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Snacktime hits us all, often at unexpected moments, yet there seems to be nothing better than popcorn! Whether we have a salty or sweet craving, popcorn is sure to keep us munching throughout the afternoon or during our favorite movie. To prepare your crunchy snack, you may wonder if your glass stovetop is a safe place to pop your popcorn.
A glass stovetop is a safe place to pop your popcorn but must be done properly to prevent spills, scratching, and breaking. Allowing your popcorn to heat up to the right temperature is vital to creating delicious popcorn that will prevent the most damage and mess to your glass top stove.
Below are some of the concerns for cooking on your glass stovetop, and some suggestions for the perfect popcorn. So before you start creating and enjoying your snack, there are just a few more things that you need to know!
Concerns About Cooking on a Glass Top Stove
While your house is most likely safe from an explosion when cooking your popcorn on your glass stovetop, there are concerns about the quality of your stovetop when cooking. These include scratching, slow and uneven heating, spills, and damage caused by heavy items.
Scratching
One of the biggest concerns when cooking popcorn on your glass stovetop is scratching. When cooking popcorn on the stove, many recipes direct you to move the pan in circular motions over the burner, allowing the popcorn to move around in the oil and prevent burning.
However, doing this on your glass top stove is not recommended.
Moving the pan around on the glass can create scratches on the burner that are often difficult to fix. While there are steps you can take to reduce the appearance and depth of the scratches, the stovetop may be damaged permanently.
(Further down we’ll discuss how to prevent your popcorn from burning without creating scratches on the burner!)
Slow and Uneven Heating
Most glass top stoves are electric, which, unfortunately, are known for their slow and uneven heating. This is due to their significantly lower wattage compared to gas stoves.
When it comes to cooking your popcorn here, it may take longer to cook and you may need to pay extra attention to burning kernels.
Glass is a poor conductor of electricity, which is another reason for the slower heating of your burner. It will be important to set the heat at the right temperature because once it reaches the desired temperature, it may take a little longer to cool off after the temperature is lowered.
Want to know 11 tasty ways to flavor your popcorn? Read the article here
Spills
If you are anything like me when it comes to cooking, you may be needing to clean up a spill or two. This is something to be aware of when handling food on your glass top stove, especially hot oil.
If not cleaned up correctly or promptly, spills and oil can leave dark, brittle stains on the cooktop. These are removable, but require cleaning strategies that are right for your glass stove.
Cleaning materials must be used when the stovetop is completely cooled off. Stovetop cleaners, scrapers, and baking soda are all safe to use on your glass top stove.
As always, be careful of your surroundings while working in the kitchen. Your stovetop is not the only thing that can burn! Be aware of hot oil jumping into the air and be careful not to trip and spill any oil on yourself and others when carrying a hot pot of popcorn.
Heavy Items
If you are cooking your popcorn in a pan, skillet, or pot, be careful when handling and lifting heavy items around your stovetop. Glass is fragile and you don’t want to crack our glass top stove by dropping something too hard.
Can Glass Top Stoves Break?
Glass top stoves may be prone to breaking. Reasons for this include hotspots and thermal shock.
Hotspots occur when something cooks or melts onto the stovetop. This creates a hotspot on the stove in future uses and may create cracking on your stovetop. Thermal shock occurs when cool glass is exposed to sudden heat.
While you should be free of these problems when making popcorn, be aware of what gets on your stovetop and the temperature changes that occur while you are cooking to prevent your stovetop from cracking.
Wondering what are the pros and cons of using olive oil to make popcorn? Read the article here
How to Cook Popcorn on the Stove: Step by Step
Now that you know it is safe to cook popcorn on a glass top stove, you get can popping! With the correct care, type of popcorn, and instructions, you can enjoy a yummy snack and a pristine stovetop. These step-by-step instructions are designed for popping your own popcorn at home! Here’s what you are going to need:
- Yellow or white popcorn, about 1/2 c kernels (makes about 15 c popped popcorn)
- Coconut or Olive Oil (per taste), 2 tbsp
- Salt and butter is desired, to taste
- 1 large pot with a lid
Now that you have all your ingredients, you are ready to begin!
Step 1: Turn your stovetop on to medium heat (about 5 or 6)
Step 2: Add 2 TBSP of oil to your pot and allow it to heat up
Step 3: Add one kernel and wait for it to pop!
Step 4: After the kernel has popped, add the rest of the popcorn!
(Note: Be sure not to move the pot over the burner to prevent scratching. If needed, use a spoon to stir the kernels.)
Step 5: Wait for all kernels to pop and remove from heat.
Step 6: Add butter and salt if desired.
Other Tools for Popping on a Glass Top Stove
Many people use JiffyPop to pop their popcorn. However, this is not recommended for a glass or ceramic top stove due to the uneven heating and directions to shake on the stove. Doing so can scratch your stovetop.
Whirley-Pops, which are stovetop popcorn poppers, are great for popping popcorn at home on your stove. These are safe to use on our glass top stove, but shaking should also be avoided. Most Whirley-Pops have a handle for stirring popcorn and preventing burning.
For Whirley-Pop instructions, follow the same instructions above, except place ingredients in your Whirley-Pop! Be sure that the stove is heated and ready to go when you put the popcorn in.
