Popcorn poppers use different methods to pop the kernels.
Skip the artificial flavors and chemicals in microwaveable popcorn. Use an air popper or stove top popper to cook popcorn kernels in the amount you specify with your own seasonings added. To do so you will need either a stove-top or air popper for your popcorn. Both of these devices cook popcorn to fluffy perfection without the need for a microwave, but they have key differences.
Preparation
Fill the base of a hot-air popcorn popper with kernels, put the cover with the chute on top and plug in the machine. Place a bowl under the chute and wait for the popped popcorn to come out of the popper. Air poppers blow hot air around popcorn kernels. This air heats a tiny amount of water inside the kernel, which expands into steam. As it does so, the kernel turns inside-out, exposing the fluffy, starchy interior.
Stove-top poppers require the popcorn kernels and oil to be heated in a pan. While heating, you must turn a crank on the lid to keep the popcorn kernels moving in a pot. The heated environment inside the pot turns the water in the popcorn kernel to steam and pops it. Movement of the kernels for both methods is critical to keep the popcorn from burning.
Heating Method
The movement of hot air around the popcorn kernels in a hot-air popper cooks the popcorn through convection heating. This is similar to the fan-forced hot air blown around the oven chamber of a convection oven. Having the kernels coated in oil and in direct contact with the heat source of the bottom of the stove-top popper cooks the popcorn through conduction. This is the same method used for any food cooked in direct contact with the heating element, or in contact with the pan on top of the heating element.
Ingredients
Air poppers should never have oil added to the kernels. The oil gets clogged in the air vents, and it can burn in the bottom of the popper. Stove-top poppers require oil to be added to coat and improve heat conduction to the popcorn kernels.
Wait until after the popcorn pops for either method before adding butter. Do not pop popcorn on the stove in butter. Butter is not a solid fat and the small amount of water in it will turn to steam and make your popcorn soggy.
Time
Hot-air poppers will require between 1 1/2 to 3 minutes to pop the kernels depending on the model and the amount of popcorn added to the machine. During this time, do not leave the popper unattended, and keep your hands away from the popcorn chute. Hot kernels will be flying out. The stove-top popper takes between 3 to 5 minutes to pop the popcorn, based on the amount. This does not include the time it takes for the heating element to warm on your stove. Gas stove burners reach the desired heat level immediately, but electric stoves will need to be preheated until one or two kernels placed in oil in the popper pop. The fastest method of the two is to choose a hot-air popper.
Storage
The unit storage of air poppers and stove-top poppers can be a challenge. Air poppers have few other uses around the kitchen besides popcorn, and you must take care when storing the corded, electric appliance to avoid putting kinks in the cord or bending the plug prongs. A stove-top popper can be stored with other pots and pans in your kitchen, and it can be used as a cooking pot if you remove its lid. A stove-top popper wins in the battle for usefulness around the kitchen and ease of storage.
Tags: popcorn kernels, stove-top popper, contact with, heating element, amount water, around kitchen
