Stovetop is super easy - saucepan, some kernels, some oil, put the lid on. Low to medium heat til popping stops. Add some salt.
Also incredibly cheap.
Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)
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Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)
#22Microwave popcorn (in the bag) is garbage. I found I much prefer using a silicone popper [1], and then adding my own butter/salt to it. Tastes just like when I use an air popper. Since that approach doesn't use the popcorn bag, would it then be free from PFAS? [1] https://www.amazon.com/Proper-Popper-Microwave-Collapsible-D...
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Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)
#23The article does not cite or link to the study. > The researchers found that people who ate microwave popcorn every day over the course of a year had levels of PFAS that were up to 63% higher than average. As far as I could tell the relevant study [1] merely finds association rather than causation. This is often the best you can do in the nutrition field though. I have not yet read through the entire contents. [1] He…
I mean, the study states clearly that the PFAS are in the "food contact materials" in question, here, which are the microwave popcorn bags. Then they end up in the people. Kind of open and shut.
Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)
#24Is it the microwaves effect on the popcorn, or the fake butter that might cause "popcorn lung" if the fumes get inhaled, getting modified into PFAs by microwaving? If it's the first, I'd expect almost everything you nuke to be at least a risk of PFAs. If its the second, that's easier to deal with by avoiding fake popcorn butter.
It's the bag.
Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)
#25Is it the microwaves effect on the popcorn, or the fake butter that might cause "popcorn lung" if the fumes get inhaled, getting modified into PFAs by microwaving? If it's the first, I'd expect almost everything you nuke to be at least a risk of PFAs. If its the second, that's easier to deal with by avoiding fake popcorn butter.
> They are also widely used in paper products meant to hold foods that are hot, gooey or greasy. That includes the wrappers that hold fast food, and, as you noted in your letter, microwave popcorn bags.
It's on the paper.
Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)
#26Something I learned a few weeks ago: Put 1/3 cup kernels in a large brown paper lunch bag and fold the top down several times. Microwave as normal, bag standing up, listening for pops to slow down. Air pops in the bag with no issues. Salt (and ghee) after you dump it in the bowl. I have stopped using my whirlypopper.
You can even staple the bag closed. But now I'm a whirlypop convert. Coconut oil and flavacol popcorn salt. Yum.
Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)
#27Is it the microwaves effect on the popcorn, or the fake butter that might cause "popcorn lung" if the fumes get inhaled, getting modified into PFAs by microwaving? If it's the first, I'd expect almost everything you nuke to be at least a risk of PFAs. If its the second, that's easier to deal with by avoiding fake popcorn butter.
Diacetyl contains no fluorine, it’s gotta be whatever lining they use on the paper.
Yeah, the study says PFAS has been found in the packaging.
Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)
#28Stovetop is super easy - saucepan, some kernels, some oil, put the lid on. Low to medium heat til popping stops. Add some salt. Also incredibly cheap.
I use clarified butter instead of oil so that the popcorn soaks it in immediately after popping.
Every time I take a bite, it’s like a buttery explosion.
I recommend taking it off heat for 30 seconds after adding all the kernels so they all heat up to an even temperature and roast a little in the butter. Use a screen to cover the pot rather than a lid so that steam can escape and your popcorn stays crunchy.
Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)
#29Something I learned a few weeks ago: Put 1/3 cup kernels in a large brown paper lunch bag and fold the top down several times. Microwave as normal, bag standing up, listening for pops to slow down. Air pops in the bag with no issues. Salt (and ghee) after you dump it in the bowl. I have stopped using my whirlypopper.
I do this too. I also use a food scale to weigh out the popcorn within about a gram. I figured out the number of seconds required, so I no longer have to listen.
The process is surprisingly reproducible. I get very few unpopped kernels, usually around 5 of them.
Re: Eating microwave popcorn increases the level of PFAS in body (2022)
#30Earlier quoted context omitted.
Or simply use large saucepan. Pour some oil to cover its base, wait until the oil gets high temperature, pour corn. Then, shake it every now and then. We used to make tons of them when we were kids and even now I make it occasionally, when we do movie nights at home
I've found I burn the popcorn often with this. Maybe just a lack of experience (we always had an air popper growing up). You can also use small amounts of butter (or I guess oil if you wanted) with the silicone popper or air popper. Having enough oil to cover the base seems like a lot more oil? I could be wrong, just guessing.
There's an element of practice too. Ideally, you want a very thin layer of oil to cover the base, or maybe even less. It doesn't need to be a lot. Also an average saucepan would produce quite a lot popcorn
To prevent burning, shaking and occasionally lifting off the hob is required. Also not adding too much corn helps a lot. The maximum a saucepan can take is when the entire base is covered with them.