Popcorn

[mcaswell]

On sailing trips, we take a generator for battery charging and for powering the microwave (and other AC loads). I'd also like to be able to go on some short and simple overnight trips this summer, sans generator. However, one necessity is freshly popped popcorn to go with our nightly movie.

Is it possible to pop popcorn on the propane stove, or maybe on a Magma grill?

--Michael

 

[j_schoenfeld]

I think popcorn was invented after the microwave........

 

[Steve Franken]

Jiffy Pop

Jiffy Pop. Popcorn in a pan you head over a stove. This link has place to search for where it's available near you.

http://www.conagrafoods.com/consumer/brands/getBrand.do?page=jiffy_pop

 

[tsmwebb]

You're joking, right?

If not, the answer is yes, you can. You need a covered pan, and if you've never popped popcorn on a stove before don't use your favorite pan. Add a bit of oil to the pan (I like to use a decent olive oil) pour in a little popcorn cover and apply heat (you can pre-heat the oil and I think that gives better results but you don't need to). After a bit the popcorn will begin to pop. If you've put a bunch of corn into the pan the pan will quickly begin to overflow. Remove the pan from the heat, when the popping has slowed very carefully open a small gap between the pan the it's lid and shake out the excess popped corn into your bowl. Put the pan back onto the burner until all the popcorn is popped. With a bit of practice you should be able to pop all the corn in less time than you could in a microwave and, because you'll use good oil, with better tasting results... Experiment with the amount of oil and popcorn and heat and try shaking the pan while the popcorn is cooking. You've got it right when all the corn pops and none of it burns.

But, you knew that.... No?

--Tom.

 

[mcaswell]

No, I'm not joking. It's been perhaps 20 years since I've made popcorn "the old fashioned way", but I'm sure it will come back to me. I guess I should have worded my question differently... will the propane burner on the boat (which I have yet to even boil water with) pop popcorn efficiently?

--Michael

 

[Hermit Scott]

I didn't know about that. I wanted to be a boy scout but my mom was a Jehova's witness. Look at all the things i have missed out on; Birthdays, Christmas and pop corn on an open flame.
My wife is a health food nut. She would like the idea of using olive oil with the popcorn.
Edit:I just told her, she said it sounds dangerous! lol

 

[Joe]

Geez.......... just buy a bag of popcorn and read the directions. You don't need a microwave.... just a sauce pan with a lid and little cooking oil. Salt & butter to taste. In fact it will be better than the microwave stuff. Haven't you ever been to the movies?

 

[Shell]

Hey Joe,
Movie popcorn is not usaully not even made on premises. At least in the NY metro area. The popcorn come in what look like trash bags. Poped in a chemical mix by the companies popcorn vender. Then dumped in the "popcorn display" dispenser.

On my boat I have a old fashioned popcorn kettle. Put some kernels in. add a little oil. Put it on the stove. As it starts to pop, turn the handle. A minute later, the best popcorn you even had. Add whatever topping you like, salt, pepper, butter and even a chemical mix just like the theater!

 

[Rick Webb]

Jiffy Pop

We get it at our local Target

 

[Ross]

Re: Jiffy Pop

We have popcorn on our boat every time we are out overnight. I have a 2 quart aluminum "wearever " brand sauce pan with a lid. One tablespoon of bacon fat, 1/3 cup of Orville Reddenbach popcorn, medium flame, 2-3 minutes and the popping is finished, dump the corn into a large bowl season it and enjoy. You won't harm a good pan if you pay attention and don't burn the corn.
I DON'T like microwave popcorn. If you want butter flavor then melt some real butter and pour it on.

 

[biggio]

Add butter and

 

[mcaswell]

Geez.......... just buy a bag of popcorn and read the directions. You don't need a microwave.... just a sauce pan with a lid and little cooking oil. Salt & butter to taste. In fact it will be better than the microwave stuff. Haven't you ever been to the movies?

Our previous boat had an alcohol stove, and I vaguely remember reading somewhere that the flame it produced would not be hot enough to effectively pop popcorn (though I never tried it). It sounds like this isn't a problem with a propane stove, which answers my question.

--Michael

 

[Ross]

Add butter and

I like Old Bay or Phillips seafood seasoning.

 

[mcaswell]

I like Old Bay or Phillips seafood seasoning.

Yeah, but biggio is from New Orleans... down here we put Tony Chachere's seasoning on just about everything.

--Michael

 

[kloudie1]

Ahhhhh Tony Chachere's.. Made in Central Louisiana where I grew up.. If something needs seasoning, Tony's will be FINE! There is always a bunch of it on the boat, inside a glass Mason jar to keep it flowing.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Bacon fat???

You obviously don't have to worry about cholesterol!

If you want simple and foolproof, check this out. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiffy_Pop I couldn't find an online source for quantities smaller than a case of 24, but you may be able to find it at grocery stores.

 

[NYSail]

Olive oil and popcorn

Hey hermit...tell your wife not to use olive oil to cook with. When it heats up to high temp. it becomes unhealthy. Olive oil in its raw form uncooked is good for you. Use grape seed oil instead for your popcorn...can handle the high temps.

 

[Ross]

Re: Olive oil and popcorn

if you were careful about choosing your genes you don't have to be concerned about cholesterol.

 

[Ross]

Re: Olive oil and popcorn

The problem I always had with the Jiffy poppers was that the pan is very thin and will develop hot spots on a gas flame. As a boy we used a cast iron skillet and since then i have used a heavy aluminum sauce pot. The temperatures needed are not extraordinary, 360-375 degrees f. is plenty.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

The problem I always had with the Jiffy poppers was that the pan is very thin and will develop hot spots on a gas flame.

Shaking it solves that problem, Ross.

Peanut oil is best for high heat cooking....grapeseed oil is expensive...for something like popcorn, it's a pretentious waste of money.

And genetics can't overcome a high fat diet.