Forget popcorn, cotton candy!

Monger · 10-22-07, 02:44 PM

I kid. I love popcorn too.

I was looking at popcorn machines at costco and found that they sell a cotton candy machine, with the similar cart style. Amazing!

I only have room for one, and won't be using either that frequently, and wanted to know if anyone has the cotton candy machine and how do you like it?

If I do the cotton candy machine, I will pick up a something like a stircrazy to make popcorn with.

buddahead · 10-22-07, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monger

I kid. I love popcorn too.

I was looking at popcorn machines at costco and found that they sell a cotton candy machine, with the similar cart style. Amazing!

I only have room for one, and won't be using either that frequently, and wanted to know if anyone has the cotton candy machine and how do you like it?

If I do the cotton candy machine, I will pick up a something like a stircrazy to make popcorn with.

I vote the popcorn maker will get alot more use.Who eats cottoncandy at the movies,Now if you have a fair in your basement and a rollercoaster then get the cottoncany maker.

Monger · 10-22-07, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddahead

I vote the popcorn maker will get alot more use.Who eats cottoncandy at the movies,Now if you have a fair in your basement and a rollercoaster then get the cottoncany maker.

I wasn't really asking for your personal preference, but the rollercoaster is a good idea. I may have to kick out my prize winning pig to fit it in there though. The great thing about my home theater is that I'm not at the commercial cinema. I can drink a beer, eat pizza, or cotton candy(which you can get at theaters btw) if that's what I'd like.

I can make popcorn in a microwave or in a stircrazy and my house won't smell like popcorn for days in the winter. It's covered. A cotton candy machine is unique, I don't know 15 other people that have them. Who knows, maybe I'll have more room then I though and end up with one of each. I'd more like to know impressions of how well the cotton candy machine works.

rickfritz · 10-22-07, 05:01 PM

I have used other small toy style cotton candy machines and they work very poorly. This machine is no toy at 1000 watts this is similar to the machines you can rent. Those machines work great and produce cotton candy just like at the fair. I was surprised to see that you can use just plain old sugar in the machine with a pinch of kool-aid for flavor and color. If you do get it make sure you give us a review.

Robby-P · 10-22-07, 05:05 PM

We had a cotton candy machine for years, it was great, the kids and their friends loved it! it was a little messy, but it was worth it. We ended up selling it a couple of years ago,our machine was a commercial machine and was a little big for our space, so we ended up selling it.

Gordon Shumway · 10-22-07, 05:11 PM

Seems like it could be a messy/sticky snack to deal with...tasty..but messy.

htomei22 · 10-22-07, 07:03 PM

Sounds interesting. What's the cost?

Monger · 10-22-07, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htomei22

Sounds interesting. What's the cost?

299 shipped from Costco. Amazon had it for 330 and lowes had it for 500.

edit: I think it was Home Depot, not Lowes

Monger · 10-22-07, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickfritz

I have used other small toy style cotton candy machines and they work very poorly. This machine is no toy at 1000 watts this is similar to the machines you can rent. Those machines work great and produce cotton candy just like at the fair. I was surprised to see that you can use just plain old sugar in the machine with a pinch of kool-aid for flavor and color. If you do get it make sure you give us a review.

The sugar and kool-aid was one of the things that got me. 50 different flavors of cotton candy to try.

My 8 year old daughter will be in heaven. I was actually more worried about how hard it would be to find the blue and red sugar once it ran out.

Robby-p sold me. I'm going to go ahead and order one this week. I'll let you know how it goes.

Gordon Shumway · 10-22-07, 08:03 PM

We'll alert your dentist(s).

vili · 10-22-07, 08:29 PM

I've always wanted one of these too, let me know how it turns out, I may have to go for one of these myself!

OldManClemens · 10-23-07, 02:42 AM

Which one are you getting? Do you have a link?
We got one a few years ago for about $250. We actually just used plain old sugar. On this model there was nothing covering the top of the machine, so sugary floss would be floating all over the place after making several things of it. Another irritating thing about it was that it took several cycles to get a decent size thing of cotton candy. Standing at the machine making cotton candy for everyone for over an hour got old real fast.
Make sure there is some sort of covering for it.

Monger · 10-23-07, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldManClemens

Which one are you getting? Do you have a link?
We got one a few years ago for about $250. We actually just used plain old sugar. On this model there was nothing covering the top of the machine, so sugary floss would be floating all over the place after making several things of it. Another irritating thing about it was that it took several cycles to get a decent size thing of cotton candy. Standing at the machine making cotton candy for everyone for over an hour got old real fast.
Make sure there is some sort of covering for it.

Here's the link

MidLife · 10-23-07, 11:31 AM

How does that machine compare with Gold Medal's entry level machine?
http://www.gmpopcorn.com/products/Co...Floss-Boss.php

The Costco unit is 44 lbs including cart and the Gold Medal is 37 lbs without the cart. There is also a difference of 300 watts. Is the Costco unit really suitable for "commercial" use??

Monger · 10-23-07, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidLife

How does that machine compare with Gold Medal's entry level machine?
http://www.gmpopcorn.com/products/Co...Floss-Boss.php

The Costco unit is 44 lbs including cart and the Gold Medal is 37 lbs without the cart. There is also a difference of 300 watts. Is the Costco unit really suitable for "commercial" use??

I'm not sure how they compare. The gold medal machine is probably better, but by the time you bought the machine, cart, and bubble it would cost 4-5x as much.

