Full of Hot Air
An air popper is a device that uses hot air to pop popcorn. Air poppers, such as the black air popcorn maker, add no additional fat to the popcorn, and heat each kernel evenly to help reduce waste. Popcorn kernels pop because an outside heat source converts water to steam. When the pressure from the steam becomes too much, the outer hull will explode and the result is the fluffy treat we call popcorn. It makes no difference to the popcorn kernels how the heat arrives, as long as it stays hot enough long enough to generate the steam.
A hot air popper works by spinning the raw popcorn kernels in a central heating chamber. As the kernels reach the outside vanes, hot air that is generated by an electrical element is introduced. In a matter of minutes, the small amount of water trapped in each kernel converts to steam. When the fibrous hull can no longer withstand the pressure, the entire kernel will explode and the starchy fibers inside combine with the air to form the finished product.