# So how do I make decent popcorn at home **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [January 7, 2025, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679 "2025-01-07T18:15:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/81 "2025-01-10T18:16:15Z")
It has an expiration date like every other junk food and sells fast. Movie theater popcorn is far worse as far as being old and stale. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/82 "2025-01-10T18:22:42Z")
> [@salinqmind1](#): > > Movie theater popcorn is far worse as far as being old and stale. I know you said your Dad used to run some. Which was awhile (decades?) ago. I am out on a limb here a bit since I’m not a big movie attender now in the modern era. But when I did go to the movies with any regularity it sure _looked_ like they were popping right then and there in those large countertop machines. Times have certainly changed since then and I don’t know in which direction. Heck, maybe I’ll go to a movie today just to sample the popcorn. Good a use as any for a cool day. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/83 "2025-01-10T18:44:14Z")
No idea! I guess some do, some don’t. My dad was in charge of a dozen movie theaters so maybe it was thought easier to make and distribute popcorn from a central location…He liked the drive-in most, the concession used to make pizza right there! He brought home a huge can of shredded mozzarella and another of sauce when he retired (they gave it to him). ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/84 "2025-01-10T18:52:26Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Health Police doing drive-by: > > POPCORN is a very healthy snack. You can eat giant handfuls of it without guilt. > > All the grease you put on it, isn’t. Of all the mentioned choices, probably plain butter is the healthiest. Flavacol has horrible chemicals in it I wouldn’t feed to a dog. Coconut oil is not good for you at all. > > Read labels, make better choices. > > – Health Police, waving goodbye. I’m comfortable with dying in my 70s ---
**Author:** ![Nayna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ebca7d/32.png) [@Nayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nayna)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/85 "2025-01-10T19:23:53Z")
Mind blown. I’ll try this weekend, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Nayna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ebca7d/32.png) [@Nayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nayna)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/86 "2025-01-10T19:26:50Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Does anyone else have another interesting term for the (semi-)dud kernels? I used to buy bags of them (semi-popped) from a little gift shop in Cape Cod, and they were called “Pop Nots.” ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/87 "2025-01-10T19:33:21Z")
In the name of science(!) I just made a batch in my silicone microwave popping bowl using ghee as the oil. Tasty, but not unusually so. I seemed to get better popping action than with regular peanut oil, but I’d need to run a control trial to know for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/88 "2025-01-10T19:37:14Z")
> [@Nayna](#): > > I have one of these. It’s great, but there’s a part inside that you have to replace each time you use the bowl, and I’m currently out of them. So, that looked cool, and I bought one off Amazon. It arrived about an hour ago, and my first batch came out pretty well, very few unpopped kernels. It’s a bit smaller than my usual batch of popcorn, though, so I ended up with way too much butter on it! But I’ll note, they say you can re-use the insert for multiple batches. 8 times or so if you use oil, maybe up to 16 without oil. You’re supposed to wipe it down after each use if you’re using oil. ---
**Author:** ![Nayna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ebca7d/32.png) [@Nayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nayna)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/89 "2025-01-10T20:01:25Z")
I haven’t used mine in so long I’m not sure if I misunderstood, or if they’ve improved the quality of the insert. So much experimenting to do! It is a cool little appliance! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/90 "2025-01-10T21:18:36Z")
> [@Nayna](#): > > Mind blown. I’ll try this weekend, It’s possible that the corn will pop more slowly or unevenly than what you’re used to, so keep an eye on it. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2025, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/91 "2025-01-11T19:11:47Z")
We skipped our oil popper and tried it on the stove top and it came out well. Next we’ll try adding the corn when the oil is hot enough for the 3 kernel test. Our oil popper just might be posted on FreeCycle soon, which is good because we don’t like having many (or any!) unique-use appliances. 2 NFL playoff games today. A good popcorn opportunity! ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2025, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/92 "2025-01-12T07:53:41Z")
I usually don’t care for microwave popcorn either but I’ve had luck with [Black Jewell’s](https://blackjewell.com/store/#microwave). For one thing, they a plain kind with no added salt or butter/butter substitute so I can add what I want. It also has an excellent popped-to-popped kernel ratio per bag. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2025, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/93 "2025-01-12T15:06:30Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > I’ve heard its better to use Ghee than to use butter due to the water content Hubby wants butter drizzled on top. I’m not a big fan of butter. Therefore. Start warming the Ghee on the stove in a small sauce pan with spout. Get out two bowls for the popcorn. Measure out kernels into a cup. Put sunflower oil in stainless pot and add 3 kernels (similar to California\_jobcase’s [popcorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/61) method). When the 3 kernels pop, add the kernels from the cup. Add lid, but make sure the steam can escape. When the popcorn popping slows down, distribute popcorn in two bowls. Hubby puts Ghee and salt on his. I dose my popcorn with Hidden Valley seasoning. Or cheddar seasoning blend. Whichever I have available. Finely grated hard cheese, such as parmesan also works. Re-use cup for old maids. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Before this thread I’d never heard the term “old maid”. Are those unpopped or semi-popped, or both? I use it for unpopped. Semi-popped can be semi-eaten. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2025, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/94 "2025-01-12T18:55:43Z")
Black Jewell’s seems interesting, but at the cost point, I’ll stick to the brown paper bag popper for the relatively few times I allow myself the empty (but delicious) calories of popcorn at home! ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/95 "2025-01-13T15:13:56Z")
Wow! I’ve never looked for it anywhere else but the Boy Scouts! It’s a bit expensive. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/96 "2025-01-13T23:48:05Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Read labels, make better choices. > > – Health Police, waving goodbye. I’m in the rather puzzling position of a) having hypertension, and b) being told to eat a bit more salt (orthostatic hypotension / POTS means I need to keep more fluid in my system). So I don’t sweat (hah!) adding salt to my popcorn. There are people who argue that coconut oil has health benefits. Dunno about that. But butter just TASTES good. May not be good for COOKING the popcorn (except the ghee version as others mentioned), but for flavoring it, yeah, nothing beats that. I’m always a little horrified at the stuff they offer to add to your popcorn at the movie theatre. I decline. The plain stuff, however they cook it, is deadly enough, though that of course doesn’t stop me from eating a bucketful. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2025, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/97 "2025-01-13T23:58:08Z")
Yeah, the secret ingredient of pretty much any wonderful restaurant or great cook or amazing baker is just butter. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2025, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/98 "2025-01-14T00:52:24Z")
and sugar ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2025, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/99 "2025-01-14T00:55:28Z")
and lemon. But mostly, butter. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2025, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679/100 "2025-01-14T01:22:40Z")
I like popcorn popped on the stove in a pan with some oil, then liberally sprinkled with smoked paprika. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-make-decent-popcorn-at-home/1012679.md?page=6)