How to Pop Popcorn in an Aluminum Pan

A bowl of hot popcorn is a good treat when watching movies.

For most people , popping popcorn involves putting a package into the microwave. But, for popcorn aficionados, the microwave variety doesn't quite measure up. The stove top method may be a thing of the past, but shaking the pot over a burner on the stove, is nostalgic for many, and produces a tasty treat for movie night. Choosing the proper equipment yields the best product. An aluminum pan is a suitable receptacle for popping corn; however, an aluminum pan should not be used over high heat. Does this Spark an idea?

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3-qt. aluminum pan with a lid
3 tbsp. canola or corn oil
1/3 cup popcorn kernels
2 tbsp. melted butter (optional)
Salt to taste
Large bowl
Oven mitts

Instructions

- 1
  
  Pour the oil into the saucepan. Place a few kernels of popcorn into the oil and cover the pan.
- 2
  
  Heat the oil and kernels over medium-high heat on the stove top until the kernels pop.
- 3
  
  Remove the lid. Add the remaining popcorn kernels.
- 4
  
  Cover the pan and remove from the heat for 30 seconds to bring all kernels to the same temperature.
- 5
  
  Place the pan back on the burner.
- 6
  
  Shake the pan back and forth over the heat once the kernels begin to pop. Hold the lid on the pot with one hand and the handle in the other hand when shaking the pan. Listen for the popping to slow to one to two seconds between pops.
- 7
  
  Remove the pan from the heat. Continue to shake the pot until popping stops completely. Remove the lid. Pour popped corn into a large bowl.
- 8
  
  Add butter to the empty hot pan to melt it. Pour the butter over the popped corn and toss to distribute. Add salt to taste.

Tips & Warnings

A loose-fitting lid allows the steam to escape making drier, crisper popcorn.
Oven mitts protect your hands from the heat of the pan, as well as the hot steam that escapes during popping. Place the hot pan on a heat-resistant trivet after removing it from the heat to protect your counter.