I received the most awesome gift from my in-laws. Of course, I won’t complain about the amazing Star Wars LEGO set my husband got me (that’s legendary too), but you know what they gave me? A popcorn maker. A real, shiny, fabulous Whirley Pop!
Now, let me explain why this was a big deal. I never had a microwave. I didn’t want one either, but sometimes, I got pretty sad about not being able to make popcorn. Sure, I could have bought a stovetop popcorn set, but I never did. Maybe I knew I’d go nuts and make way too much popcorn swimming in butter and oil. But my in-laws? They knew. Every time we stayed at their house, my father-in-law made popcorn for me. He’s a popcorn lover too, so it became a tradition, popcorn nights whenever we stayed over.
Let’s be real...store-bought popcorn doesn’t hit the same as fresh, buttery, hot popcorn from the cinema. But we only go to the movies maybe twice a year. Netflix and streaming have spoiled me. Why leave the couch when I can watch Star Wars in pajamas, right?
So, when my in-laws handed me this shiny popcorn machine, it felt like destiny. My husband wasn’t as thrilled. He knew he’d have to make it for me at first. Sure, I could learn to make it myself, but let’s face it, he’s better at this stuff. 😊
He promised to show me how to use it for the “first time.” Poor guy didn’t realize what he’d signed up for! Yesterday, as we lounged on the couch for a Star Wars marathon (we started with Episode IV, obviously), I put on my sweetest “begging face” and asked him to make popcorn. Just this one time, I promised. 😂😉
The Whirley Pop experience
So, there I was, standing in the kitchen next to my husband, nervously excited about making popcorn for the first time. He promised to teach me, but let’s be honest...I was already bouncing with anticipation. I had never made popcorn like this before, and I was 100% ready for the POP! action.
Here’s how it all went down (and how you can do it too):
Step 1- the oil
My husband started by grabbing the Whirley Pop and setting it on the stove. “Two tablespoons of oil,” he said, holding up a measuring spoon like it was some sacred tool. He put the oil into the pot, and I leaned in, practically pressing my face to the lid.
“Okay, calm down,” he said, laughing. But I couldn’t. The excitement was real!
Step 2 - the kernels
Next, he grabbed the popcorn kernels. “Just enough to cover the bottom of the pot,” he explained. He poured the kernels in, and I gasped like he was sprinkling fairy dust into the pot.
“Is that enough?” I asked nervously.
“Yes,” he replied, amused.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“It looks so small!”
He just gave me the look and moved on.
Step 3 - Turn on the heat
He turned the stove to medium heat.“This part’s important—medium heat, not too high,” he said, sounding like a popcorn scientist.
The pot started warming up, and I stood there, shifting from one foot to the other. “When does it start popping?” I asked, like a kid waiting for Santa.
“Soon,” he said. “Be patient.”
Patient? Who, me? Impossible.
Step 4 - the crank
Then came the fun part. My husband grabbed the handle and started cranking it like he was winding up a toy. “You have to keep turning,” he said, demonstrating his expert cranking skills.
“Can I try?” I asked, grabbing for the handle.
“Not yet,” he said, swatting my hand away. “Let me show you first.”
So, I stood there, nervously biting my lip, as he cranked the handle in a smooth, steady motion. It looked so easy! But then…he said I need to try how you turn this. So, I did, but, forever?!
Step 5 - the waiting game
“Now we wait,” he said, still cranking. The pot started to heat up, and I stared at it like it was about to perform a magic trick.
“What if it doesn’t pop?” I whispered dramatically.
“It will,” he assured me, amused by my popcorn anxiety.
Step 6 - the first POP!
And then it happened. POP! One kernel burst to life, and I squealed like a kid on Christmas morning. Then another kernel popped. And another! Soon, it was like a tiny firework show inside the pot.
“Keep cranking!” he said, his tone suddenly serious. I cheered him on like he was running a popcorn marathon. “You’re doing great!” I shouted, clapping my hands.
Step 7 - when the popping slows
After about a minute of glorious popping chaos, the sound started to slow down. “Okay, now it’s almost done,” he said. He gave the crank a few final turns and then lifted the pot off the heat.
“Can I open it?” I asked, practically jumping up and down.
When we opened the lid, there it was, my first-ever homemade popcorn! Fluffy, golden, and perfect.
He poured the popcorn into a big bowl, and I grabbed the salt like a popcorn queen ready to rule her kingdom. “Sprinkle it lightly,” he said, but I might have gotten a little carried away.
“Now you know how to do it!” he said, handing me the bowl.
“Sure,” I replied, munching away. “But I think you should make it next time too!”
And that’s how my husband taught me to make popcorn with the Whirley Pop. It was a magical, slightly chaotic experience that ended with a big bowl of warm, buttery popcorn and me feeling like a popcorn wizard-in-training. 😉
After Episode V, my husband had to take the popcorn bowl away from me because I’d already eaten two full bowls. I could have kept going, but apparently, popcorn binges every night aren’t a sustainable lifestyle. Who knew?
But wow, in just five minutes, you can have warm, fresh popcorn that makes you feel like you’re at the cinema...minus the sticky floors and overpriced soda.
So, the Whirley Pop has officially made me a popcorn master. My arm may be sore,(even if I only spun it for a few seconds) but my soul is happy. Next movie night, I promise I’ll try making it myself… maybe. 😉
With love, @tinabrezpike ❤️