowl thing, and popping on the stove in a heavy pot (most of our pots are heavy pot. The paper bag is my favorite for convenience sake honestly. I haven't had the poor luck some people have had with an unusually large amount of unpopped kernels (though I suspect that could easily be related to individual microwaves) and I don't find standing and listening to be a big deal. Especially when compared to cooking popcorn on the stove or frankly cooking just about anything that involves any amount of frequent checking up on.

Then again, I also do things like can large batches of homemade applesauce and make Austrian goulash. I'm used to having to watch over things or wait for hours and hours on food.

TeaBea

I love my Presto microwave popping bowl. I add 1 teaspoon of oil, that adds enough moisture to help the toppings stick. Look for fine grain popcorn salt. Kernel Seasonings popcorn toppings have lots of other flavors too.

If you want to try a butter flavor spray, skip Pam or Weight Watchers. There's a propellent in those that gives the popcorn a funky taste. Look for I Can't Believe It's Not Butter in the refrigerated section (pump spray).

I've never had luck with a plain paper bag. I've tried low watts, high watts, new seeds, older seeds.....a ton of seeds don't pop. Such a waste.

lynn_glenmont

kami3006 wrote: »

I just use a brown paper bag. Works very well.

Me too.

annmarie4203

I picked up an Air Popper (machine) from Target for $7 (on sale) and love it. Its's easy, quick, never any burnt popcorn, very few unpopped kernels.

My current favourite flavour is salt & vinegar (balsamic vinegar in a spray bottle - it allows you to coat all the popcorn without it getting soggy). With the added advantage being a large bowl is only 50 calories

bigbandjohn

TeaBea wrote: »

I love my Presto microwave popping bowl. I add 1 teaspoon of oil, that adds enough moisture to help the toppings stick. Look for fine grain popcorn salt. Kernel Seasonings popcorn toppings have lots of other flavors too.

If you want to try a butter flavor spray, skip Pam or Weight Watchers. There's a propellent in those that gives the popcorn a funky taste. Look for I Can't Believe It's Not Butter in the refrigerated section (pump spray).

Wow. Earlier that day I helped my mom take her Presto microwave popping bowl to the Salvation Army. Perhaps I should of kept that and gotten rid of the silicone one. Of course it takes more space, which space is tight at work.

I like the pump spray you suggest, but my issue is I need to avoid things that need refrigeration at work (you never know who may decide it's communal property).

annmarie4203 wrote: »

My current favourite flavour is salt & vinegar (balsamic vinegar in a spray bottle - it allows you to coat all the popcorn without it getting soggy). With the added advantage being a large bowl is only 50 calories

Hmmm. May try that. That actually reminds me of something a restaurant owner I knew use to do. He commercially produced a snack line called "Limonados" in NJ. It was popcorn with a light lemon flavor. He air popped his popcorn. Now, if I can just remember how he flavored it. It never grew from a mom and pop type local business, but I use to love it.

dechowj

I love my air popper. And I use a spray bottle with water just to make my seasoning stick to the popcorn better (very lightly so it doesn't get soggy). My favorite is just plain salt, everything but the bagel seasoning, and pampered chef ranch popcorn seasoning.

bigbandjohn

dechowj wrote: »

I love my air popper. And I use a spray bottle with water just to make my seasoning stick to the popcorn better (very lightly so it doesn't get soggy). My favorite is just plain salt, everything but the bagel seasoning, and pampered chef ranch popcorn seasoning.

Sounds similar to the vinegar method above. I like the idea.

hesn92

I just pop my popcorn on the stovetop in a pot with a lid