Event & School Fundraising Ideas

When it comes to fundraising for special events and schools, the number one goal is to have a high profit margin. We’ve done the math for you and can report that concession foods bring in an average of 70%–80% profits, making it an ideal way to raise money. You don’t have to be an expert to see this kind of a return. Here at Gold Medal, we’re available to give you fundraiser tips from themes to concession choices and more. From training your volunteer staff to choosing the right size popcorn machine, you can browse our site for school fundraising ideas and so much more.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

How to Make Cotton Candy in a Commercial Machine

Understanding the Process of Making Cotton Candy

Cotton candy is one of the simplest snacks to consume, but exactly how do you make it?

How Does a Cotton Candy Machine Work, Anyway?

The process is not unlike caramelizing sugar on a stovetop. Crystal sugar is poured into the machine’s spinner head, where the heating element melts it. The force of the spinning mechanism pushes the sugar against the heating element. Thus, the sugar is transformed into tiny strands, like a hard candy.

How to Make Cotton Candy

Always follow the instructions in your equipment manual. Fill the floss head 90% full of Flossugar. DO NOT overfill, and never add sugar when motor is running. Follow directions for power and heat controls. Make sure the room humidity isn’t too high, or the cotton candy will be too heavy.

When the unit begins to make floss, select a paper cone. With a light flicking action, roll the cone in the web of floss building up in the pan. Lift the cone up with the ring of floss attached and rotate the cone to wrap the floss. Don’t try to roll the floss with the cone still inside the pan – this will wrap it too tightly.

If the floss doesn’t stick to the cone, pass it near the spinner head to pick up a start of melted sugar. Then lift it out of the pan and wrap the floss using a figure-eight movement with your hand. Use this diagram for an example.

Cotton Candy Ingredients

Cotton candy is essentially just made of sugar. However, while you can make it using regular sugar, it’s recommended that you use specially formulated Flossugar instead. What is Flossugar? It’s made up of a larger granule sugar which absorbs color and flavor better, making a more consistent product. Flossugar produces the signature look and taste customers expect, from traditional pink vanilla and blue raspberry to more gourmet flavors.

Cotton Candy Machines and Accessories

To make great-tasting cotton candy, you’ll need the best equipment. Attract customer attention with an eye-catching cart or wagon, a colorful bubble cover, merchandisers to display your product, and other accessories.