There is no better way of spending an evening around a campfire or a fire grill than with a delicious snack. There’re only a handful of snacks easier to prepare than popcorn.
In this article, we show you how to prepare the best campfire popcorn and share some of the best outdoor popcorn poppers for the money.
How to Make Campfire Popcorn
Yes, you can make popcorn over a campfire, it’s frankly as easy as making popcorns on a stove. Yes, really! You’ll need the right tools though!
As an extra perk, the popcorn also gets the smoky flavor, which for some, makes the experience a tad better. You need the following to pop popcorn on the campfire:
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil
- Neutral-flavored oil
- Salt
- Popcorn kernels
- A campfire
Once you have all of the above you can start popping. Follow these steps to make the best campfire popcorn using aluminum foil:
- Get a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil and put two tablespoons of popcorn kernels. (Put the popcorn kernels in the middle of the foil).
- Drizzle two tablespoons of oil, please use the neutral-flavored oil because the smoke from the campfire is going to flavor the popcorns. Using flavored oil will fight off the smoke flavor.
- Sprinkle a pinch of salt or two. After that is done fold the aluminum, foil over the popcorn and the oil.
- Make sure you live some space because popcorns need air to pop. Also, if you completely cover the popcorn kernels the aluminum foil is likely to get torn.
- On the top of the folded foil add several layers of foil and wrap them together using a band. Poke the campfire fork through the band and hold it over the campfire flames. Shake the foil often and you will hear some pops.
- Immediately the popping stops, remove the folded foil from the fire. You should be careful while opening the packet because it’s still hot at this point.
- You can now start eating the popcorns and enjoy the moment.
Follow these steps if you’re using an outdoor popcorn popper:
- Make sure the popcorn popper is clean, of course!
- Pour the kernels into the popper
- Add some oil
- Place the popper OVER the fire (make sure it doesn’t touch the fire)
- Continously move the popper to make sure the kernel don’t get burnt
- The popcorns should be ready in about 5 minutes.
Best Outdoor Popcorn Poppers
If you are going to make popcorns for a big number of people or you just need plenty of popcorn, then you should get yourself a proper outdoor popcorn popper.
An outdoor popcorn popper is more convenient and is the better option for popping popcorn over a campfire. Popcorn poppers are the best options for use during camping because:
- They are simple to use
- They can be easily cleaned with a wipe or paper towel
- Outdoor popcorn poppers are usually lighter and thus easier to carry
- Can be used with any popcorn flavor that you wish.
- Come with long handles that’ll protect you from getting burnt
- Of course, they add to the overall camping experience. Believe me!
Some of the best popcorn poppers are:
Wabash Valley Farms Open Fire Pop Popcorn Kits
Capacity: 4 quarts
From the makers of the all too popular Whirley Popcorn Poppers, this is easily one of the very best outdoor poppers you can get for the money, and it’s not hard to understand why.
Built from stainless steel, the popper comes in a sturdy build and will most certainly last you quite a number of years. The detachable handle stretches two feet, long enough to keep you away from the flame.
Coleman Popcorn Popper
Capacity: 2 quarts
Coleman’s popper is one of the best popcorn poppers. It has a convenient sliding lid and a two-part handle. The handle is decently long and will protect you from being burnt while holding it out on the campfire.
The popper’s base isn’t made from a nonstick material though, so without oil, the popcorns will stick to it and burn. It is advisable to use oil while using this popcorn popper although the product description says that you do not need to use oil.
A number of users have reported issues with the durability of the product especially the handle and the coating, so keep that in mind.
Coleman’s popper is made for outdoor use with a campfire or fire pit. It comes with a wooden knob for easy and quick opening.
Camp Chef Popcorn Popper
Capacity: 3.5 quarts
It is also one of the best popcorn poppers you can use during a campfire. It is very convenient because it is made from powder-coated steel and has a 19.5-inch wooden handle. The long wooden handle protects you from getting burnt. It can also hold up to 3.5 quarts of popcorn.
The camp chef popcorn popper is conveniently used over fire pits or grills.
Rome Industries Popcorn Popper
Capacity: 3 quarts
The Rome popcorn popper has an outstanding appearance. It has a nice and elegant finish, in addition to that, it has a leather hanging strap to make storage easier.
The advantage of using this popcorn popper is that it is lighter and takes up less space on the campfire. It has a hinged lid, a long handle, and a wooden grip. The wooden grip prevents your hands from getting burnt.
The Rome popcorn popper is convenient for use over a campfire, fireplace, or hearth. It can also be used to pop roast chestnuts.
Great Northern Popcorn Popper
Capacity: 4 quarts
This is one of the largest popcorn poppers on this list and can hold up to 4 quarts of popcorn. It has an adjustable 24-inch handle which will help to prevent your hands and face from getting burnt. It is mostly ideal for use over a campfire or a grill.
Can You Pop Popcorn Outside?
Yes, you can pop popcorn outside for example over a campfire, backyard grill, or fireplace.
Popping popcorns outside after a long day at work, or maybe at school is one of the best experiences, if you want to prepare popcorn outside, plan and put all the things you will need in a bag.
Here’s a list of some of the things you’ll need:
- Salt
- Oil
- Tin Foil
- Kernels
- A pan or popcorn popper
The procedure for making popcorn outside is easy and fun. Follow these steps if you’re popping with a pan:
- Add kernels over the pan and cover the pan with tin foil.
- Hover the pan over the campfire
- Shake the pan after 15 to 30 seconds to ensure that the kernels are heating up. Keep shaking the pan until the popping stops.
- Remove the foil from the pan. Be careful not to hurt yourself, sprinkle popcorn salt to the popped popcorns and you can now enjoy.
There are many procedures for preparing popcorns, you can even choose to make the popcorns by heating them directly inside aluminum foil.
If the number of people at the outdoor activity will be high, you can choose to use an outside popcorn popper. You can choose any of the ones above, though we’d recommend the Wabash Valley Farms Open Fire Pop Popcorn Kit.
Can You Use Whirley Pop On a Campfire?
Yes, a Whirley popcorn popper can be used on a campfire and a fireplace too, but you’ll need one of their outdoor open fire poppers, and not the usual stovetop versions.
This is because the stovetop versions do not come with long handles and are usually quite heavy in comparison to the open fire poppers which come with long handles are quite light.
We recommend the Wabash Valley Farms Open Fire Pop Popcorn Kit as its a very convenient and well-built popcorn popper that can make up to 4 quarts of popcorn at one time.
It’s also easy to use and has a handle that prevents your hands and face from getting burnt. The Whirley popcorn popper comes with a popping kit that has fresh popping corn, popping oil, buttery salt, and a seasoning sampler.
You simply have to open the lid and put the amount of popcorn that will be enough for everyone. Close the lid and place the popper on fire. The popcorn should be ready in about 5 minutes.
Conclusion
Popcorn is an easy snack to make whether at home or outdoor. It is also a healthy snack because it contains very few calories.
Pro tip: You should consider buying popcorn kernels in bulk because it’s a bit cheaper when compared to buying in small proportions.
Popcorn kernels can last for years so don’t worry about them getting spoilt while in storage.
If you happen to be doing an outdoor activity like camping, a popcorn popper can be a convenient tool to have. They are generally easy to use and clean and will definitely protect your hands from getting burnt.
With a popcorn popper, you can prepare something tasty around the campfire while making merry with friends or family.
Here’s a pop to your camping endeavors!