How Popcorn Pops And How To Choose A Popcorn Popper
by Gregg Hall
According to Native American folklore in some tribes each kernel
contained a spirit who remained quiet until heated, when they
became angry. The hotter their little homes got, the angrier
they became. When shaking was added to the mix, the spirits
would burst out and leave in a puff of steam.
Obviously, this explanation while colorful and entertaining is
not what really happens! Actually, each popcorn kernel contains
a minute amount of water inside a circle of starch which is then
surrounded by the hard outer surface of the kernel.
With heating, the water expands and with the corresponding
pressure building against the starch it eventually pushes
through the hard surface making the popcorn burst open. As this
process occurs, the soft starch inside the kernel inflates and
bursts turning the kernel inside out and the popcorn is now
popped. Now on to choosing a good popcorn popper, we want to
look for poppers which have gone under scientific lab testing
and are proven to do a great popping job by producing maximum
volume of popcorn with minimal waste.
Another consideration will be whether children are going to
operate the popper. You will want to look for easy to follow
instructions and be sure that the popper is not too heavy for
the child to handle. Also, be aware of some convenience features
that will make the job of popping easier such as an oil line for
easy measuring, dishwasher safe covers, easy cleaning surface,
and a signal light to indicate when done.
The popper should also allow for steam to escape during the
popping cycle. This will keep the popcorn from becoming soggy
and will reduce the chance of the person operating the popper
getting splattered with hot liquid when the cover is taken off.
These steam releases will vary from popper to popper. Some will
have small vents, some covers are designed to fit into a ridge
around the base of the popper with enough clearance for steam to
be released. Be sure that the popper has this feature.
Before you buy, be sure you know whether or not an electric
popper is automatic or non-automatic. An automatic popper
contains a thermostat that automatically shuts off the heating
element at the end of the popping cycle. With a non-automatic
popper you will have to watch more closely to prevent burning
the popcorn once the cycle is complete. These poppers must be
promptly disconnected. Be sure to check the label for this
information.
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