Stovetop Popcorn
Popcorn is one of my favorite foods, it is simple, pure and good. I will have microwave popcorn when I am feeling really lazy, but I always find that making it on the stove is almost always worth the extra effort. Making popcorn on the stove is a bit of a dying art, people are scared of giving it a try. This is a shame though, it is really pretty easy and anyone should be able to pull it off.
Stovetop Popcorn Tips and Tricks
That said there are a couple of tips and tricks to make a good bowl of stove top popcorn.
- Heat is your friend. Popcorn pops when the water inside the kernel quickly turns to steam causing the kernel to explode open. Without enough heat it explode as much and the popcorn won’t be as light and crisp.
- Aim for medium-high heat. You want it to be hot enough to pop the corn, but you don’t want to smoke the oil. You want the oil to be about 400-450 degrees. The burner should be hot enough to get the oil back up to this heat when you add the corn.
- Use a heavy, covered pot. You want a pot that can store the heat so that when you add the corn it doesn’t cool off too much.
- You want to use a mild oil with a high smoke point. I love Corn Oil, but peanut and Canola oil also work.
- You need to leave the lid slightly ajar, you want to let the steam vent. When the kernels pop they let of steam. If the steam doesn’t escape, the popcorn gets chewy.
- It is best to store the popcorn kernels in your cupboard. You want to try and make sure it doesn’t dry out. You need the water in the kernels to make it pop.
- For best results, after you open your popcorn bag, always store your popcorn in a glass jar, or some other airtight container. Store it in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight.
- If your popcorn, when you pop it, has a slightly gummy texture or pops up like foam, it might be too moist (by approximately 1%). You can put some kernels on a plate and leave it on your counter for a day, then see if it improves.
- If your popcorn tastes tough after you pop it (too dry by approximately 1%), it may improve with a little added moisture. The ratio is one teaspoon of water to 1 pound of popcorn. Put it in a glass jar and shake it up. Shake it up at least 2 or 3 times a day for 3 days, then try popping it again. Be sure and shake it up, otherwise the water will stay at the bottom and mold the popcorn.
- Old Bay - This is my favorite topping, it is spicy and salty and sticks to the popcorn really well.
- Brewer’s Yeast or Nutritional Yeast - Tastey sort of buttery and it is good for you, it is a little tough to get it too stick though. I have found tossing it with soy sauce makes it stick and tastes good together. They soy can make the popcorn soggy though.
- Kernel Season’s - They make lots of fun flavors. So far I like Naco Cheese the best.
- Garlic Powder - Good and garlicy, and it sticks well
- 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
- 3 Tbsp corn oil
- 3-4 quart heavy cover pot
- Place pot over medium-high heat. Pour in oil and add three kernels. Cover
- Wait for test kernels to pop. After they pop, add all the remaining popcorn. Leave the lid slightly ajar.
- Shake the pot every 10 to 20 seconds to keep the kernels from burning. The kernels should starting popping slowly and then quicker and quicker. When things are popping, lift the lid two or three times to make sure the steam is venting, watch out for flying popcorn!
- When the popping slows down to every other second or so, remove the pot for the heat
- Pour half the popcorn into a bowl, sprinkle some of the topping on the bowl and shake. Pour the remaining popcorn in the bowl and add more seasoning.
- Enjoy!
Use a heavy pot that can hold the heat.
Here are some additional tips from Wisconsin Gold Harvest, producers of some great popcorn:
Popcorn with Old-Bay.
Toppings
Everyone has their own favorite popcorn toppings, but here are a few of mine. Also if you ware going to add salt, try adding it when you add the corn to the oil, it will help it get even coverage.
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October 10th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
I totally agree about stove-popped popcorn - so much better than microwaved (although, I do get lazy at times, too.) And I have to second the adding salt when you add the kernals to the oil. Best way to get it to stick.
April 24th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
[...] are prickly, use a pair of gloves. Cook the kernels the same way you would regular popcorn. Go here for the best way to cook popcorn, on the stove! The kernels were a lot smaller than standard [...]