The Best Popcorn Maker

Buying Guide

Make movie night at home just as special as movie night out with a delicious bowl of homemade popcorn. Find your favorite recipe and make it a gourmet popcorn or just add some butter for a classic favorite. The best popcorn maker will pop every last kernel without burning any and that can be a tough thing to find. There are several different types of popcorn makers out there so let’s see which are the best right now.

First let’s explore what it is that makes corn pop. When you buy popcorn kernels at the grocery store it is a kernel made with a hard shell around it. Inside the shell is some moisture and starch along with the kernel. When heated, the moisture makes the shell pop off and the starch, moisture and corn instantly mix to create the puffy white food we love to eat. There must be enough moisture inside the shell, the heat has to rise enough, and the shell has to open for the corn to pop. If one of these is missing, your kernel will stay a kernel.

So now that we have a simple understanding of the process, we can think about what makes a good popcorn maker. There are a couple of different types of popcorn makers. There is the old-fashioned type that looks like a pot with a lid but features a handle that turns the blade on the bottom of the pot. In this version, the kernels sit on the bottom of the pot as it heats up on the stove. The blade turns the kernels so they don’t burn before they can pop open. Other machines work similarly but have a bigger display unit with all the mechanics showing for a fun popcorn experience.

If you want a simple way to make kernels pop in the microwave without getting the bags, you will need a special bowl and lid. This type of popcorn maker creates a steamy interior with a lid that sits snug against the silicone bowl in the microwave. This makes sure that the popped corn doesn’t burn while the last of the kernels continue to pop. These options are made from food-grade silicone for a safe cooking experience.

There is no better way to enjoy movie night than with a bowl of perfectly popped corn with your own personal topping to make it a great treat. Find the best popcorn maker for you and you’ll be halfway to that cozy night in with an exciting new movie.

• Make sure you have the freshest kernels for the highest levels of moisture. An old bag of kernels will have dried out a bit and won’t pop like they should.
• Popcorn needs a higher temperature to make the moisture cause pressure on the kernel so make sure you heat it up appropriately.
• If using a microwave, be sure to check the power level before popping the corn and match it to the power level recommended on the bag of kernels.