Wayne,

This Panasonic microwave is so powerul that the only thing I use
full-power on is boiling water/making tea. For anything else, I drop
the power down to seven or eight to put it down to the old fashioned
1,000 watt power rating. If Top Spin is still reading, this may
account for his burned popcorn. (I make my popcorn with olive oil on
the cooktop so no advice there.)

I find the lower power setting cooks food more evenly.

Ken