Comments on: Explosively awesome Chinese popcorn popper http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 22 May 2013 18:56:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013509 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013509 I didn't see any popcorn. I didn’t see any popcorn.

]]> By: Zadaz http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1014036 Zadaz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1014036 Don't think a pressure cooker will work. These things need to get up to 10 atmospheres of pressure (around 145 PSI)to keep the grain unpopped under pressure, while pressure cookers are rated between 0.6-2.5 atmospheres of pressure (10-36 PSI). In other words theres a reason his is made of hugely thick metal. Don’t think a pressure cooker will work. These things need to get up to 10 atmospheres of pressure (around 145 PSI)to keep the grain unpopped under pressure, while pressure cookers are rated between 0.6-2.5 atmospheres of pressure (10-36 PSI).

In other words theres a reason his is made of hugely thick metal.

]]> By: Drang http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013537 Drang Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013537 Love the pressure gauge at the end of the vessel. Love the pressure gauge at the end of the vessel.

]]> By: Ipo http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013808 Ipo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013808 Jiffy Pop seems simpler. Jiffy Pop seems simpler.

]]> By: CLamb http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013556 CLamb Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013556 I'm thinking about how I could do this at home. A pressure cooker could be used for the heating under pressure stage. One can tell the temperature from the pressure. Releasing the pressure is a problem. I think releasing the pressure through the vent hole would reduce it too slowly to produce the desired effect. Just unlatching the top to release the pressure could be dangerous. I wonder what pressure and temperature he heats it to? I’m thinking about how I could do this at home. A pressure cooker could be used for the heating under pressure stage. One can tell the temperature from the pressure. Releasing the pressure is a problem. I think releasing the pressure through the vent hole would reduce it too slowly to produce the desired effect. Just unlatching the top to release the pressure could be dangerous. I wonder what pressure and temperature he heats it to?

]]> By: subhan http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013322 subhan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013322 anybody notice how much the bag resembles a king-kong sized condom, complete with reservoir tip to catch the popcorn? anybody notice how much the bag resembles a king-kong sized condom, complete with reservoir tip to catch the popcorn?

]]> By: codesuidae http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1016400 codesuidae Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1016400 I've noticed that commercial flavored popcorn (such as that found in those big tins containing three flavors) here in the US is typically little round balls rather than the more haphazardly exploded home-made version. I've been meaning to look into how these were produced. I suspected it might be something like this. I’ve noticed that commercial flavored popcorn (such as that found in those big tins containing three flavors) here in the US is typically little round balls rather than the more haphazardly exploded home-made version.

I’ve been meaning to look into how these were produced. I suspected it might be something like this.

]]> By: facetedjewel http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013348 facetedjewel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013348 I love popcorn! I'd totally want to try this...if the 'kitchen' weren't so freakin' filthy. I likes my popcorn snow white and buttery, thanks. I love popcorn! I’d totally want to try this…if the ‘kitchen’ weren’t so freakin’ filthy. I likes my popcorn snow white and buttery, thanks.

]]> By: urbanhick http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013101 urbanhick Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013101 Mmm...sidewalk popcorn... Mmm…sidewalk popcorn…

]]> By: pjk http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013102 pjk Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013102 labor saving device? labor saving device?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013103 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013103 All I can think is 'Popcorn Cannon'. All I can think is ‘Popcorn Cannon’.

]]> By: oschene http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013104 oschene Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013104 Remember puffed wheat and puffed rice, the cereal shot from guns? http://youtu.be/zGpS6LHeBC0 These are what those guns looked like. Remember puffed wheat and puffed rice, the cereal shot from guns?
http://youtu.be/zGpS6LHeBC0
These are what those guns looked like.

]]> By: shanghaied http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013113 shanghaied Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013113 Ah, it's all coming back to me now, my childhood in China during the 1980's. It was always the same old man on a trike, and the throng of children who was there as much for the popcorn as for the little explosions and clouds of escaping steam. Each little plastic bag sold for 10 cents, and for 50 cents he will pop a whole can with the corn or rice that you brought yourself. It always amazed me that a couple of litres of corn at the bottom of a sack would fill it to the brim after popping. The kernels aren't the same as regular popcorn though, instead of a little corn "snowflake" with various protrusions you get round little balls. Probably has to do with the whole kernel expanding quite evenly at the same time. Ah, it’s all coming back to me now, my childhood in China during the 1980′s. It was always the same old man on a trike, and the throng of children who was there as much for the popcorn as for the little explosions and clouds of escaping steam. Each little plastic bag sold for 10 cents, and for 50 cents he will pop a whole can with the corn or rice that you brought yourself. It always amazed me that a couple of litres of corn at the bottom of a sack would fill it to the brim after popping.

The kernels aren’t the same as regular popcorn though, instead of a little corn “snowflake” with various protrusions you get round little balls. Probably has to do with the whole kernel expanding quite evenly at the same time.

]]> By: pikacard http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013116 pikacard Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013116 Here's short NHK clip on the ones used to puff rice in Japan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoMQm2WGM9Q Here’s short NHK clip on the ones used to puff rice in Japan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoMQm2WGM9Q

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013118 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013118 You see these all over South Korea too. They pop just about any grain...corn, rice, barley. You see these all over South Korea too. They pop just about any grain…corn, rice, barley.

