Rational’s SelfCookingCenter® whitefficiency® makes perfect popcorn
The Rational SelfCookingCenter whitefficiency, better known for its roasting, poaching, grilling, frying and baking, makes wonderful popcorn. It brings the cinema experience to pubs, clubs and other venues that regularly screen sporting events or have film nights but don’t have a dedicated popcorn maker. Popcorn makes a perfect snack for serving during American themed events and major sporting occasions such as the SuperBowl and the World Series.
Popcorn became associated with cinema-going just after the turn of the 20th century when nickleodeons, the first generation of cinemas, began springing up in the US. At first popcorn vendors set up outside the cinemas selling to customers as they went in. Soon cinemas took popcorn making in-house and developed it into today’s popular snack which is enjoyed worldwide.
The Rational SelfCookingCenter provides the perfect popping environment for the popcorn, minimising the amount of annoying ‘spinsters’ (hard unpopped corn) that inevitably lurk at the bottom of the batch. To make popcorn the Rational way, all the operator has to do is select the grill setting, pre-heat a small amount of oil in an enameled container, then put in the popcorn and cover and cook for 7 minutes. Butter, salt, sugar or other flavourings can be added as required.
The smallest six grid SelfCookingCenter whitefficiency, Model 61, measures just 847mm (w) x 771mm (d) x 782mm. It is very easy to use – the control panel guides chefs through the cooking process so that no matter who is doing the cooking they will get the same perfect results, time after time for all regular bar snacks, restaurant meal – and popcorn. Rational recommends using 200g popcorn in its 65mm deep enamelled container with 50ml of oil.
Popcorn differs from other types of corn in that its hull has just the right thickness to allow it to burst open when it is heated. Each kernel of popcorn contains a small drop of water stored inside a soft starch. As the kernel heats up, the water begins to expand forcing the soft starch through the splitting hull. This cools immediately to form the familiar popcorn shape.