Buying a Cotton Candy Machine
Whether you’re hosting a kids’ birthday party or just want to spin up some candy floss in your kitchen, a cotton candy machine is an essential tool. The best machines offer reliable performance and are easy to clean.
Typical cotton candy machines feature a spinning head enclosing a “sugar reserve” bowl into which a charge of granulated sugar (colored or ‘plain’) is poured. Heaters near the rim of the head melt the sugar, which then squeezes out through tiny holes by centrifugal force.
Countertop
If you’re looking for a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth at home, a cotton candy machine is an excellent option. Not only does it bring a touch of nostalgia to your kitchen, but it also lets you experiment with different flavors and ingredients.
Whether you want to make a few cones for a special birthday party or whip up a batch of cotton floss to decorate your next sundae, a countertop model is the best way to go. These machines are easy to clean, come with all the basic supplies you need, and are a fraction of the price of professional-grade models.
Countertop machines typically feature a smaller bowl and are designed for home use. If you plan to serve lots of people, consider a larger commercial machine that can handle multiple customers at once.
Some commercial-grade cotton candy machines even come with a separate warmer head that makes it easier to keep the confection warm while serving multiple customers at once. However, these units aren’t as compact as home models and can be bulky to store.
To use a countertop cotton candy maker, simply add sugar or hard candies and let it heat up. Once it’s ready, simply spin the sugar and watch as it creates whispy clouds of cotton candy.
If you’re in the market for a countertop cotton candy maker, Nostalgia Electrics offers a classic vintage design that’s sure to delight your kids and their friends. Allrecipes food editor Nicole Russell called it a “big hit” as a beginner machine, saying it’s “super simple and just like what you’d get at the carnival.”
This is a great choice for kids who aren’t ready to jump into professional-grade machinery yet, and it’s compact enough to fit on a kitchen counter without taking up much space. Plus, cleanup is easy — just wash out the floss sugar and replace it with new candy sticks after each use.
For a professional-level machine that’s ideal for medium-sized businesses, look for the Winco Commercial Cotton Candy Machine (view at Amazon). This countertop machine can crank out 60 cones per hour and has a unique extractor head for easy cleaning. It comes in a bubble gum pink color and includes floss sugar and reusable cones, too.
Cart
The cart version of Arcade Game Machine the Cotton Candy Machine is a great option for those looking to bring a carnival-style feel and excitement to their party. The cart brings a classic look to the candy making experience, and it also helps keep the working area safe.
This cart comes with a high-performance belt driven machine, a three bin storage drawer and a 950-Watt heating element that works hard to spin fluffy clouds of floss sugar into delicious treats for parties and special events. The cart is designed to be mobile and easy to move around, with 13-inch rubber wheels and side shelves for prepping and merchandising.
With a production rate of one cotton candy cone every 30 seconds, this unit is perfect for delivering a big dose of fun to your guests at a fair, a wedding, a birthday party or other event. It’s a great way to add some nostalgia and fun to any event, while bringing in a healthy portion of cash to your business.
It’s easy to use, too: turn the power switch on, wait for it to warm up, and then add your floss sugar. The machine will then start spinning the floss sugar in a cone.
Then, let your children get involved, or just watch them in amazement as they spin their own sweet creations! The clear rim lets onlookers see their cotton candy spinning without touching it, and the suction cups hold the machine securely to your table or countertop.
For kids or adults alike, this Nostalgia Cart brings the magic of old-fashioned carnivals to your home or playroom with its classic vintage design and wheels. It’s ideal for birthday parties, sleepovers and casual gatherings at home or in the backyard.
This cart features a pink color and a vintage-inspired look that is sure to attract attention at your next carnival or event. It’s ideal for capturing customers’ attention, increasing impulse sales and generating high profit margins.
The cart has a convenient pull cord, stainless steel spacer and four casters that are compatible with any of Gold Medal’s floss machines. The cart is also easy to clean, so it will be ready for your next event!
Commercial
Commercial cotton candy machines are a staple at amusement parks, carnivals, and other venues where people flock for sweet treats. They’re easy to use and produce delicious, colorful cotton candy for all ages.
Cotton candy is made by heating sugar to a precise temperature and then spinning the molten sugar into wispy, stringy strands of colorful candy Arcade Game Machine floss that cool as they come out of the machine. The process has been around for a century or so and remains relatively simple to operate.
A commercial cotton candy machine is a large, industrial-style machine with a bowl for the sugar and a floss head that spins the molten sugar into threads of colorful candy floss. They can be used to make a wide range of candy, from traditional flossing sugars and milk sugars to fruit cubes or hard candies.
Whether you’re a small business owner or just want to make your own fun, the most important thing is to find the right cotton candy machine for the job. That means determining what your goals are and what features will help you meet them.
The first thing you need is a machine that can hold its heat long enough to create plenty of servings in a short period of time. Generally, commercial machines that use 1,800 watts or more can produce six to eight servings in just a minute.
If you’re making a lot of cotton candy, it’s worth investing in a model that holds its heat for longer periods of time. That way, you’ll be able to keep making treats all day without worrying about your machine shutting down.
Another consideration is the number of cones per hour you need to make. The number of cones depends on the number of people you expect to eat your cotton candy.
Some machines also come with reusable plastic cones, which are convenient and inexpensive to buy. However, paper cones are traditional and have their place for one reason – they keep your hands from sticking to the hot parts of the machine, so you can easily pick up and eat the candy without getting sticky or messy.
Portable
The portable version of the Cotton Candy Machine is a great option for kids who aren’t old enough to use the countertop version. It also offers a lot of power in a small footprint. The clear plastic rim makes it easy to watch candy being spun, and the suction cups keep it in place on your countertop or table.
It’s also ideal for parties and fund raisers, since it can make a ton of treats in a short amount of time. Moreover, the patented removal head is easy to clean and allows you to change flavors of sugar floss with a snap.
This commercial-grade unit makes two cones per minute, and can produce a lot of fluffy, sweet candy without breaking down or smelling up your kitchen like other cheaper machines might. Its plastic bubble shield helps you collect the floss on a cone and prevents strands of sugar from blowing away, and it comes with a cart for portability and storage.
The machine itself is made from stainless steel, so it won’t rust or get food stuck in it. It’s also BPA-free, which makes it safer for kids to use.
When choosing a machine, consider its size and how often you’ll be using it. For example, if you plan to make a lot of cotton candy for parties or fundraisers, you’ll want a bigger one with a larger sugar tank.
Some commercial-grade models also come with a thermostat and heating switch, so you can adjust the temperature to get a perfectly fluffy result every time. They’re also usually easier to clean and more sturdier than cheaper countertop options.
These machines can cost a fair amount, but they’re well worth the investment. They can help you create a profitable business that will last for years to come.
Whether you’re looking for a basic home machine or a more high-end commercial unit, there are plenty of choices available online and in stores. You just need to know what you’re looking for and where to buy it.
A great option for kids is this pink Nostalgia model, which is compact and lightweight yet produces an impressive amount of fluffy, sweet candy. It has a clear plastic rim so you can supervise kids who are trying to make their own confections (with adult supervision, of course).