]]> By: weatherman http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013377 weatherman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013377 That popcorn maker has a turbo! The phrase "The street finds its own uses for things" comes to mind. That popcorn maker has a turbo! The phrase “The street finds its own uses for things” comes to mind.

]]> By: mtreighie http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013633 mtreighie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013633 Remove the pressure gauge and set it aside, replace it with a black pipe nipple and a t junction. Attache the pressure gauge to the top of the T and a quick action ball valve on the remaining leg. Point the business end of the ball valve away from you and anyone you are fond of before opening the valve. Remove the pressure gauge and set it aside, replace it with a black pipe nipple and a t junction. Attache the pressure gauge to the top of the T and a quick action ball valve on the remaining leg. Point the business end of the ball valve away from you and anyone you are fond of before opening the valve.

]]> By: franko http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013126 franko Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013126 but, how does it TASTE? but, how does it TASTE?

]]> By: dainel http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013403 dainel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013403 The first thing that comes to mind is "kind of dirty. I wouldn't eat that." And I live in a poor third world country where things aren't too clean, compared to all you rich folks in the first world. The first thing that comes to mind is “kind of dirty. I wouldn’t eat that.” And I live in a poor third world country where things aren’t too clean, compared to all you rich folks in the first world.

]]> By: lava http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013168 lava Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013168 how does it taste? It tastes as good as any dirty sack that's been lying in the gutter. Did you mean the popcorn? how does it taste? It tastes as good as any dirty sack that’s been lying in the gutter.

Did you mean the popcorn?

]]> By: PosthumanPicaresque http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013173 PosthumanPicaresque Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013173 Wow, what a tremendous waste of energy to make a single bag of low-nutrition food. Wow, what a tremendous waste of energy to make a single bag of low-nutrition food.

]]> By: mtreighie http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1014197 mtreighie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1014197 I misread the operating pressure on pressure cookers my first time through. In theory, the use of the pressure cooker would raise the temperature at which the kernel would burst, I suspect that rapidly heating the kernels while keeping them all below that new temperature until the magic moment when the valve is opened probably is not possible. I misread the operating pressure on pressure cookers my first time through.

In theory, the use of the pressure cooker would raise the temperature at which the kernel would burst, I suspect that rapidly heating the kernels while keeping them all below that new temperature until the magic moment when the valve is opened probably is not possible.

]]> By: gpeare http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013430 gpeare Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013430 mmmm....gutter corn mmmm….gutter corn

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013179 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013179 Tastes like puffed corn. Local market sells it as breakfast cereal. Tastes like puffed corn. Local market sells it as breakfast cereal.

]]> By: Yunny http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013443 Yunny Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013443 Thanks for the memories! Thanks for the memories!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1014213 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1014213 Awww brings back memories from my childhood. The popcorn man would come to the block once or twice a week, and my grandma would go downstairs with a bucket. I'd then wait for the telltale POOF! and a few minutes later she'd come back with a bucketful of popcorn. Those were the days. 'Tis a shame so many people can only see the bag and the sidewalk... Awww brings back memories from my childhood.
The popcorn man would come to the block once or twice a week, and my grandma would go downstairs with a bucket. I’d then wait for the telltale POOF! and a few minutes later she’d come back with a bucketful of popcorn.

Those were the days.

‘Tis a shame so many people can only see the bag and the sidewalk…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013192 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013192 in the 70s, in japan, a guy with a similar contraption came to our hood. we were soooo excited to see him come around again. we'd ask our moms for some money (100 yen? but that seems utterly expensive for 1970s) and a cup of rice and sugar each.... pop, then like a magic, there in front of our peepers were what i later come to know as rice crispies, but it was sweet!! in the 70s, in japan, a guy with a similar contraption came to our hood. we were soooo excited to see him come around again. we’d ask our moms for some money (100 yen? but that seems utterly expensive for 1970s) and a cup of rice and sugar each….

pop, then like a magic, there in front of our peepers were what i later come to know as rice crispies, but it was sweet!!

]]> By: a_user http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013204 a_user Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013204 anyone else getting the vibe that the popcorn guy wants the tourist to stop circling and pointing the cellphone at him? anyone else getting the vibe that the popcorn guy wants the tourist to stop circling and pointing the cellphone at him?

]]> By: knoxblox http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013212 knoxblox Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013212 Just pretend the sidewalk dust is seasoned salt. Just pretend the sidewalk dust is seasoned salt.

]]> By: wsst1000 http://boingboing.net/2011/02/01/explosively-awesome.html#comment-1013213 wsst1000 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1013213 Glad to see this made it to the big board. It seemed like a perfect BB 2011 piece. I'm amazed though that this technique hasn't come to USA carnivals and street fairs yet. BTW popcorn is a decent food and was one of the staples of simple living pioneers Scott and Helen Nearing. Glad to see this made it to the big board. It seemed like a perfect BB 2011 piece. I’m amazed though that this technique hasn’t come to USA carnivals and street fairs yet. BTW popcorn is a decent food and was one of the staples of simple living pioneers Scott and Helen Nearing.

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