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How to Make Cotton Candy

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You may not want to hear this, but your mother was right. Cotton candy IS pure sugar. However, to get the sugar into a “cottony” consistency requires some specific conditions. To make cotton candy, you need: heat, a set of very small holes, a spinning head, and a bowl to catch the threads. The head contains the heater, which melts the sugar into a liquid. As the head spins, it forces the melted sugar through a set of tiny holes to form threads. As soon as the threads of sugar hit the air, they solidify. This cooling process collects a web of sugar threads inside the bowl, which can be easily collected on a paper cone.

When operating a cotton candy machine, there are several things to keep in mind. First, you should moisten the inside of the floss pan so the floss will adhere to the pan. Then, follow the operating instructions for your machine to begin making the floss. Make sure that the floss is adhering to the floss pan. Picking up the floss with the cone takes practice. Pick up the cone and hold it an inch or two at the pointed end between your two fingers and thumb. Break into the web of floss with a light flicking action. If the floss is not sticking to the cone, wet the cone with a damp sponge. Rotate the cone to wind the floss around is. Do not roll floss on the cone inside the floss pan. Roll it on the outside of the pan only. When you are through making cotton candy, run all of the sugar out of the floss head. When the head is empty, turn the heat on high for one minute to remove the carbon from the ribbons. Unplug the electrical cord and wipe off the floss head with a damp cloth, being careful not to let water enter the floss head.

When selecting sugar for your cotton candy machine, you can use any 100% pure cane or beet sugar. Avoid using extra fine granulated sugar, Bottler’s Fine, and “free flowing” sugar as they may contain cornstarch, which will burn and clog the ribbons. You can use coarse sugars, but a higher voltage will be necessary. You can also use premixed sugar, color, and flavorings for your cotton candy. These will be available at the location you rented your machine. If you decide to flavor your own cotton candy, avoid using ingredients with a starch or gum base, as it will burn on the ribbons.

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