Popcorn today is not only an obligatory attribute of a film show, but also a great treat for a large company for a friendly conversation. Treats on a huge scale have traditionally been sold at mass events (as a rule, it was carnivals) and in cinemas in the United States of America since the end of the 19th century, and in Russia the first popcorn machine appeared in the 90s of the 20th century. Of course, people have been able to fry a special “exploding” variety of corn in a pan, getting amazingly tasty bursting grains, but on a real industrial scale, popcorn production began only after the popularization of special machines.
Isn't it easier to make popcorn at home in a frying pan?
Now you don't have to go to the cinema or shopping and entertainment center for delicious popcorn. Fans of puffed corn have long been accustomed to preparing a delicacy in the microwave or in a regular frying pan. Popcorn, ready to eat, or raw material for making treats inat home can be purchased in many supermarkets.
But such puffed corn usually does not have a “real” taste: fresh popcorn, very little or no caramel or thick syrup, bursting grains are soft and simply “crumple” in the mouth into a homogeneous porridge, and talk about the pleasant smell of delicacy don't even have to. Cooking popcorn in the microwave or in a frying pan is very troublesome, and the taste is not the same.
For lovers of sweet or savory popped grains, there is a great way out - buying a popcorn machine at home.
The principle of operation of the popcorn maker
The mechanism of action of the popcorn maker has changed little since its invention back in 1885 by Charles Cretor from Ichkago. True, the first machine was steam, and today's analogues are powered by electricity.
To get a treat, pour a small amount of oil into the popcorn maker and add the required amount of corn kernels. S alt or sugar, aromatic additives, non-stick agent are also added. The boiler is preheated to a temperature of 200-400 degrees (depending on the model, the temperature may vary significantly).
Under the influence of heat, as in a frying pan or in a microwave oven, the grains burst. Moisture inside the cores breaks the shell, turning into steam, and quickly hardens. Some popcorn machines are equipped in such a way that the ready-made delicacy lifts the lid of the kettle and pours intoin a separate container, while in others - popcorn remains in the compartment where the raw material was originally poured.
Popcorn maker design
The machine for making popcorn at home can have different configurations. Most often, a compact machine is a rotating platform with a protective cover, sometimes transparent, which allows you to observe the entire process. In such devices, the finished product remains in the bowl where the grains were poured. You can find different models: a popcorn maker "ball", machines with a neat and modern design, or devices that look like a double boiler or a regular pan.
Larger devices have a one-piece body, inside which the boiler is installed. Such machines, as it were, “spit out” the finished delicacy into a separate container, which allows you to try the treat without waiting for all the grains to burst. They are usually made in a retro style for home use or outdoor popcorn making during mass events. There are also industrial designs - one-piece ovens without additional decor.
Where to buy a popcorn maker
Popcorn makers are generally hard to find in regular hardware stores. This statement is especially true when it comes to small towns. You can choose a suitable home popcorn machine from a variety of models, get a manager’s advice and pay for your purchase via the Internet. Onlinestores specializing in the sale of such devices, grains and flavorings provide a wide range of models for home and industrial use.
What to look for when choosing popcorn
A popcorn maker, like any other technique, should be chosen carefully. It is necessary to evaluate how the product meets expectations in several ways. First of all, you should pay attention to:
- size;
- performance;
- functionality;
- appearance;
- price;
- guarantee.
Dimensions and performance
First of all, you need to proceed from your own needs: you should not buy a large floor popcorn maker if you intend to cook popcorn occasionally for gatherings with a couple of friends. On the contrary, for a large company that often gets together to watch the latest news in a home theater, a compact device is hardly suitable.
The size of the machine also determines its performance. The size of a popcorn maker can vary significantly: online stores offer both compact devices and real giants for industrial production. Smaller models (20x20x20 cm) are able to cook about 1 kg of popcorn per hour, larger devices (50x50x80 cm) produce up to 6-7 kg of popcorn in the same period of time.
Functionality and appearance
In terms of functionality, most machines differ little from each other: they can all cook both sweet and s alted puffed corn. However, some offer a delicious treat without the use of oil, which is a definite plus for those who care about their he alth.
Devices on the market have different designs. Depending on your own preferences, you can purchase a retro-style popcorn maker or in the form of a soccer ball, corn on the cob or a can of Coca-Cola. There are neat devices that resemble a conventional food processor that will fit perfectly into the interior of any modern kitchen.
Cost and warranty
Pleased with popcorn machines and affordable price. The price of a quality device starts from 2 thousand rubles, but for large models you will have to pay up to 15 thousand or more, depending on the performance of the device. You can find a popcorn maker even for 500 rubles, but the quality of such a device is expected to be very low, and the warranty is only two weeks. Warranties for other models range from 1 to 5 years.
Popcorn machine manufacturers
The production facilities of the main suppliers of popcorn machines are located in China, but this does not detract from the quality of the equipment. Manufacturers such as Starfood, Gastrorag, Vitek or Gemlux are widely known. Popcorn is supplied to the domestic market by Sikom.
If you need to choose a good popcorn maker, reviews will be important and you should definitely pay attention to them before buying. Finding information about what users think about the competitive model will not be difficult.
Preparation of popcorn in the machine
Preparation of popcorn in a special apparatus does not cause difficulties. It is only necessary to fill the corn grains into the compartment, add a small amount of oil if necessary and turn on the device. Popcorn will be ready in 3-5 minutes. The finished treat can be topped with caramel or fruit syrup.
Maybe in business?
The popcorn machine is often purchased for the purpose of selling popcorn in shopping malls or movie theaters. The business does not require large initial investments, pays off quickly and brings good profits, which is why it is popular.
Note that a compact popcorn machine won't work in this case: it just might not have enough power to keep up with demand. The equipment must be purchased full-scale, with good performance and the ability to work outdoors provided by the manufacturer.
Proper maintenance of equipment
Any technique needs proper care. The popcorn maker should be cleaned after each use and should not be cooked with the same oil more than once. Must be handled with caredevice and operate it in full accordance with the instructions, this will avoid breakdowns and extend the life of the popcorn machine.
