Cotton Candy: Not the easiest thing to produce? It should be.
Whether you’re training a beginner or addressing questions from a
current customer, it helps to have a reference point for what can affect the
process of making cotton candy. Keep
this list handy and share it when you’re consulting.
Humidity – Humidity is probably the biggest challenge to making
great cotton candy. As the humidity
increases, the ability to make good fluffy cotton candy diminishes. If you can escape the humidity, as in an air
conditioned facility, you will be better off.
When that isn’t an option, turning up the heat can be helpful. However, the strand diameter will increase, which
results in a coarser (less fluffy) product.
Airflow – Excessive airflow from the wind or a fan will
literally blow your product away. In
windy conditions the answer is to add one of our “Floss Bubbles.” They come in
clear, blue or pink. (You’ll find them
on page 61 of our 2017 catalog.)
Sugar – Not just any sugar will do. Some sugars can actually damage your
equipment. Never use raw organic sugar
as it may contain plant particles and will quickly burn in your machine. Brown sugar should not be used. The molasses in the brown sugar keeps it from
flowing free in the spinner head and will burn if it comes in contact with the heating
element. Use only highly refined, white,
regular granulation table sugar. For
best results, we recommend Gold Medal Flossugar, available in an assortment of
flavors.
Vibration - The spinner head is spinning at over 3400 RPMs. If the spinner head becomes unbalanced, it
can cause excessive vibration, which can be harmful to bearing and springs. When servicing the spinner head make sure
that the band and element assembly is carefully centered with the upper and
lower spinner head to keep vibration at a minimum.
Never run the machine without releasing the spinner head
from its transporting position. If it
has the black Lock-N-Go® handles make sure they are in the vertical position,
which allows the head assembly to be supported by its spring suspension system.
Low Floss Output – A reduced floss output is typically caused
by one of two things: loss of sugar or loss of heat. To make sure sugar is getting to the heating
element it must be dry and “clump” free.
After pouring fresh sugar into the head, run the entire load of sugar
before turning the head off. If it is
turned off with sugar still in the head, the sugar will solidify around the
element and impede the flow of sugar when the head is restarted.
If the output problem is caused from a loss of heat there
are a couple of things to look at before service is needed. First, never use an extension cord with any
of our cotton candy machines. Extension
cords will result in a loss of power. The
second consideration is regarding the heating element itself. There is not much to look at without the
proper tools and training to perform a complete diagnostic. However, if the loss of heat has occurred
immediately after having the head disassembled it is possible that the element
wires were not connected correctly. The
first thing to do is to disconnect the machine from any source of electrical
power and ensure that it cannot be powered back up until you are ready. Look closely at the wires that come from the
heating element and make sure that they are firmly attached to the copper terminals. Each wire must go to a different terminal. The terminals are separated with each one
being on opposite sides of the center stud in the spinner head.
BEACH CITIES WHOLESALERS is here to help you address Cotton
Candy concerns. Call us Today at
562-355-4074 for technical or any advise we can share to help you make Cotton
Candy a money maker for you this season.
