Homemade popcorn is one of my favorite snacks and I've made it many times to perfection on the stove at my house.

I've been traveling for several months now and I just recently got access to a limited kitchen. I was craving some popcorn so I bought some kernels and gave it a try and it was a disaster.

First I used the electic pan, then I tried another batch in an air fryer. I used coconut oil in both batches. In both instances a few kernels would pop at the beginning then the kernels would just sit there until they started to burn and I gave up. I ended up with blakend un-poped kernels. With the electic pan I thought I might not have enough heat, but I'm pretty sure that's not the case with the air fryer. They definitely had enought oil and the oil was sizzling so all I can think is that there is something wrong with the kernels I bought, but I'm still not sure.

Has anyone else ever experienced this? Kernles just turning black and burnt without poping? Does anyone know what is causing this?