Is your next vacation or family movie night approaching, and you are wondering how to make your favorite snack, delicious creamy popcorn? Are you one of those who order popcorn from a local store or the DIY type who gets little burns from metal poppers? Perhaps you use a popcorn bag that litters everywhere.
Silicone popcorn poppers are here to help. They are your go-to alternative to solving all your popcorn-making problems. They don’t require oil and can easily be accompanied by your favorite spices or flavors for a unique taste.
It is the perfect way to pop popcorn kernels! This article discusses all you need to know about silicone microwave popcorn poppers. At the end of this guide, you’ll discover you’ve been missing out.
One thing most kitchen cooks testify to is that they get to eat excellent, creamy popcorn all through the week with less energy. That sounds great! Let’s delve into how to use silicone popcorn poppers.
What is Silicone Popcorn Popper?
Silicone popcorn popper like all other poppers is used to pop kernels into edible popcorns. It is lightweight and can be easily moved from one place to another with less energy spent. Very durable, portable for making popcorn.
Things to love about Silicone Popper
Silicone Popper are portable
Of all types of popcorn poppers, silicone poppers are the most portable of all popcorn poppers. It can be collapsed to three different sizes when it is not in use and when you need it, you can de-collapsed it.
They are easy to wash
They do not have black stains unlike metal poppers. After use, all you need to clean is a warm soapy water plus your hand. Perhaps, you’ve got a dishwasher. Silicone popper are dishwasher safe
They do not burn your popcorn
These microwave poppers pop all the kernel without burning the popcorn. You’d agree with me that it is reasonable to opt for this popper for business use. My point stands, it will not burn your popcorn. And business wise, it’s economical.
Measuring guide and lid
You will see a measurement fixed to its surface on the bottom of the popper. This will guide you in preparing the right amount of popcorn. As a result, waste is minimal.
In traditional poppers, measurement is outsourced to a measuring cup, which is another cost. With a silicone popcorn popper, you have your popper and measuring guide together.
This is in line with the familiar adage that with a single stone, you kill a bird. It is the wisest decision to make economically. Now, you may want to ask if the measurement guide on the silicone popcorn popper is correct, accurate, or practical. Yes, they are.
According to Matt Turner, a full-time food blogger and YouTuber with over 10 years of experience making delicious meals and snacks, “Half a cup of popcorn kernel will be too much. In fact, the popcorn will spill. Between one-quarter and one-half is safe. Your popcorn will fill the popper without pouring into the microwave.”
Free of harmful chemicals
They are non-toxic and free of dangerous chemicals like BPA. This is because they are made with food-grade silicone. Food-grade silicone is a type of silicone that has undergone a series of scientific tests by the United States Food and Drug Administrative Control (FDA).
This is to determine its suitability for contact with food. The test results revealed that food grade silicone doesn’t leach harmful chemicals. Since silicone popcorn poppers are made with food-grade silicone, it is free of chemicals.
Time saving
Popping popcorn with the traditional pop on the stove takes twice as much time as popping popcorn with silicone poppers. On average, silicone poppers take a maximum of three minutes to fully pop popcorn.
According to Cook Kelly, if you used the olden pot method, the kernels inside the pot would just begin popping at precisely the right time. In contrast, using the silicone popcorn popper, your popcorn is ready within three minutes.
A silicone popcorn popper allows you to enjoy your homemade popcorn faster and more frequently, eliminating the discouragement of stress, burn, and excess time.
How to use Silicone Popper
Generally, making delicious and fluffy popcorn is not a tedious task. If you are using a popcorn bag, putting the bag inside your microwave does it. At most, it requires you to watch for minutes and then remove it from the microwave. The same applies to the stove or popcorn machine. There is no vigorous stirring, boiling, or frying.
In like manner, making popcorn with your silicone popper is a simple task. However, due to the nature of silicone, it’s best to know how to handle it.
This brings us to the question: How do we use silicone poppers? Based on our vast knowledge of the nature of silicone, I know what to do and what not to do. Let’s start with what to do.
The Do’s
Preparing Popcorn With Silicone Popper
To make your tasty and fluffy popcorn, pour your kernel into the popper and follow the measurement guide provided at the bottom. The one-quarter mark will make popcorn half the popper, and the half mark will make popcorn complete of the popper.
