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Popcorn Machines

Agreed that the Flavocol is the non-negotiable. It's what the Popsmith packets include.

I don't disagree with any of your findings, @josh, and as an FYI, the Franklin's Gourmet/Popsmith guys actually travel to their source farms each year to remain in contact with the small farms they source from, so their packets are not far removed from what you're sourcing separately.

I hate the additional waste of pre-portioned packets, but I am a sucker for the ease. I have cut out as much waste as I can in most every aspect of my life (you know, like physical discs and the packaging and transportation costs), but these are one of my indulgences.

@SJHT, no butter on top for me, the butter flavor is in their coconut oil, but I do enjoy adding Hot Tamales to the mix.

Another left field variable that I still enjoy as well, is air popped corn with just lemon pepper.
 
Thanks to all for the popcorn info!
 
SJHT said:
Do you add melted butter at the end? Also, sprinkle any Flavacol on top? Thanks!
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no, neither. flavacol in the oil is always best. for me, i don't need melted butter, but i know some love that.
 
I have Flavacol and agree. It is the best!
 
I just pulled the trigger on the paragon professional 8oz machine, some more flavacol, some of the great northern all in one packets (for a scout function), and now will be ordering the sampler pack of kernels as well. (Already have the yellow coconut oil but once it runs out I'll have to try the dutchmans)
 
Boy, I'm late to the party on this thread, and I'm going to print off Josh's info for intensive study.

I will say that I've been very happy with my Great Northern Lil' Maxx popcorn machine. The one thing that I would like to solve is to find some way to capture the steam that escapes from the machine while it's popping. Unfortunately the ceiling above the machine is entirely filled with ductwork for the low-velocity super-quiet HVAC in the adjacent theater room, so there's no way to do a conventional ventilation hood.

I use the MegaPop portion packs and have good results from those, although I feel like they used to be slightly better.

IMG_1856.jpeg
 
MikeKobb said:
Boy, I'm late to the party on this thread, and I'm going to print off Josh's info for intensive study.

I will say that I've been very happy with my Great Northern Lil' Maxx popcorn machine. The one thing that I would like to solve is to find some way to capture the steam that escapes from the machine while it's popping. Unfortunately the ceiling above the machine is entirely filled with ductwork for the low-velocity super-quiet HVAC in the adjacent theater room, so there's no way to do a conventional ventilation hood.

I use the MegaPop portion packs and have good results from those, although I feel like they used to be slightly better.

View attachment 6784
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I was about to call you out on your lack of Hot Tamales but then saw them peeking out from under the Mike and Ike’s.
 
cinelife said:
Junior Mints guy here! (But they probably wouldn't be as enjoyable without the $10.00 price. :giggle:)

Jim
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Hot Tamales are the perfect companion to a big bucket of good popcorn. Junior Mints are fine. I appreciate Milk Duds but my teeth get nervous when I open a box.

Our recently reopened Cinerama in Seattle (now SIFF Downtown) has chocolate popcorn which is wonderful. Seeing The Brutalist there on Saturday and I’m anxiously anticipating the Chocopop.

I don’t have a snack bar area but my theater seating can hold approximately 12 pounds of Hot Tamales in each armrest storage compartment. Don’t ask how I know.
 
thrillcat said:
I don’t have a snack bar area but my theater seating can hold approximately 12 pounds of Hot Tamales in each armrest storage compartment. Don’t ask how I know.
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Well, since we're getting into the serious topics now... Do you have issues with keeping Hot Tamales fresh? Or any boxed candy, really?

I stocked up a whole snack tray for the theater, but frankly not a ton of candy gets consumed except movie nights. Imagine my devastation when on a random afternoon I grabbed some Hot Tamales to watch a show and they had shrunken and hardened. Next I checked the Whoppers, and they were no longer whopping (again, kind of withered). Milk Duds had gotten even harder, if that's possible.

M&Ms and Reese's Pieces hold up in cardboard, but I've taken to getting as much as possible in plastic bags or plastic wrapped boxes. However, I haven't yet seen plastic-wrapped Hot Tamales so I either order just before a movie night or - brace yourself - I don't have any on hand.
 
