Why Should You Use a Popcorn Popper?
A popcorn popper isn’t only a useful invention for people who love popcorn, but it also a fun and interesting investment for people who love hosting parties. They are used for producing large batches of delicious popcorn, and you can also try out different flavors of popcorn while you are at it. The larger the popcorn popper you find, the more fun it will be to use.
Popcorn poppers can be found in various designs and themes that you will love. For instance, if you are a movie buff, you can find a popcorn popper that has a movie theater appearance, or one that looks like the popcorn stalls that are usually found in fairs and parties. Whether you need tabletop popcorn poppers or one that comes with a trolley, you can enjoy all the popcorn you want with this handy machine.
History of Popcorn Poppers
Popcorn is one of the most popular snacks in the US, and it has been around since nearly 200 years. Ever since, people have used different methods and appliances to make their popcorn, such as throwing them in a kettle, or cooking them over hot ashes on a smoldering fire. However, the first-ever popcorn popper was invented in the year 1893, and the credit for this invention goes to an Illinois-based businessman named Charles Cretors.
Interestingly, he didn’t create the popcorn popper. Rather, he built a machine to roast peanuts outside his bakery, but he realized that the same machine could be used for popping popcorn. He improved the design and transformed it into a popcorn machine with wheels, which could be transported and used anywhere. The same year, the machine was introduced in the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where it was well received.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Popcorn Popper
If you want to pop delicious popcorn every time, you need a popcorn popper in your home, but how do you choose the best one out of the hundreds of products that are available out there? Here are some of the key factors that you must keep in mind while exploring different options to find the best one.
Design
The design of the popcorn popper is an important factor, and there are three different styles that you can choose from: stovetop, air poppers, and free-standing or theater-style popcorn poppers. Among these three, free-standing popcorn poppers help you in making a large amount of popcorn, whereas the other two have a much lower capacity. Air poppers are operated by electricity, so they might not be your choice if you are worried about energy costs.
Lastly, stovetop popcorn poppers enable you to pop the popcorn over the heat, be it a traditional stove or an induction stove. If you are short on space, then you will prefer stovetop popcorn poppers or air poppers.
Popping Method
There are two methods for popcorn popping that are applied: oil and air. No matter what the design of the popcorn popper is, it will apply one of the two methods for popping. The oil-based popping method has been around since a long time and it gives popcorn their natural taste. You can use various types of oils in this method, such as olive oil or coconut oil if you are health-conscious.
However, if you are more concerned about health, you can also choose air popcorn poppers, which use no oil and make use of hot air to pop the popcorn. However, they may cause you to consume electricity and may also be more expensive.
Capacity
The capacity of the popcorn popper is another important factor that you should keep in mind while choosing the best one for yourself, and this can be determined by the number of people you usually prepare popcorn for. Popcorn popper sizes range from 10 or 15 cups in a single batch to as many as 2-3 gallons.
The smaller capacity options are usually present in air poppers or stovetop poppers, whereas the larger options are available in the free-standing or movie-themed popcorn poppers. Generally, the popcorn poppers with smaller capacity are suitable for small families, and the larger ones are suitable for gatherings, parties, and events.
Popping Speed
After you have considered the capacity and popping method of the popcorn popper you are considering buying, the next thing to ponder upon is the popping speed, which is a measure of how fast the popper prepares popcorn in a single batch. Some of the high-end popcorn poppers have a fast popping speed and are done within 4-5 minutes.
The popping speed is also dependent on the size of the popcorn popper, as they have a larger space and also take in a larger amount of popcorn. Air poppers have the fastest popping speed, since they don’t require the use of any oil at all.
Construction
Last but not least, you should also keep the construction of the popcorn popper in mind, as it is subjected to high temperatures and has to be made from high-quality and heavy-duty materials that don’t deform or melt. Some of the cheaper options are made from plastic, which doesn’t withstand heat very well.
If you want a high-end and durable popcorn popper, then it is advised that you opt for a popcorn popper that is made out of stainless steel, aluminum, or other durable and heat-resistant metals.
FAQs
Why are there some unpopped kernels in my popcorn popper?
Unpopped leftover popcorn in your popcorn popper isn’t strange. Rather it is quite common with most of the models, but manufacturers find a way around this by adding special features like stirring systems, or popcorn poppers with heated side walls or domes.
What type of oil should I use to cook popcorn in a popper?
The most common type of oil used in a popcorn popper is olive oil, but if you are concerned about the health effects of oil, you can make use of coconut oil, or invest in an air popper.
How can I keep the popcorn popper clean?
You can make use of a window cleaning solution for the outside of the popcorn popper, and if there are any detachable components of the popcorn popper, then you can remove them and clean them individually.