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Stovetop popcorn maker for induction cooktop

10 years ago

Hi, we make popcorn on the stove using an aluminum popcorn pot with a turn-stile thingy on top, given to us as a wedding gift 20 yrs ago. It is not magnetic. I have made the switch to induction. We use this pot almost everyday, so need to replace it. Is there a brand that makes one that is magnetic?

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Comments (10)

sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
10 years ago
Ours is stainless, the 'back-to-basics' one. Just got it at a yard sale recently. Makes the best popcorn! It seems they may be out of business but not sure. Others are available in stainless.
Here is one...
(might call first to see if they pass the magnet test before ordering)

Here is a link that might be useful: stainless popcorn kettle
stir_fryi SE Mich
10 years ago
If you order the Lindy's, please report on how you like it. It seems like the only option.

I currently use a Farberware pot on my induction stove for popcorn but it is kind of making the pot turn nasty looking.
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For searching out info in the future, it might help to know that "induction tabletop units" are often referred to as "portable induction cookers" which sometimes is abbreviated as "PIC." Now, on your questions about pans, are you looking for a way to heat several pans together on a single induction burner? If so, the caterer's serving pan idea won't work any better than it would if you used it over a small gas burner. Induction heating is not passed by magnetic contact between pans over a PIC --- well, only on such an infinitesimally small scale as to be of no perceptible use in cooking :>). Basically, the strength of induction fields falls off so rapidly that it has no heating effect on pans more than a fraction of an inch above the burner surface. For the same reason, stacking pans won't work either. Further complicating things for you, your PIC may claim to be a 9-10" unit, but the actual induction field on them is only 3.5" to 6" (depending on brand.) Beyond that small field, you have to rely on your pan's mass and conductive abilities to spread and transmit the heat widely. A stainless steel caterer's serving pan is just too thin to function that way. IOW, it won't work like an induction adapter disk (which basically converts the induction heating into a radiant electric surface.) In theory, something thicker might work as an adapter, such as one of Chef King's rectangular, 14" x 23" carbon steel stovetop griddles (about $70 last time I checked). My experience with this kind of thing has been that these can heat other pans but so slowly that they work better on PICs as warming trays rather than for bringing other pots to heat. Frankly, it might be easier to heat up each pan separately on the PIC, then put on the caterer's pan with hot water, and use the PIC to heat the water that will keep the pans warm. If there is a second electrical circuit, you also might consider buying a second PIC. IIRC, there are some Duxtop units which have pretty good reviews and now are priced in the same neighborhood as the Chef King griddle that I mentioned above.
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The Krups machine mojavean refers to was probably the machine currently sold as the Krups "Moka Brew" - per the name, it does work essentially the same way as a moka pot, but on a larger scale. Water is boiled in a comparment at the bottom, under pressure, and the steam pushes the hot water up to a sprinkler above the grounds. Its a really old Krups design. I actually really like the coffee they make (their espresso machines, on the other hand, are horrid - but thats another story...). Anyway, their biggest flaw is that that after the water is forced through they can allow some steam to actually hit the grounds, producing a distinctive and disgusting "cooked grounds" smell. I think this is what Mojavean is referring to. They shouldn't, however, actually produce coffee that tastes like the smell... if they are, it is is probably an issue with your grind, or a fault in the machine. The coffee is very extracted, however, which might be interpreted as bitter by some palates. The issue doesn't apply to a Moka IF you use proper technique and take the pot off the heat source early enough. Its a matter of timing...after a whiel, you get a feel for it.
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Valeriojoann, I won't speak for Amazon, but I've never had trouble with a return to them of something that didn't work as expected. Perhaps you should ask the "does it work on induction question" first? Jim, I'm confused. I can't find your references, though you seem to have been looking at the same sites that I did. The word "induction" doesn't appear anywhere on the page you linked". The only answer on Amazon I've been able to find for whether it works on induction is a generic one that says stainless works on induction (not necessarily true in every case) rather than that the answerer had actually tried it. One review seems to indicate that the reviewer bought it to use on induction: "my cooking surface is induction... even if you do not have an induction cooktop. It will work with any method" This implies that it does work on induction even though the reviewer didn't specifically state "I use it on induction". There was one review that said the pan was made of aluminum, though it's supposed to be clad. It's unclear whether the reviewer had actually bought the stainless model, and if so, if there was a shipping mistake. The maker's Amazon listing clearly says "stainless steel pot". I still find it odd that they don't say "induction".
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Debbi Branka
10 years ago
Stir Fry - I thought induction did not discolor the outsides of your pans? I'm seriously considering induction right now and I have beautiful shiny stainless pans and liked the aspect that they would stay beautiful. I am wrong about this?
dodge59
10 years ago
I've had an Emerilware pot/pan set that I use on my induction.
It is cladded panware, and after 4 years, the stainless on it still looks as new.

As far as popcorn goes, strayer, You can buy a stainless steel adapter plate, that sits atop the hob, and that way you can use your old pop corn maker, or for that matter any pot/pan, aluminum, glass, copper ---or whatever.

It won't be as efficient as using a regular ss pot/pan but it should do fine for the popcorn.

Gary
stir_fryi SE Mich
10 years ago
deb -- I am talking about the inside of the pans. I have to use an SOS pan to get them clean from the hot oil.
Cavimum
10 years ago
@stir-fryi --- be careful with the SOS pad. OVer time it can remove the s/s finish and get down to the aluminum core. Not a problem if you don't mind your food touching it. BKF works better and is gentler; not as abrasive.
berner43
10 years ago
I bought the cook N home 6.5qt ss popcorn popper from amazon. I had the aluminum one as well and loved it. This one is a little larger than my old one and is heavier. There are reviews on amazon that say they have had trouble with the gears, but I never have. For $30 it works just fine on my induction range.
bookmom41
10 years ago
So we could keep using our aluminum Whirlypop, I bought a cast-iron comal made by Lodge to use as the "adaptor plate" on my induction range. While it did work, I've only done it a few times as the experience was less than satisfactory. The popcorn took much longer to pop, and the paper towel I put under the comal (which I do all the time under cast iron) scorched so badly that it stuck to the cooktop and it took repeated applications of elbow grease to remove the scorched gunk. Maybe the stainless steel plate would be more effective?

I miss my Whirlypop! Berner43, thanks for the heads-up on the brand you use.
stir_fryi SE Mich
10 years ago
I just bought the cook n home from Amazon to be delivered next week. It was about $14 cheaper than the Lindys and I couldn't seem to figure out what the difference between the two is.
stir_fryi SE Mich
10 years ago
Tried the cook n home popper tonight -- it made great popcorn -- 2 T oil and 1/2 C kernels. That is less oil than I use when I make it in a pot.

The biggest challenge was keeping the thing on the burner while turning the handle -- it was sliding all over.

Now, I just need to figure out how to get the lid off for cleaning (very poor instructions).

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