Furthermore, after you have poured the kernel into the popper, cover the kernel with the kid that comes with the silicone popper. Although you shouldn’t press the lid into the popper, place it gently inside it. Now, it’s time to pop the kernel.
Popping the kernel is so easy. All you do is place the popper into the microwave and supply power for about 2 minutes. In most cases, after a few seconds inside the microwave, you will start hearing the kernel make a pop sound.
Your delicious homemade popcorn is ready in two minutes. However, do not touch the popper with your bare hands. For safety, wear a glove to prevent burn, or leave it to cool for two minutes before you bring it out of the microwave.
Once it’s cooled, remove the popper from the microwave and place it on a table, slab, or other balanced surface. Add your seasoning and butter for a creamy taste.
Cleaning the Silicone Popper
There are two methods for cleaning your popper. You can either hand wash it or clean it with a dishwasher. Both methods work great! For effective cleaning, you need a bowl plus warm, soapy water to get rid of the dirt and oil stains.
Furthermore, cleaning takes little time; within 10 minutes, you are done cleaning your silicone popper.
Note: Do not scratch or use sharp objects, such as a sharp sponge, to remove tough stains. The best thing to do is soak in hot, soapy water and leave for minutes before scrubbing.
The Don’t
● Do not place your silicone popper on the stove, hot plate or cooker. Doing so will destroy your popper.
● Do not use metals or any other sharp objects near your popper. These objects will destroy the surface of the popper
● Never use bleach or chemicals to clean your popper
● Avoid dry hanging your popper. After washing, you can dry it by placing it upside down.
● Prevent direct exposure to sunlight for outdoor use.
Final Thoughts
Silicone popcorn poppers provide immediate satisfaction with microwave popcorn in an eco-friendly, waste-free format. Right in your home, you enjoy tasty popcorn while watching your favourite movie show.
This popper is made with food-grade silicone, 100 per cent free of harmful chemicals like BPA and is LFGB, FDA certified.
This popcorn popper can be flattened and stored inside the cupboard, occupying less space than plastic or metal poppers. In addition, you don’t need an extra tool to prepare your popcorn.
The silicone popper itself has a measuring mark and a lid, which helps to cover the kernels. This popcorn popper pops more than nine cups of popcorn, which is the perfect amount for two people.
The silicone popper can be used in the microwave.
Once the popcorn is poured from the popper, toss the bowl and lid in the dishwasher to rinse any butter, oil, or other topping residue/stains.
Lastly, adding this popcorn popper to your to-do list of items to buy only guarantees a fast and smooth process of making fluffy popcorn with minimal kernels unpopped and burnt.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Can I add oil/butter with popcorn kernel in the Silicone popper before microwaving?
At first my answer to this question was a big no due to the review of people who have experienced fire burns inside of their cabinets because they mixed the kernels with butter oil. However, a few minutes ago I saw a video of a chef applying a little oil with a kernel. To my surprise, the popcorn came out as usual without any fire inside the microwave.
The fire experienced by the reviewers could be as a result of poor silicone popper, faulty microwave and so on. Based on the two experiences, it is best to be sure of your microwave condition and quality of the popper before you decide to mix your kernels with oil. However, when you do, a little oil is enough.
How long does it take to pop popcorn in a silicone popper?
It takes between two- three minutes to pop popcorn in a silicone popper.
Is it safe to pop popcorn in silicone popper?
Yes, it is safe. Silicone popcorn poppers have been approved by the United States FDA. So, it is safe to pop popcorn.
Is Silicone Popcorn Popper collapsible?
Yes, silicone poppers are collapsible. It can be reduced from its full size(9.6 inches) to a medium size (5.7inches) and finally to the smallest size(2.2 inches).
Will Silicone popcorn popper melt?
Silicone poppers will not melt inside the microwave. This type of popper is made with food-grade silicone which can withstand up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit before it melts. The average temperature required to pop the kernel is less than 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
For precision, in a video review of the popper, the temperature of the popcorn and the popper was tested with a thermometer. The thermometer revealed the temperature of the popcorn to be 212 degrees Fahrenheit and that of the popper to be 153 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures are lesser than the maximum temperature a silicone can withstand. On this note, silicone will not melt.
Is Silicone popcorn popper dishwasher safe?
Yes, silicone popcorn poppers can be washed inside a dishwasher without any side effects.