Buying guide for Best cotton candy machines
There’s nothing that brings out your inner child quite like cotton candy. The magical, fluffy confection infuses any gathering with a sense of joy and wonder. It can take a birthday party, fundraiser, or movie night to a whole new level.
But you can’t easily pick up fresh cotton candy in the grocery checkout line, or make it on your stovetop. It takes some equipment, planning, and patience. Cotton candy machines aren’t hard to find, though, and may make a good investment for a group that regularly organizes public events, or for a family that entertains regularly.
Cotton candy machine considerations
When shopping for cotton candy machines, it’s important to decide whether you need a commercial machine or a simpler consumer gadget for use at home.
Commercial cotton candy machines are much more expensive than ones designed for home use. They’re the kind you see at fairs, festivals, and at sporting events. They are usually larger, may come mounted on a cart for easier portability, and can make significant amounts of cotton candy in a short time period.
Consumer cotton candy machines are fun for families and friends to use, but they don’t produce the same quantities that a commercial machine does. They’re not going to supply enough of the sweet treat for a crowd – at least not in a timely manner. They’re best used to pass a rainy afternoon, to brighten a smaller group event, or to make a bag or two of cotton candy ahead of time for a larger gathering.
Expert tip
If you’re using wooden skewers or chopsticks to build your cotton candy around and hand out, pre-soak them in water overnight to offer just enough moisture to get the cotton candy to stick to it and start the cloud of deliciousness.
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Cotton candy machine features
Cotton candy machines don’t have a lot of variations or bells and whistles, but the quality of its components and ease of use is what sets different brands apart.
Heating
Melting your sugar or hard candy is one of the first steps in the process. Look for machines that heat up quickly, and can keep your sugar mixture at relatively consistent temperatures. A quality commercial machine may take five minutes or less to warm up. Lower-priced machines meant for casual use are more likely to take up to ten minutes.
Speed
No one likes to wait for cotton candy, especially kids, but some machines have a longer wait time than others. Machines meant to please crowds can produce two to three servings per minute, while consumer machines may take up to five minutes to deliver a single serving. Some commercial machines will probably list their wattage or motor speed; consumer machines will not.
Lids
Cotton candy cones are made by collecting sprays of cotton candy threads in a wide bowl. But sugary strands often escape the bowl. Domed lids can keep loose candy strands in the bowl and off your counters and floors. If the model you order doesn’t come with a lid, consider buying one separately.
Safety
Your machine is going to attract a crowd, so make sure that your cotton candy machine has appropriate safety features. Its bowl should lock into place so that you won’t risk spilling melted sugar everywhere. Guards should keep sugar, threads, and other debris out of the motor.
Removable bowl
When you’re making cotton candy, messes are inevitable. Look for models with bowls that are easy to remove and clean. Most machines recommend cleaning with warm, soapy water after each use to avoid sticky buildup.
Reservoir size
Commercial cotton candy makers have enough room in their reservoirs to melt candy for many servings at once. Machines intended for home use may have space for a few servings, but some only have room for one serving at a time.
Cart
Some, but not all, commercial cotton candy machines will come with a cart. Carts should be sturdy enough to hold the machine and include space to store supplies, as well as several slots to hold cones.
Materials
Some cotton candy machines come with floss sugar to get you started. Others don’t. Make sure you know what you’re getting to avoid disappointed and unplanned trips to the store.
Did you know?
Sugar-free hard candies can be used in some cotton candy machines to make a sweet treat for diabetics.
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Cotton candy machine prices
As you might expect, there are significant price differences between home and commercial cotton candy makers.
Inexpensive
Budget cotton candy makers intended for home use usually cost less than $50. At this price, machines will have many plastic components, take 10 to 20 minutes to heat up, and produce small amounts of cotton candy at a time.
Mid-range
Entry-level commercial machines will normally cost between $150 and $200. They will have metal components, heat up quickly, and deliver two or more servings per minute. In this price range, they will probably not include a cart.
Expensive
High-end commercial machines will cost $200 or more. At this price, cotton candy machines should feature strong motors that can produce multiple servings per minute. They should heat up quickly and have plenty of safety features. Most should come with well-appointed carts that make them easily portable for festivals, parties, and other events.
Expert tip
If you’re pre-making cotton candy for an event, keep an eye on the weather. Sugar absorbs water, and because cotton candy is nothing but fine strands of sugar, a humid environment like a rainy day, or even a sunny day near a body of water, can melt your cotton candy in an hour or two. To increase your odds of success, bag your cotton candy as air-tightly as you can, and make it within 24 hours of your event. If you can make it “a la minute,” or “on the spot,” that’s safest.
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Tips
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If weather permits, consider using your machine outside to minimize the mess.
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Check carefully to make sure you know what kind of sugar your machine can handle.
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If you decide to use hard candy, only use types that are made with corn syrup.
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Using hard candy rather than sugar lets you create a variety of fun, intense flavors.
FAQ
Q. What kind of sugar should I use in my cotton candy machine?
A. It depends upon your specific machine. Some cotton candy machines require floss sugar, while others can handle superfine or even granulated sugar. A handful of machines work with hard candy, as long as it’s made with corn syrup, and chopped or crushed. Peppermint cotton candy could make a delightful Christmas party treat, and Jolly Rancher, butterscotch, or cinnamon cotton candy raises some intriguing possibilities. Be sure to check your manufacturer’s instructions for its specific requirements, because sticky sugar of the wrong sort could wreak havoc on your machine.
Expert tip
Make your cotton candy unique – try swirling two or three colors together.
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Q. Can I make cotton candy in different colors?
A. Of course it’s easiest to buy candy floss in the color of your choice, but if your machine allows the use of granulated sugar, you can use food coloring to create a variety of hues. Put the sugar in a sturdy, sealable plastic bag, add food coloring gel to the bag, and mash it all together until you achieve the desired tint. If all you have is liquid food coloring, you can put the sugar in a bowl and mix in the liquid food coloring with a fork or spoon. This method will take a little longer, though, because it requires you to dry the sugar in a shallow dish for about an hour.
Q. Can I change the flavor of my cotton candy?
A. Yes! Again, the easiest way to get fun flavors is to buy flavored floss sugar, but you can add your own flavorings if your machine can handle granulated or superfine sugar. Some users recommend submerging a vanilla bean or orange peel in your sugar for several days to add these flavors. You can also add liquid extracts or candy flavorings to your sugar in a similar way that you added food coloring. It’s not advisable to add essential oils to sugar, because large quantities can make some people sick. Adding powdered spices to your sugar can also damage your machine because ingredients like cocoa powder or cinnamon will not melt at the same temperature as sugar. Stick to liquid flavorings the sugar can absorb or items that will slowly infuse their flavor into the sugar over time.
