Contents
How to Avoid Burning Your Microwave Popcorn – Tips and Tricks
If you’re a fan of microwave popcorn, you know how frustrating it can be to take it out of the microwave and find that it’s burnt to a crisp. Not only does it ruin your snack, but it can also make a mess in your microwave. But don’t worry, there are some tips and tricks you can use to avoid burning your microwave popcorn.
Choose the Right Popcorn
It’s important to choose the right popcorn for the microwave. Look for a brand that is labeled specifically for microwave use, as these typically have the right amount of oil and seasoning to prevent burning. Avoid using regular popcorn kernels or pre-packaged popcorn that is not labeled for microwave use.
Use the Right Amount of Time
One of the biggest mistakes people make when microwaving popcorn is using too much time. Follow the instructions on the package carefully, and don’t add any extra time. Remember that all microwaves are different, so you may need to adjust the time slightly. But as a general rule, it’s better to err on the side of using less time than too much.
Listen for the Popping to Slow Down
A good way to tell when your popcorn is ready is by listening to the popping. As the popcorn pops, it will start off quick and loud, but will eventually slow down. When you hear the popping start to slow down, that’s a good indication that your popcorn is ready.
Stop the Microwave Early
If you’re not sure if your popcorn is ready, it’s better to stop the microwave early than let it burn. Open the microwave door and check the popcorn. If it’s not quite done, you can put it back in for a few more seconds. But if it’s already starting to burn, it’s better to just throw it away and start over.
Introduction
Popcorn is a popular snack that can be enjoyed anytime. It can be easily prepared by microwave, but often, it ends up burning easily. This blog post will provide you with some useful tips and tricks that can help you avoid burning your microwave popcorn.
Understanding Your Microwave Power Level
Most microwaves come with several power settings that can be adjusted to suit different cooking needs. The higher the power level, the faster your popcorn will cook, but it can also increase the chances of burning. It’s always better to use a lower power setting to cook popcorn, to avoid burning it. There are different settings on different microwaves but a 50% power setting works well for most microwaves.
Using The Correct Popcorn Setting
Most microwaves come with a built-in popcorn button or setting that can be used to cook popcorn. The popcorn setting is designed to heat the bag of popcorn for a specific time, based on the volume of kernels in the bag. It’s important to read the instructions on the packet of microwave popcorn you are using and set your microwave to the recommended time for perfect popping. However, not all microwaves may have the popcorn button so you can also select a timer setting based on the volume of kernels in the bag.
Listen To The Popping Sounds
One of the easiest ways to tell if your popcorn is done is by listening to the popping sounds. As the kernels pop and increase, you will hear a popping noise that gradually slows down. When the popping noise slows down to one or two seconds between pops, you can stop your microwave to avoid burning your popcorn.
Shake the Bag After Cooking
Once your microwave popcorn has finished popping, you can take out the bag and shake it before opening it. This will help to distribute the unpopped kernels to the bottom of the bag. This way, you can avoid burning the perfectly popped popcorn and avoid breaking your teeth biting on an unpopped kernel.
Cleaning Your Microwave After Burning Popcorn
If you have ever burnt your microwave popcorn, you know how bad it can smell. The burnt smell often lingers in your microwave for days and can be hard to get rid of. To avoid this unpleasant smell, clean your microwave after every popcorn session. If you happen to burn your popcorn, then clean your microwave immediately by using a mixture of baking soda and water to remove the burnt popcorn smell. To clean, mix about 4 tablespoons of baking soda into a cup of water, microwave for 3 minutes, then let it cool. Afterward, wipe the insides of the microwave clean with a damp cloth.
Conclusion
By following these simple tips and tricks, you can avoid burning your microwave popcorn and have a pleasurable snack every time. Remember to listen to the popping sounds, use the right power and popcorn settings, shake the bag once it’s done and clean your microwave after every use to avoid a burnt odor. Now you can enjoy your popcorn without the worry of burning it.
Links
Tips for Perfectly Popped Microwave Popcorn
Choose the Right Bag
When selecting microwave popcorn, look for bags that are specifically designed for microwave use and have a “popcorn” button on your microwave. These bags usually have the proper ventilation to make sure the popcorn doesn’t get burned.
Listen Carefully
When you’re heating up popcorn in the microwave, listen carefully to the popping sound. When the sound slows to about one pop per two seconds, it’s probably done. If you keep it in the microwave beyond this point, you risk burning the popcorn.
Avoid Overcrowding
Once you’ve got the popcorn in the bag, make sure you don’t overfill it or crowd the kernels. If there are too many kernels on the bottom of the bag, they won’t pop properly and could burn.
Shake it Up
When the bag is done popping, open the microwave and carefully remove the bag. Hold the top of the bag tightly closed, give it a shake to distribute any unpopped kernels to the bottom, then open the bag carefully.
For more information on microwave popcorn, check out the Microwave Popcorn page on Wikipedia.
How to Avoid Burning Your Microwave Popcorn
-
Use the Popcorn Button if Available
Many microwaves come with a popcorn button that is specifically designed to cook popcorn. This button typically sets the cooking time and power level for optimal popcorn popping. Make sure to read your microwave’s instruction manual to check if it has this button.
-
Listen for Popping Sounds
It’s important to stay close to your microwave while cooking popcorn. When the popping sounds slow down to about 2-3 seconds between pops, it’s a good indication your popcorn is ready. Avoid leaving your popcorn in the microwave for too long as it will start to burn.
-
Check the Bag Instructions
Every brand of microwave popcorn has slightly different cooking times and instructions. Make sure to read the instructions on the bag carefully to know the right cooking time for your microwave’s wattage.
-
Don’t Overload Microwave
Avoid cooking more than 1-2 bags of popcorn at once. Overloading your microwave can cause uneven cooking and burned popcorn.
-
Use a Microwave-Safe Bowl
If using bulk popcorn, make sure to use a microwave-safe bowl or container. Avoid using paper bags or containers that can catch fire in the microwave.
Tips and Tricks for Avoiding Burnt Microwave Popcorn
- Choose the right power level on your microwave
- Read the instructions on the popcorn package carefully
- Use the correct amount of popcorn kernels for your microwave
- Listen for the popping sounds and stop the microwave accordingly
- Avoid leaving the popcorn in the microwave for too long
- Consider investing in a popcorn popper specifically made for microwaves
