You may be wondering what a cotton candy machine is. This article is going to enlighten you about Cotton Candy Machines. Basically, this is a machine that is used for the making of candies .
It consists of a spinning head covering a bowl into which the colored granulated sugar is poured. It is also known as a fairy floss or candy floss.
How does a cotton candy machine work
It works under the principle of centrifugation. The machine heats and liquefies the sugar by spinning it centrifugally through very small holes. This makes the sugar to cool rapidly and then re-solidifies into fine strands.
You may have come across the cotton candies since they are mostly sold at festivals, fairs, circuses and carnivals. They are usually served on either a stick, paper cone or a plastic bag.
After using the machine, it should be left to warm up for at least 20 to 30 minutes before putting sugar into the machine again.
Step by step procedure on how to use a cotton candy machine
Step 1: pour sugar inside the machine
The first step is to pour the sugar into the machine. This sugar goes to the top of the machine’s spinner head. The spinner stir about 2 table spoons of the coloring into approximately 10 to 15 pounds of plain sugar.
Step 2: melting
Inside the spinner head, the sugar trickles down into the heating compartment. There is a metal coil that usually operates at around 350 degrees , which is enough to melt down the sugar . The spinner head flings the liquefied sugar outwards. This is achieved by a centrifugal force
Step 4: Floss slitting
A black steel ring known as a floss band surrounds the heating compartment. The liquid sugar is dispersed by rows of diagonal slits, found in the band, into thin filaments.
Step 5: cooling the candy
Cooling of the candy is done by a stabilizer. A stabilizer is a plastic net found inside the floss pan.
Factors you need to consider when purchasing a cotton candy machine
1.Your serving size.
If you have to serve large sized cotton candy, then a machine with a larger bag is required.
2. The level of skills you have or are willing to hire.
Some machines are easy to handle while others require a lot of skills to work with. In cases where you will require help from volunteers, then a simpler machine is advisable to use.
3. The number of colors you want to produce.
The complexity of a machine increases with the number of colors of cotton candy it produces . Those that produce more colors, however, require high level of maintenance.
4. The cost of the candy machine
Cost is usually the core factor many consider when going for a cotton candy machine. The price of the machine varies with its quality. If cost is to be considered , then you should probably go for the cheaper one . However cotton candy machine price in Kenya is usually affordable for everyone.
5. The required shelf life of the candy to be produced.
The shelf life of the cotton candy also depends on the packaging and not only production. Cotton candies stored in plastic containers tend to have a longer lifespan compared to the ones stored in bags.
6. The servings needed per a given time
In cases where more cotton candies are to be produced, a more advanced machine should be used since they work faster than the simpler ones .
7. The electrical requirements you need.
8. Your venue of cotton candy preparation.
Conclusion
Cotton Candy Machines are available in various varieties depending on quality, price, complexity and durability. This gives you a wide range to choose from according to your preference.
