Not popping corn

Most M/W use an estimated setting based on ounces of corn. I've found that many do not tell you how much is in each bag. The bags usually have no size markings. Check the face of the box for something like "2 each 3 oz bags".
* Try to use a normal re-heat setting (at full power) and cook a bag using the a minute longer than the recommended setting. Listen to the popping sounds and stop the M/W when the pops slow to 3-4 seconds. (2-3 seconds with 'Kettle' corn) Note the time lapsed and this is your correct setting. You may try the popcorn menu to find a similar setting but really your best bet is to use the method above as it's the most accurate.
* Note; Old or stale corn will not all pop (it dries out as it gets older and there is not enough moisture in the kernnal to steam pop.)
* M/W varies from model to model and brand to brand. Only way to check is to try several settings to get the best results.
* Pop corn brands vary in quality. You will find the better name brands pop more.
* Once you find a good popping brand then stick to that size and brand. (unless they change it on you.)
* If your really stuck on getting every corn kern popped then go with an air popper. It won't come out of cooker till it pops.

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Aloha, ukeboy57

Sounds like the kettle isn't getting hot enough. The thermostat is usually at fault in this situation which can be determined by checking the amp draw on the kettle. the common complaint is the kette is too hot and burning but what really is going on is it's not hot enough so the seed won't pop. Because of the heat that is there it will loose it's moisture, dry out and burn instead. You will end up with lots of old maids . Really stale corn seed will act the same way because all the moisture in it is gone and thats what is needed to pop it.

If you are sure the corn is not dried out, sounds to me like its not getting hot enough. It will just dry out the moisture in the seed and burn it if the kettle is not hot enough to make the moisture expand and pop the seed open.

The kettle temp is not getting hot enough so your seeds dry out and have no moisture left to pop. Very stale corn seed will give you similar results.

Not enough heat in the kettle to do the job. The corn will dry out and pop poorly when there is not enough heat. Either a thermostat adjustment or replacement or a bad element.

Try new popcorn, popcorn dries out and does not pop well after being opened.

If the popcorn does not pop, and just turns black then it is too cold. If it pops very rapidly and then burns it is too hot. It is almost never too hot if you shut it off fast enough.

put about 2 tablesppons oil into the popper. Put 2 or 3 kernals into the oil. Turn the popper ON. When the kernals pop,.the oil is hot enough. Add 1/2 to 3/4 cup corn and enjoy when its done.

It coud be 2 things. Either a low grade of popping corn, or old popping corn. Hot air poppers blow the same temperature, until you shut them off. Although the better grades of popping corn cost a good amount more, you don't throw half of it away. Once the popping corn container has been opened, you should use it up within about 3 months. The internal moisture content is what determines whether corn will pop or not. Too much or too little moisture will not allow the corn to pop.

If you are using the Cuisinart pop corn poppper, don't use olive oil. Use vegetable oil. Two teaspoons is enough with 1/3 cup of premium kernels. That is it. Turn on the machine and wait til it stops popping. I LOVE my new pop corn popper. I will not do the hot air one again. I always had kernels flying all over my kitchen and popped popcorn everywhere, The Cuisinart popper is the best....

I had the same problem when I firs bought mine. I followed the instructions as to the proportion of corn to oil. Forget the book! I found that with this machine I had to use three times the oil that was caled for in the instructions to get all of the corn to pop. Better yet, we started purchasing the premade kits with the oil, popcorn and salt. Since changing to both of these systems we have enjoyed GREAT ppcorn!