When I was about 14 I decided to make popcorn balls. I had the recipe and all, it seemed simple, right? Well that's when I discovered that I was absolutely unable to make popcorn on the stove like mom did. The shit burned so bad that you could barely see in the kitchen! My parents came home and thought the house was on fire due to the smoke pouring out of the window.

I've never attempted "old fashioned" popcorn again. It's either air popped or microwave.

I had the same issue with bacon. By the time I thought it was done, it would be burned. I've since discovered that you can make bacon (heh) in the oven and it's great! Not as greasy.