I just bought a 1.1 size microwave. I tried popping a full size bag of popcorn using 2 pushes of the popcorn setting. The bottom popcorn came out black. Any idea why?

Most M/W use an estimated setting based on ounces of corn. I've found that many do not tell you how much is in each bag. The bags usually have no size markings. Check the face of the box for something like "2 each 3 oz bags".
* Try to use a normal re-heat setting (at full power) and cook a bag using the a minute longer than the recommended setting. Listen to the popping sounds and stop the M/W when the pops slow to 3-4 seconds. (2-3 seconds with 'Kettle' corn) Note the time lapsed and this is your correct setting. You may try the popcorn menu to find a similar setting but really your best bet is to use the method above as it's the most accurate.
* Note; Old or stale corn will not all pop (it dries out as it gets older and there is not enough moisture in the kernnal to steam pop.)
* M/W varies from model to model and brand to brand. Only way to check is to try several settings to get the best results.
* Pop corn brands vary in quality. You will find the better name brands pop more.
* Once you find a good popping brand then stick to that size and brand. (unless they change it on you.)
* If your really stuck on getting every corn kern popped then go with an air popper. It won't come out of cooker till it pops.

Good movie, don't forget the goobers, milk duds, frosty...
Aloha, ukeboy57

I have never seen a microwave that doesn't burn popcorn if you use the "popcorn" button. Why the manufacturers keep putting them on I'll never understand. There's nothing you can do change the presets on an oven since they are built into the controller. Instead of relying on the oven, you should follw the directions on the bag. These tell you to use high power, stay by the oven and stop the cooking when the time between pops drops to 1 or 2 seconds. Stored heat will continue to pop kernels for a bit, and you won't cremate your popcorn. You'll also avoid the possibility of the bag catching fire and damaging the oven, which I have seen several times. Finally, don't expect 100% of the kernels to pop. There wil always be a few duds, and extending the cooking time just results in burned popcorn.

Always place the bag of popcorn on an upside-down paper plate.

This allows more microwaves to penetrate the bag from the bottom.

Also always place food of any kind in the microwave off-center on the tray, NOT in the middle of the tray.

Not only does it cook more evenly (think of how you stir liquid) but it also prevent the same spot from being heated repeatedly on the glass turntable, which can lead to overheating and breakage.

We're happy to help you with free advice and we'd appreciate your thoughtful rating of our answer.

Check the power setting it may be too high and are you useing microwave popcorn?you generally can not use standard popcorn in a microwave.The power setting required is on the bag of microwave popcorn

If the microwave functions normally while cooking everything else, but is only burning popcorn, there is no component problem that will cause this. You cannot adjust or replace any internal component to make it not burn popcorn. All power levels and program options are contolled by the consumer at the control panel. Refer to your owner;s manual for their recommendations.

If the oven is equipped with a popcorn feature button, it is programmed for a recommended power level and time. This is an ESTIMATED program feature. The manufacturers of both the oven and the popcorn will also give directions that tell you to turn the oven off when the popping slows to about a pop every 2 seconds. Failure to do so can result in burning.

If the microwave does not come with a popcorn feature button, the manufacturers of the popcorn have directions on the outside of the box that tell you what POWER LEVEL and TIME to set the oven on for the desired result. Again, the you still have to listen as the bag pops to ensure it does not burn.

In addition, on some microwave ovens, there is a feature that allows you to select the SIZE of the popcorn bag. Some popcorn manufacturers have smaller snack size bags that don't take as long to pop. You have to select the appropriate size to get the correct program option.

In any case, you never are to place popcorn in a microwave oven and walk away from it. All these program features are ESTIMATIONS based on manufacturers testing and recommendations for the best results. All microwave ovens are different and operate at different power levels. Your best judge is to listen as it pops.

I hope this helps you.

all microwaves have flame sensors that will cut the power in case of fire, this sensor will most likely have to be replaced. this will require you to drop the m/w and remove the case.

You need to use one of the metal racks that came with the Viking microwave to raise the popcorn bag off the bottom of the microwave. It works great!

Placing the bag on an inverted glass bowl or pyrex casserole dish worked!!!!!  For 2 years, I have cursed my Dacor microwave for its inability to make popcorn (burns a hole in the bag, bag stays flat, almost no kernels pop, etc...)  I read the last suggestion to use the glass plate and I am now sitting with a bowl full of perfectly popped popcorn - with only 1 kernel unpopped.  The metal tray in the microwave conducts too many waves through the bag I guess.
Thanks for the solution!

Awesome.

use Orville Rickenbacker ah you know who lol set it for five minutes when you hear it slow take it out works for me no the oven don't need repair popcorn's tough the best way i know to make popcorn is an electric skillet yum yum