How to Pop Kettle Popcorn in Large Quantities

Never run out of popcorn with a self-enclosed electric kettle popcorn maker.

One of America's time-honored traditions is sitting down for a movie with a nice bowl of popcorn. Oftentimes when you have a movie party with a large number of people, it seems the only way make enough popcorn is to make several successive batches. But by the time you are finished, all of the popcorn is cold and you are worn out from cooking. The best way to make large batches of kettle popcorn is to use an self-enclosed electric kettle popcorn maker, similar to those in movie theater concession stands. The boxed-in cookery allows you to put extra kernels in the kettle because once the popcorn starts popping, it can overflow into the basin at the bottom of the machine. These machines also have self-stirring mechanisms in the kettles and internal warming elements to keep the popcorn from going cold. Smaller kettle popcorn makers for home use are moderately priced and widely available.

Things You'll Need

• Self-enclosed electric kettle popcorn maker
• Oil
• Popcorn kernels
• Salt
• Butter

Instructions

1. Plug in the popcorn maker and open the kettle lid.

2. Turn on the power switch and give the kettle about five minutes to warm up.

3. Turn on the kettle motor switch.

4. Add oil. Vegetable, coconut or grapeseed oil can be used. Use 1/4 cup of oil per gallon of popcorn you wish to produce. Refer to the operator's manual to determine the machine's maximum capacity for one batch.

5. Add the popcorn kernels. Use 2/3 cup of kernels per gallon of popcorn you wish to produce.

6. Close the lid on the kettle and allow the popcorn to pop. The popcorn will begin to overflow and fill the basin of the unit.

7. While the popcorn is popping, heat up enough butter on the stove so it can be easily drizzled on the popcorn once it is served up. Heat up at least 1/3 cup of butter per gallon of popcorn.

8. Once you hear the popping slow, turn off the kettle motor and swivel the kettle to dump out the rest of the popcorn.

9. Portion out servings of popcorn for your friends and family. Let them butter and salt to taste. Keep extra popcorn in the basin of the unit in case someone wants seconds.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that the kettle gets very hot. Only tilt the kettle with the heat-resistant handle, not by grabbing the kettle itself. Wear oven mitts when handling.

References

• Danny Thomas Party Rentals: Popcorn Machine Tips
• Simply Recipes: Perfect Popcorn Recipe

Resources

• Walmart: Old-Fashioned Movie Time Kettle Popcorn Maker
• JC Penney: Countertop Kettle Popcorn Maker