How to make movie theater popcorn at home?

[Kurbsyde]

I've put butter on microwave popcorn before and it shriveled up on me.

Microwaves are crazy.

Maybe the butter was too hot when I added it, this was years and years ago, I had that result, so I never gave it another thought.

The best popcorn I've ever had was from a case iron pot, heated with vegetable oil, and covered in melted butter (not Imperial, real butter) and salt.

I do think it has a lot to do with the way the seeds are heated though.

You should look into buying one of these, they are cool, and I still use mine I bought years ago.
http://www.amazon.com/Hand-Crank-Popcorn-Popper-Quart/dp/B000ST0WZQ
(not this exact model, mine was from a fund raiser, but this type of pan)
And if you have kids, you can involve them in turning the crank.

[gertwert]

Can you make movie theater popcorn at home with the microwave popcorn if you just put some melted butter on it? Thanks in advance!!

[Steven]

You can, but if you really want the theater flavor, don't go with microwave popcorn. You can purchase the exact same oil, popcorn, and salt seasoning that the theaters use if you look around. Then use a heavy pot of the stove.

For example, the page I linked to has a wide selection of ingredients. This particular company apparently only sells cases. However, practically every large city will have a place where restaurants can purchase ingredients, and they will often sell retail as well. On the West Coast of the US, the Sysco chain has "Smart & Final" and "Cash & Carry" stores that sell to both businesses and regular retail.

I personally prefer:
http://www.gmpopcorn.com/products/product-description.cfm?pid=2447
(there are other similar brands) because everything's together.

I also like:
http://www.gmpopcorn.com/products/product-description.cfm?pid=1859
and
http://www.gmpopcorn.com/products/product-description.cfm?pid=1861
I have some in the cupboard right now.

Finally, there are two main kinds of popcorn:
Regular - http://www.gmpopcorn.com/products/product-description.cfm?pid=1850
and
Mushroom - http://www.gmpopcorn.com/products/product-description.cfm?pid=1848

Regular popcorn blows up like a flower and is perfect for snacking - all the little nooks and crannies hold plenty of flavoring. But all the little bits break off easily, which is why you end up with fragments at the bottom.

Mushroom popcorn blows up like a little ball and is better for things like caramel popcorn, popcorn balls, etc., or for shipping, since it stands up better. It's what you'll get if you buy a tin of flavored popcorn.

Hope this helps

[Lalalalalalalala]

Put oil in a large pot. Put 3 kernels in. When they pop you know the oil's hot enough to start. Add kernels (two handfuls-ish). Shake pot occasionally. Figure it out from there.

I know that's not for the microwave, but it's better.

[Kurbsyde]

I've put butter on microwave popcorn before and it shriveled up on me.
Microwaves are crazy.

Maybe the butter was too hot when I added it, this was years and years ago, I had that result, so I never gave it another thought.

The best popcorn I've ever had was from a case iron pot, heated with vegetable oil, and covered in melted butter (not Imperial, real butter) and salt.

I do think it has a lot to do with the way the seeds are heated though.

You should look into buying one of these, they are cool, and I still use mine I bought years ago.
http://www.amazon.com/Hand-Crank-Popcorn-Popper-Quart/dp/B000ST0WZQ
(not this exact model, mine was from a fund raiser, but this type of pan)
And if you have kids, you can involve them in turning the crank.

[Lalalalalalalala]

Put oil in a large pot. Put 3 kernels in. When they pop you know the oil's hot enough to start. Add kernels (two handfuls-ish). Shake pot occasionally. Figure it out from there.

I know that's not for the microwave, but it's better.

[Steven]

You can, but if you really want the theater flavor, don't go with microwave popcorn. You can purchase the exact same oil, popcorn, and salt seasoning that the theaters use if you look around. Then use a heavy pot of the stove.

For example, the page I linked to has a wide selection of ingredients. This particular company apparently only sells cases. However, practically every large city will have a place where restaurants can purchase ingredients, and they will often sell retail as well. On the West Coast of the US, the Sysco chain has "Smart & Final" and "Cash & Carry" stores that sell to both businesses and regular retail.

I personally prefer:
http://www.gmpopcorn.com/products/product-description.cfm?pid=2447
(there are other similar brands) because everything's together.

I also like:
http://www.gmpopcorn.com/products/product-description.cfm?pid=1859
and
http://www.gmpopcorn.com/products/product-description.cfm?pid=1861
I have some in the cupboard right now.

Finally, there are two main kinds of popcorn:
Regular - http://www.gmpopcorn.com/products/product-description.cfm?pid=1850
and
Mushroom - http://www.gmpopcorn.com/products/product-description.cfm?pid=1848

Regular popcorn blows up like a flower and is perfect for snacking - all the little nooks and crannies hold plenty of flavoring. But all the little bits break off easily, which is why you end up with fragments at the bottom.

Mushroom popcorn blows up like a little ball and is better for things like caramel popcorn, popcorn balls, etc., or for shipping, since it stands up better. It's what you'll get if you buy a tin of flavored popcorn.

Hope this helps

[mcozicatm]

in britain we have microwave popcorn,it comes flat in a paper bag and you just put it in the micro and let it pop,and it tastes exactly the same as cinema stuff,but you can also buy the kernels heat some vegetable oil in a large pan,put salt,sugar,whatever you like in the throw in your kernels and let them pop till they pop every 1-2 seconds then its ready and yummy

[Mark]

Sure why not? Try it! Dont forget the salt!