Guest
For more information, please visit microwave safe brown paper bags.
Posted: Fri Nov 03, 6:03 pm
Post subject: Are lunch bags safe for microwaving popcorn?
TV chef Alton Brown makes MW-popcorn by putting popcorn+oil+salt in a brown paper lunch bag, and zapping it as usual. This sounds easy and cheap and fun. But I worry that there might be dangerous chemicals in brown paper lunch bags. Any ideas?
kgb
Joined: 21 Dec
Posts: 108
Posted: Fri Nov 03, 9:32 pm
Post subject: They're fine
Paper lunch bags are already meant to come in contact with foods, hot or cold. If they contained anything toxic, the FDA would already have sounded the alarm about their intended use. Alton's use is not that far off -- the only difference is that the heat is maintained for a few minutes in the microwave -- they should be perfectly safe.
Gabrielle
Joined: 27 Oct
Posts: 5
Posted: Sat Nov 04, 12:15 am
Post subject:
There is no problem with using the paper bags. I would, however, not use recycled ones.
GuestPosted: Sun Nov 05, 6:10 pm
Post subject:
Thanks for your replies. They gave me courage to try it last night, and it worked great!
GaryProtein
Joined: 26 Oct
Posts: 535
Posted: Sat Nov 11, 1:58 pm
Post subject:
I wouldn't use a pastic bag because it would lock the steam in making tough popcorn.
GuestPosted: Sat Nov 11, 9:40 pm
Post subject:
Plus I'd be afraid that plastic would melt, or give off toxic fumes, when heated.
I've settled on paper lunch bags (labeled as such) with the open end folded over twice. I've tried (1) plain popcorn, (2) popcorn with oil, (3) popcorn with oil and salt, (4) plain popcorn in a bag with holes, and (5) popcorn with oil in a bag with holes. (The holes were punched with a standard paper punch).
The lightest, fluffiest was (5). It came out even better than popcorn popped on the stove in a pot with oil.
Joined: 26 Oct
Posts: 535
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 11:31 pm
Post subject:
When you make popcorn on the stove, NEVER cover the pot with anything but a screen type pot cover. A collander upside down covering the pot is also fine. The steam MUST be allowed to escape unimpeded. The steam is what makes popcorn tough.
LoraA444
Joined: 07 Jan
Posts: 1
Location: Bethel, CT
Posted: Sun Jan 07, 7:32 pm
Post subject:
I always use the brown bags for popped corn. Yummy!
Want more information on plastic microwave popcorn bags? Feel free to contact us.
kimGuest
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 6:36 am
Post subject: Here is an article about pot. hazard fr. microwave popcorn
Check it out here - there is a chemical used to make butter flavoring called diacetyl that releases toxic fumes when heated and has "completely destroyed the lungs" of popcorn factory workers. No one knows if it is dangerous on the consumer level since the FDA won't investigate the issue and the EPA is limiting the release of their information to flavor manufacturers (personally, I don't think they should be allowed to withhold any information - tax dollars fund the studies which I do think should be done, but all information should be made public).
kimGuest
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 6:39 am
Post subject:
as for the paper bag leaching chemicals, i'd imagine unbleached would be better as the aforementioned article suggests. really not sure about potential chemicals in paper or if recycled versus non recycled would be better. haven't come across literature on that yet. you might also consider the glue they use on the paper, though i'd imagine they'd use something as non toxic as elmer's. but you never know.
pilot guyGuest
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 12:46 am
Post subject: Re: Here is an article about pot. hazard fr. microwave popco
Check it out here - there is a chemical used to make butter flavoring called diacetyl that releases toxic fumes when heated and has "completely destroyed the lungs" of popcorn factory workers. No one knows if it is dangerous on the consumer level since the FDA won't investigate the issue and the EPA is limiting the release of their information to flavor manufacturers (personally, I don't think they should be allowed to withhold any information - tax dollars fund the studies which I do think should be done, but all information should be made public).
Just about any oil that is aerosolized will cause serious lung problems, so I doubt it is just the result of the chemical. Haven't you ever heard of lipoid pneumonia for example.
Joined: 17 Dec
Posts: 77
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 11:56 pm
Post subject: .
I'm a big fan of AB, and have tried the microwave lunch bag trick. But IMHO, pop your corn in a pan with coconut oil. It's still not healthy, but a far more pleasant way to die
JulieB
Joined: 30 Oct
Posts: 8
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 3:39 pm
Post subject:
Here's another thought for a quick toasted cheese sandwich, to avoid the grill. . .not the same, but less the fat. Toast bread, make cheese sandwich, place in lunch bag, heat very quickly. . .about 2 seconds. Will depend on your microwave. Not like Grama used to make, but it's a warm Office Special alternative in crunch time.
livinlargeinthesun
Joined: 04 Nov
Posts: 1
Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2:19 pm
Post subject:
I have never heard of popping popcorn this way. I will definitely have to try it. Thanks!
Dude111
Joined: 23 Sep
Posts: 142
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 8:39 am
Post subject:
Welcome.....
I dont see why they wouldnt be OK..
Display posts from previous:
Welcome to the eG Forums, a service of the eGullet Society for Culinary Arts & Letters. The Society is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the culinary arts. These advertising-free forums are provided free of charge through donations from Society members. Anyone may read the forums, but to post you must create a free account.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website can you put brown paper bag in microwave.