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If you’re a lover of popcorn, you know there isn’t just one way to make it, whether it’s microwaved, popped on the stove, or made in a cast-iron skillet. However, if you haven’t tried making it with a Whirley Pop, you may not go back to your other ways.
To pop popcorn using the Whirley Pop is as easy as opening the lid, adding oil, adding your popcorn kernels, closing the lid and turning the handle. You will get a perfect batch of popcorn every time. Turning the handle while the popcorn kernels are heating up and popping keep them from burning.
Let’s discover a little more about the origin of the Whirley Pop and how to use it correctly to make popcorn. Also, you’ll find some of the most popular Whirley Pop designs to buy.
How Did The Whirley Pop Get Its Start?
It all began in a place called Wabash Valley Farms, which resides in the heartland of Indiana farm country. Mike Williams was a farmer in Indiana during the 1950s. He actually acquired the farm in 1974 and even started to grow popcorn for Orville Redenbacher. One problem Williams noticed is that the popcorn makers available on the market didn’t make quality popcorn.
He began to experiment with stirring mechanisms found on stove-top poppers. He bent the metal rod into a series of bends that allowed it to be elevated above the surface of the pan. His new device would enable popcorn to heat uniformly to avoid burning while also being incredibly fast.
In fact, it produced up to six quarts of popcorn in just about three minutes. As a result, this incredible invention got a patent in 1980 and hasn’t looked back since. People were fascinated by the simplistic yet masterful design of the Whirley Pop, a suitable replacement for microwave popcorn. Not only can it produce a better taste, but you enjoy a little nostalgia every time you whip up a batch.
How Do You Make Popcorn With A Whirley Pop?
One of the easiest (and most important steps) for making popcorn in Whirley Pop is getting your pan ready. To prepare your pan, all you need is a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Then, gently swirl it around the base of the pan.
The reason behind a coated pan is to ensure your kernels can move about and cook properly inside your pot. Important tip: only use vegetable oil or canola oil in your Whirley Pop rather than olive oil or butter, which tends to burn quite quickly.
From there, all you need to do is place your Whirley Pop on one of the burners of your stove. It’s unnecessary to preheat the pan, as the kernels will begin to heat up as the burner does. Use medium heat to prevent burning.
Next, on the right-hand side, you’ll find a crank that you need to start turning. Don’t worry about the speed, just continuously crank. This method stirs the popcorn.
After about 2 and 1/2 minutes, you’ll hear the popcorn start to pop. You’ll need to listen carefully for when the popcorn stops popping (at this point, it will be much harder to turn your crank).
Take your Whirley Pop off the heat immediately and open the lid to let the steam escape. Make sure you don’t let the popcorn sit too long, or it can become soggy and chewy. Pour your popcorn into a bowl and let it sit for about five minutes for maximum crunchiness!
What Are The Different Types Of Whirley Pops Available To Buy?
Ever since the invention of the Whirley Pop, it has evolved over the years for better efficiency and producing perfect popcorn. Below are some of the most common types of Whirley Pops available for purchase.
- Original Whirley Pop– The original Whirley Pop is an aluminum, silver-colored pot with gears made of nylon. It has an iconic appearance and comes with a 25-year warranty on the mechanical structures ( turning crank and lid).
- Color Changing Whirley Pop- This unique twist on the Whirley Pop was introduced in 2014. It’s so cool too! As the pot heats up, it turns from red to yellow. It’s fun to watch and still produces the same excellent taste.
- Red Whirley Pop- If you want to be reminded of popcorn at the carnival, the Red Whirley Pop is for you. It’s just like the silver version, but it has a red finish.
- Copper Plated Stainless Steel Whirley Pop- A copper plated version is another unique twist! Copper accents add a beautiful touch with an eye-catching appliance to add to your kitchen.
- Open Fire Whirley Pop- If you love the great outdoors, nothing can add to the ambiance of a campfire experience, much like a batch of hot popcorn. This Whirley Pop is meant for these moments, which can create memories for the whole family!
What Are Some Different Seasonings or Flavorings To Use?
It’s still delicious even if you don’t add anything besides a bit of salt to your popcorn from a Whirley pop. However, it’s still relatively easy to play around with an array of flavors. Some ideas include pouring over melted butter or adding spices like onion powder or white cheddar seasoning. You could even make the popcorn a kettle-style, mixing in some sugar and cinnamon with your butter.
When it comes to making popcorn, there are many options out there. But if you haven’t tried using a Whirley Pop to make your favorite snack, we highly recommend checking them out! Its easy and quick – only taking a few minutes from start to finish. Plus, you can season the popcorn with virtually unlimited topping and seasoning options, as well as many different Whirley Pop designs that can be personalized for any occasion.
Tip: If you want to just add butter to your popcorn, you can use an olive oil sprayer and put your melted butter in it and spray your popcorn. It tends to allow the butter to be evenly distributed across your bowl of popcorn.
