Electricity for the 4-H Scientist

by Eric B. Wilson

Make Popcorn 3 Ways

How do you make popcorn? Did you know that you can do this kind of a heating job three different ways?

Materials Needed
Popcorn
Cooking oil or shortening
Salt and butter
4-qt. saucepan, with cover. (A glass cover is preferred.)
Potholder
Electric range
2 250-watt heatlamps
2 spring clamp type lampholders
Wire mesh corn popping basket or wire mesh kitchen strainer (improvise a screen wire cover)

First, make popcorn the way you usually do. Set a front surface unit control on the range at "medium high". Pour enough oil to very lightly cover the bottom of the pan. When the pan is hot, pour in enough popcorn to cover the bottom with one layer of kernels. Use the potholder in one hand to hold the cover on, and with the other move the pan back and forth across the unit. When the popping stops, remove from the heat.

How did the heat get to the popcorn?

Second, make popcorn in the oven. Add the oil to the pan, cover it and put it in the oven. Turn the oven on, with the automatic control set at 400°. When the oven indicator light goes off, this means that the proper temperature has been reached. With the potholder, remove the pan and add one layer of popcorn kernels. Replace the pan in the oven. When the popping stops (listen for it) remove the pan.

What kind of heating took place here?

Third, make popcorn with the heat lamps. Clamp the lampholders to the back of a chair or other vertical support. They should be 6 to 8 inches apart and pointed directly at each other. Put about 2 tablespoonfuls of popcorn in the Wire basket or strainer. Do not add oil. Hold the basket midway between the two lamps. When the popping stops, turn off the lamps.

What kind of heating was this?

Now, butter and salt the popcorn you have made and share it with others.