# Is popcorn cooked with a Hot Air Popper really the healthiest method?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-popcorn-cooked-with-a-hot-air-popper-really-the-healthiest-method/573774>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 7, 2011, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-popcorn-cooked-with-a-hot-air-popper-really-the-healthiest-method/573774 "2011-03-07T13:19:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 3

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-popcorn-cooked-with-a-hot-air-popper-really-the-healthiest-method/573774/41 "2011-03-11T10:28:57Z")

</div>

Thanks, I’ll try that next time. What if my microwave doesn’t have a popcorn button?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-popcorn-cooked-with-a-hot-air-popper-really-the-healthiest-method/573774/42 "2011-03-11T11:35:16Z")

</div>

> [@AaronX](#):
>
> Thanks, I’ll try that next time. What if my microwave doesn’t have a popcorn button?

If it’s less than 10 years old and not one of those smaller, convenience store ovens, 3.5 minutes should be fine. If you don’t want to buy a package of bags, ask for a wine bag at the grocery store, they work great!  
If it’s older than 10 years, try 4 minutes and wait for the popping to slow down considerably around the 3.5 mark.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-popcorn-cooked-with-a-hot-air-popper-really-the-healthiest-method/573774/43 "2011-03-11T15:58:55Z")

</div>

Sometimes old popcorn can be “revived” with some water. Put the kernels in a jar or sealable container, maybe even a Ziploc bag, add a small amount of water (and I mean small, you don’t want 'em floating), and shake to distribute. Then, leave it alone for a while. The kernels will reabsorb the water and stand a better chance of popping. Don’t leave your corn in a wet container, though; that’s just asking for mold. After the absorption time has passed, move your kernels to a dry container.

I love my air popper. Got a new one for Christmas, which replaced the 14-year-old one I’d been using. That was the first appliance I bought in my old apartment. hehe. Microwave popcorn is okay, but in my book, the microwave is where you melt the butter while the corn’s poppin’.

(On the metal staples: it amuses me how paranoid people can be about metal in the microwave. Seriously, look inside your microwave: what are the walls made of? Like a little staple is going to kill the whole appliance. heh.)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-popcorn-cooked-with-a-hot-air-popper-really-the-healthiest-method/573774/44 "2011-03-11T17:22:50Z")

</div>

Can popcorn be brined? That is, soak the kernels in water/flavors that migrate into the popcorn? That would make the air-popped corn taste better.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-popcorn-cooked-with-a-hot-air-popper-really-the-healthiest-method/573774.md?page=2)