The Popcorn Machine And Some Alternatives !!

Perhaps the most important tool used in cooking popcorn is the popcorn machine, without them only uncooked hard kernels would exist, discouraging most people from eating them. Many different popcorn machines exist from the common household microwave when cooking the famous microwave popcorn, to large machines found in theaters and entertainment venues, to the air popped machines that completely omit necessary mediums like oil. Today's popcorn production process is almost unchanged from the methods and machines used when popcorn was first mass-produced and introduced to the public at the turn of the last century. These popcorn machines utilize the water molecules inside the kernels, use heat from the machine via electricity and a medium (such as oil) to crack open the kernels.

The first popcorn cooking devices utilized fire to create the heat necessary to heat the popcorn, traditionally achieved in a giant kettle or cast iron skillet. The first commercial mobile units resemble modern commercial units of today, except the first units had large wheels and still utilized fire as a heat source. The kernels must reach at least 150 degrees Celsius where they essentially explode, resulting in "pop corn", however some might argue that a temperature above 200 degrees Celsius creates the best conditions for popcorn.

The various types of popcorn machines from the traditional to the microwave each produce popcorn but sometimes at the sacrifice of quality. The fastest and easiest method for popcorn is no doubt the microwave, which results in low quality and highly fattening popcorn in a time frame of just under 2 minutes to 3.5 minutes. Perhaps the healthiest method utilizes only hot air, omitting the fatty oils, and is referred to as air popped popcorn creating a light and crispy corn, but often is just bland and plain. Another method is the old-fashioned stove top popcorn, which can be popped in either the one time use package from the 70's or in a specifically designed pot, and can be a delightful treat and interesting way to enjoy popcorn. The most famous (and my personal favorite) way to cook popcorn is using the popcorn machine, or sometimes called popcorn maker, and can be found in homes and entertainment establishments. This method requires an investment of oil, a large bag of kernels, and is sometimes not the healthiest method but creates delicious great tasting popcorn. Popcorn machines can be purchased from your local big box retailer or from famous online shopping sites at bargain prices, in sizes from large commercial machines to the smaller home units. Either way when enjoying popcorn you can't go wrong when it's cooked in a popcorn machine.

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