I know the boxed ones look cool, but we find bagged hot tamales last a lot longer! Just harder to find..
 
SJHT said:
I know the boxed ones look cool, but we find bagged hot tamales last a lot longer! Just harder to find..
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LoveCinema said:
Well, since we're getting into the serious topics now... Do you have issues with keeping Hot Tamales fresh? Or any boxed candy, really?

I stocked up a whole snack tray for the theater, but frankly not a ton of candy gets consumed except movie nights. Imagine my devastation when on a random afternoon I grabbed some Hot Tamales to watch a show and they had shrunken and hardened. Next I checked the Whoppers, and they were no longer whopping (again, kind of withered). Milk Duds had gotten even harder, if that's possible.

M&Ms and Reese's Pieces hold up in cardboard, but I've taken to getting as much as possible in plastic bags or plastic wrapped boxes. However, I haven't yet seen plastic-wrapped Hot Tamales so I either order just before a movie night or - brace yourself - I don't have any on hand.
Click to expand...

You can order Hot Tamales from Amazon in bulk. They have resealable 1.8lb bags, or I've bought these 5lb bad boys and then put them into resealable containers to keep them fresh.


Also of note. My truck came back from the shop this week and I was cleaning things out. Found a loose Hot Tamale in the center console. Not sure how old it was but I've owned the Rover for going on 7 years now. I was still tempted to eat it. Had to make the executive call to make an extra immediate trip to the garbage can and throw it in there to resist the urge.

It's a sickness.
 
SJHT said:
I know the boxed ones look cool, but we find bagged hot tamales last a lot longer! Just harder to find..
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Same is true with the Mike & Ike's, which I now buy in the bags. @LoveCinema, I have definitely had the Hot Tamales get quite hard. I've never seen them in bags but I would buy in that form if I could.
 
josh said:
Makes sense, but for me cleaning the WP is dead simple... under 1 minute. Add dish soap and water, lid back on and stir with the built-in stirring mechanism, rinse with water, rub soapy wand over the underside of lid parts. I prefer that over putting it all in a dishwasher.

On the cooking side, I definitely do know my timing and have done side-by-side with exact ingredients and heat levels and the Popsmith always (4 out of 4 tests) makes slightly soggier popcorn without the crisp/crunch of my skilled whirly-pop technique. Just could never make it match up. I believe it's in the venting, but just a guess.
By the way, I think the Whirley Pop Aluminum versions are WAY inferior... and oodly, their "high end" platinum version is also inferior with the poorly vented glass lid. The only perfect one is the heavier steel one with the traditional vented/flapped steel lids and the metal gearing, not plastic gears. Have had all 3. Only 1 qualifies as great.

To each their own... all, including popsmith, can make a great batch of popcorn.
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Josh,
I hunted down a stainless steel 'whirleypop' with metal from Ebay and ordered it:

'Durable Stainless Steel lid and metal gears, triple ply. Heat conducting Aluminum Core for fast and even popping corn. Magnetic Stainless Steel exterior. Safe to use, contemporary natural hardwood handle stays cool and keeps your hands away from heat and steam. Every kernel pops, the patented stirring system prevents burning by moving every kernel until it pops. Easy cleanup - Removable Stainless Steel lid with quick release clips. Just wipe with a paper towel & store away for later use!!! New in box'

Next to follow your guidance and buy some kernels...
I love to snack - that is my sin ...LOL

Thanks for this great post
 
J.Green said:
After reading through this thread, I suspect that if I posted how I make my popcorn, @josh would drop the ban hammer on me and boot me from the forum for life.
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Ah, yeah, how you "make" popcorn. Because that's how we get popcorn. We make it.

We certainly don't buy flavored bags of it and put them in a little basket for people to choose from. 😬
 
LoveCinema said:
Ah, yeah, how you "make" popcorn. Because that's how we get popcorn. We make it.

We certainly don't buy flavored bags of it and put them in a little basket for people to choose from. 😬
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Blues Brothers GIF
 
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