The popcorn experiment == two failures, next cinnamon rolls

Discussion in 'The Village Square' started by toni, Aug 3, 2011.

  1. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    It started a little later in the day than I planned on but I had to grocery shop for Mom first.
    I put the bag of popcorn on the hood at 2:12 p.m. The outside temperature was 105.
    [​IMG]
    Will it pop or not? ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden )

    The temperature of the hood of the truck since it had been sitting in the sun at the store and Mom's apartment was

    [​IMG]
    Temperature of hood of truck ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden )

    I'll check on it every once in a while and take photos of any changes that might occur.
     
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  3. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Interesting experiment! I collected eggs from the girls at noon when the temp was 102, and since one was cracked (I really must do something about Bianca's weight problem) I put it on a stone. I just went out at 3 p.m. to check on them and the egg was fried.
    Have we discovered an alternative method of fixing a dinner of fried egg and popcorn?
     
  4. Netty

    Netty Chaotic Gardener Plants Contributor

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    Holy cow! You Texans are tough! LOL I don't think I could function at those temperatures. But I'm darn good at handling -35°C ;)
    I'm curious to see how much popcorn you got Toni.
     
  5. Droopy

    Droopy Slug Slaughterer Plants Contributor

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    Gogogogo! I want to see that bag when it's done. :D

    You'll end up finding wonderful new ways of cooking outside the way you're going.
     



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  6. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    While the idea sounds plausible, a little research revealed that popcorn pops at approximately 180*C which is 356*F. I doubt that the hood temperature can get that high, 178*F is surprising as I have never really known what the temperature could reach. It would have been great if it did pop.

    Jerry
     
  7. dooley

    dooley Super Garden Turtle

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    It was 108 where I was today. I think it was hotter than that inside the truck as I couldn't find a tree to park it under. I didn't have any popcorn or an egg so I couldn't try it. I think I burned my fingers on the steering wheel. I need to start carrying a pair of gloves or get one of those cloth covers for the steering wheel.
    dooley
     
  8. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Well the great popcorn experiment was a failure. It was 109 for most of the afternoon but I had to keep changing it's location to stay in the sun,....then the sky filled with high thin clouds which dimmed the sun but stayed hot.
    The bag did puff up a bit but the only thing that happened was the butter melted.

    My oldest daughter is a science teacher and when she came over to pickup her youngest she was curious about the popcorn on the car. She really liked the idea and was hoping it would work too.

    Tomorrow is another day of 109 or higher, I think I will try again but put the bag on the dashboard inside the truck with the windows up and see if that works.
     
  9. cherylad

    cherylad Countess of Cute-ification Plants Contributor

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    Is there any difference in the popping temps of bagged microwave popcorn versus the "old fashioned" kind (do they still sell that in the stores?)
    Would a cast iron skilled filled with the proper amount of oil and "regular" popcorn inside the truck out in the blazing heat actually pop?
    Hmmmm....
     
  10. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    No matter how an experiment turns out it is always presents an opportunity to learn and to try something different. Nice temp meter, non contact too. Your experiment is interesting. Food for thought.

    Jerry
     
  11. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Okay, two grown women are trying to pop corn on a truck and cook eggs on rocks. Do you think the heat may have gotten to us?
    Jerry, you are now on my "enabler" list with Toni and Cheryl.
     
  12. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Jerry, my hubby has all sorts of cool toys. He is a HAM radio operator and storm spotter and uses that as a excuse to indulge his need for gadgets. ;)

    It's all the heats fault...with a little inspiration from Jerry of course.

    We aren't the only ones though, there were two ladies who baked cookies in their cars...
    http://www.wfaa.com/younews/126709398.html
    http://www.wfaa.com/younews/126744178.html

    and one who cooked a roast with potatoes, onions and carrots on the dashboard of her car and ate it for lunch...took about 5 hours to cook.
    http://www.wfaa.com/younews/126720823.html

    Yep, I think our brains are cooked too.
     
  13. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    Somewhere in Texas someone is working on 'The Texas Car/Truck Hood Cookbook,' it is too good of an opportunity to pass up. I googled the web site but drew blank. Someone is working to correct the problem..........A ROAST!!!! wow!!

    I see I made Jane's prestigious "Enabler List." Thank you Jane, and to be in with such noteworthy company, I am honored. :)

    In the In a never-ending quest for the 'perfect car hood' popcorn, I think that some corn may have been developed for microwaves and others for hot air poppers and still others for stovetop poppers. There may still be a possible car hood candidate. I can see it now.....walking down the snack food aisle in the grocery store and find a box labeled 'car hood popcorn' Oh, this post is sliding downhill fast. :)

    The color of the hood may provide another variable to the popping equation. Time to measure car/truck hood temperatures. I'm going to get me one of those handy gadgets.

    And the saga continues........Good Grief Charlie Brown....We have found something to do with the heatwave besides watch things turn brown.

    Jerry
     
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  14. mart

    mart Strong Ash

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    Yesterday afternoon registered 114 here. Mmmm,,lets see what I need for dinner and save a little on the electric bill.
     
  15. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Autographed copies of the Red Gate Farm Cook It on Your Truck Hood cookbook will soon be available. Reserve your copy now, and you will get a complimentary brochure on Flat Rock Cooking.
     
  16. Evil Roy

    Evil Roy In Flower

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