Popcorn maker vs. theatre popcorn?

Question

I've been making my own popcorn at home with a popcorn maker, but somehow they never turn out as crunchy/crispy as theatre/store bought popcorn. Why is that? Is it because my popcorn maker suck or I got bad kernels?

Answer 1

the salt used is called "flavocol", a butter flavored salt (check your local foodservice or part suply store). yes there is canola oil used also.

The more oil used will make the corn crunchier and obtain a higher saturation of yellow. of course you can use too much oil.

You will want your kettle to begin to smoke then add the oil and kernels. Do not try to get every last kernel popped, dump the corn just before you start getting random popped kernels.

I also see no reason to buy gormet kernels, we had local delivery of corn. in 50lb bags. Nothing special, just corn for popping.

Im not sure about anywhere else, but we never reused popped corn. corn is cheap and people will not tolerate stale corn, nor would I.

Answer 2

I agree with your other answers on the OIL in the process. Not all popcorn is created equal but you can probably bet that the theaters aren't buying premium corn to go with the premium price. SAMS Club and a couple other places (even eBay) sell the kettle type of popcorn maker. THIS is the secret along with the flavored oil and other additives that give it that salty yellow look. Having that stirring mechanism constantly dragging the popped kernels through the flavoring then being pushed up as it pops is the only way to duplicate the real MOVIE THEATER buttered popcorn.

Always use FRESH popcorn for best results. So if you don't make popcorn that often stay away from the large bags as you tend not to throw away things like popcorn that might be better made for the birds.

Answer 3

Maybe it is how you are storing it. I read that we're supposed to get a big glass jar, put some water in the bottom, pour the popcorn in, and store it in the frig. I tried it once, didn't see a difference. I see what they were saying, it is the moisture in the kernal that heats, expands and then explodes. If the kernal is dry. it will not explode well. I tried different brands, the generic from the grocery wasn't doing well. I bought the Wal-mart kind, and it really popped well, except I thought the kernals were
tuff. [ I am talking about bulk popcorn in a bag.] I bought microwave popcorn at Aldi's, and all the kernals popped, and it isn't terribly salty like some of the other brands.

Answer 4

theatre popcorn is a bad idea. First if you get there when they are just opening up you may catch them filling up the pop corn machines with yesterdays popcorn from big trash bags. They get it crunchy (back to life from the stale stage) by turning up the heat on the heat lamps. So try just adding some more heat and less oil or butter.

Answer 5

It is probably the kernels. Try buying gourmet ones. I think the one I like is Black Cat or White cat or something like that. It's hard to find good popping corn, it sits on the shelves and dries out because most people buy microwave. Just an FYI, theater popcorn is really bad or you, one bag is equivalent to 6 quarter pounders, if you add popcorn topping it raises it to 8 qps. I just found this out on the food network the other day and it totally pissed me off. I knew theater popcorn wasn't good for me, but I didn't know it was so bad.

Answer 6

Did you ever notice they ask do you want butter flavor on your popcorn?! It's not butter. It's oil. Plus they use oil to pop the corn not hot air. You want awesome popcorn at home. Use buttered flavored oil from Orville Redenbacker's. And popcorn salt. That's almost the same. I use a covered electric pan. Remember to shake it like crazy when they start to pop or it will burn!

Answer 7

Still a mystery but, the theatre popcorn still the best...
Butter used, salt quantity and quality (and I think they have lower quality), the machine, the time waiting at the crystal machine, the recycle of old and new...
I don´t know but those are much better...

Answer 8

theatre popcorn has a certain kind of salt/flavoring, some popcorn is cheap and not fluffy, try a better brand and look for flavored salts like the butter-flavored ones

Answer 9

popcorn has to be cooked in oil in order for the flavor to stick, if your popcorn maker is one that uses oil, buy a different brand of butter/cheddar seasoning

Answer 10

Personally I prefer microwave popcorn than either of the two.