# Way to make popcorn with no oil or disposable gadget? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 27, 2012, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263 "2012-12-27T09:10:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/1 "2012-12-27T09:10:46Z")
I like popcorn and I like to make it at home but I don’t like too much oil or spending money on one time use disposable pads for the microwave. Is there a way or a gadget that is permanent to make oil free or at least less oil popcorn at home? ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/2 "2012-12-27T09:24:03Z")
Would a hot-air popper suit you? ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/3 "2012-12-27T10:03:13Z")
I had a hot air popper and loved it. The little container where I could put in some butter to melt it never worked too well but I like unbuttered popcorn just as well. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/4 "2012-12-27T10:36:15Z")
You can also make popcorn in a dry pan; it takes a minute or two longer, you’ll have somewhat more unpopped kernels, and you’ve got to be really careful about burning, but otherwise it works well. That said, I generally use about half as much oil as the popcorn calls for when making pan-popped, and it’s never been a problem. A lot of the oil seems to stay in the pan (it’s not obvious, but run a paper towel over it after you remove the popcorn to see) anyway, so I’m not too concerned about the fat content. That said, these are probably the best option these days: [Microwave Popping Bowl](http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-60120-Microwaver-Popcorn/dp/B00004W4UP/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356604418&sr=8-1&keywords=microwave+popping+bowl). No oil, and it’s faster and quieter than an air popper, and doesn’t throw popcorn around the room when it gets bumped. I’m recommending the microwave bowls in general, I don’t know about that specific brand; but I think they’re all basically the same. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/5 "2012-12-27T12:06:39Z")
We used this [microwave popper](http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-60120-Microwaver-Popcorn/dp/B00004W4UP/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356609912&sr=8-1&keywords=microwave+popcorn+popper) at work and it was great. Cheap and functional. We used regular popcorn- no special popcorn or anything. ETA: what **TimeWinder** said. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/6 "2012-12-27T12:24:42Z")
You can also just use a paper bag, scrunched up at the top in the microwave. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/7 "2012-12-27T12:26:42Z")
I just use a plastic bowl in the microwave. I put a disposable plastic or heavy paper plate on the top, with some holes punched in it to vent steam. Parchment paper works too. A wooden or plastic spoon across the top can help keep the popping kernels from blowing the paper off. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/8 "2012-12-27T12:27:48Z")
Hunh, never thought about a paper bag! That’s probably the easiest solution ever 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/9 "2012-12-27T13:20:24Z")
I second the paper bag. There’s nothing magical about the “microwave popcorn” that Orville Redenbacher sells you for $4.00 a box, unless you consider nasty butter-flavored chemicals to be magic. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/10 "2012-12-27T14:33:59Z")
Wouldn’t a paper bag count as a “disposable gadget”? I vote for the hot air popper if you don’t want to throw anything away. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/11 "2012-12-27T15:02:40Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Wouldn’t a paper bag count as a “disposable gadget”? I vote for the hot air popper if you don’t want to throw anything away. If you don’t put any oil on it, technically you can reuse the paper bag. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/12 "2012-12-27T16:08:01Z")
Alton Brown made Plain Brown Popper popcorn in the microwave on his show. Basically 1/4 cup of popcorn, a little oil, and seasonings - put in a larger-size brown paper lunch bag, for 2-3 minutes. He said you can put in 2 staples, or tape the top shut. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/13 "2012-12-27T16:16:07Z")
There’s always those “Whirly Pop” popcorn pots. The stirrer ought to reduce the risk of scorching the kernels due to not using oil. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/14 "2012-12-27T17:10:39Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > There’s always those “Whirly Pop” popcorn pots. The stirrer ought to reduce the risk of scorching the kernels due to not using oil. We have one of these, and it makes the best popcorn ever. Of course, we do use some oil, but it ought to work fine with none…it would just need a bit more care to prevent burning the kernels, as has already been pointed out. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/15 "2012-12-27T17:58:36Z")
I have used this [one](http://www.amazon.com/Presto-04830-PowerPop-Microwave-Multi-Popper/dp/B00005IBXK/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1356631049&sr=1-2&keywords=presto+popcorn+popper) for years. ---
**Author:** ![Aestivalis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Aestivalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aestivalis)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/16 "2012-12-27T18:59:36Z")
I use a paper bag all the time, and it makes perfectly suitable popcorn in 2 minutes in my microwave at home and at work. I would only add oil if you want toppings like salt to stick, or you can choose to add nothing if you like it plain. If you don’t overload the bag, you don’t even need staples, as a couple of folds will keep it closed. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/17 "2012-12-27T19:08:00Z")
Those kitschy hot-air poppers that resemble old-time popcorn carts put out too many unpopped kernels. The popper’s diameter is probably too narrow compared to an old Popcorn Pumper. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/18 "2012-12-27T19:15:29Z")
We found out last night you can’t put anything on popcorn before you put it into the hot air popper. Plain popcorn only, otherwise it burns and fails to pop, and what does isn’t worth it. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/19 "2012-12-27T19:34:39Z")
I just use a gladware Family-size bowl and put some popcorn in it and put it in the microwave. I buy the 50 lb bag of popcorn at Samsclub and it takes care of my popcorn needs for a year. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263/20 "2012-12-27T19:35:58Z")
Another vote for the hot air “Popcorn Pumper”. I do not know how old ours is, but it still works like a charm. Measure out dry, plain popcorn, then pour into the machine, popcorn swirls and pops and eventually spills out right into a waiting bowl (butter spray and salt or other powdered flavorings to taste as it comes out). Nothing to clean up from the popping, proper, except maybe a few unpopped kernels. WAY cheaper than packaged popcorn, and no burned chemical smell lingering around, either. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/way-to-make-popcorn-with-no-oil-or-disposable-gadget/645263.md?page=2)