It would be interesting to hear from someone that had one if its powerful enough. If it doesn't work well enough I can always retrofit the cart to fit one of the standalone GM units. The price for the costco unit is about the price of just the cart for the GM.

buddahead · 10-23-07, 01:53 PM

That sounds great cotton candy floating around my HT and getting into my lens and screen.No thanks here.

Monger · 10-23-07, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddahead

That sounds great cotton candy floating around my HT and getting into my lens and screen.No thanks here.

I'm glad we solved that mystery.

MidLife · 10-23-07, 09:08 PM

It's just that many of the Nostalgia Electric products are lower end. This is fine, because they are designed as a novelty home-use product, but claiming approval for "commercial" use, I become a little sckeptical.

I was just curious if this machine really does produce cotton candy rapidly enough and consistently enough for serving guests.

DoyleS · 10-24-07, 08:03 PM

You really don't want a cotton candy machine anywhere near your theater or running in your house. A cotton candy machine has a big heater in the center of the bowl that heats the fine granulated sugar until it melts. The heater spins and the molten sugar flies out through slits in the side of the heater chamber. As the molten sugar flies through the air, it hardens into the fine strands of pink or blue cotton candy. As these hit the side of the bowl they begin to buildup (the ones that stay in the bowl) When you place the cone into the bowl and twirl it around the bowl you wrap up the strands. Meanwhile the new strands are going all over your arm. It cannot be operated anywhere there is a breeze for obvious reasons. This is one machine that belongs only at fairs, carnivals and kids events. Those that think otherwise had better make sure there is room in Fido's quarters as they will soon be residing there.

..Doyle (concessionaire in a former life)

MidLife · 10-24-07, 09:22 PM

bummer...so this is an "outdoor" toy?

str1der · 10-25-07, 12:07 PM

I would say go for the popcorn machine. I don't think there is a whole lot of difference in the taste of fresh cotton candy and just buying some from the store. Popcorn on the other hand is definitely different.

IrmoGamecoq · 10-25-07, 01:24 PM

Not to mention movie theatre themes just scream "Popcorn"...whereas I have never seen cotton candy being sold in a movie theatre.

It might be a fun thing to add later...but a popcorn machine should definitely come first.

htomei22 · 10-26-07, 01:35 PM

Thanks Doyle. Would have been nice, but that settles it for me...

elmalloc · 10-26-07, 08:15 PM

man i wanted a cotton candy machine!! i hate him for giving us that descriptin but also love him for saving our life

Projectorguy1 · 10-27-07, 08:36 PM

I dont totally agree - I have a GM machine, and we enjoy it very much. I definitely would give it up before my popcorn machine though. We use it about 2 times per month, and I make 10 or 12 baags, which I store in the unit to eat between uses. The machine makes it pretty fast, makes a bit of a mess, which can be cleaned up pretty quickly, and is LOVED by the neighborhood kids. I use flossine and regular sugar, and I sprinkle a few drops of water in the mix to bring out the color. I wouldn't keep it in the den, but I don't keep my popcorn machine there either.

Heres a pic:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...4&d=1185281547

Jerry

MidLife · 10-28-07, 11:16 AM

That's pretty kool. Looks heavy duty. Does the motor take up the space in the cart or is there room for storage under there? And that's a pretty tall bubble. How do you clean it? Do you have to take apart the "head" for cleaning each time? Is it difficult?

Projectorguy1 · 10-28-07, 08:40 PM

Hey!

Theres not a lot of storage space in the cart, but a little bit - not really intended for it anyway. The bubble contains most (not all) of the floss. Its pretty easy to clean. I just rinse out the bowl, and dry it. I allow the head to spin until its empty. It doesnt need any cleaning. The machine is a GM #3030 "Breeze", with a resistance element which lasts much longer than the ribbon heaters. It produces cotton candy pretty fast - I can fill a large bag in less than a minute.

Jerry

DoyleS · 10-29-07, 05:47 PM

Nice Machine. Gold Medal makes high quality concession equipment. Next time you make a batch post us a couple pics of the machine in operation. It sounds like you are bagging the cotton candy instead of twirling it onto a cone. Your machine does have a nice bubble to keep things reasonably under control. The biggest deal with cleaning is that the two parts that need cleaning(bowl and bubble)are large. Sugar obviously cleans up easily with hot water. If you have young kids, this is always a popular item. The Floss sugar comes in various colors and is readily available at most of the same places that carry popcorn machines. Glad it is working out for you. I think my Gold Medal Popper spends more time at the church than it does at my house.

..Doyle

elmalloc · 10-30-07, 06:50 AM

I want a cotton candy machine badly but they seem unsafe?

Projectorguy1 · 10-30-07, 08:46 AM

A hair dryer is unsafe if it is wired or used improperly. I dont think that the cotton candy machine is any safer or unsafe than a popcorn machine. You can hurt your hand on the spinning head if you get too careless while you are using it. You can buy it at Wally world or Movie Gallery, although theres nothing like making it and eating it while its still warm and fresh

10-22-07, 02:44 PM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
Monger Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NM Posts: 463	Forget popcorn, cotton candy! I kid. I love popcorn too. I was looking at popcorn machines at costco and found that they sell a cotton candy machine, with the similar cart style. Amazing! I only have room for one, and won't be using either that frequently, and wanted to know if anyone has the cotton candy machine and how do you like it? If I do the cotton candy machine, I will pick up a something like a stircrazy to make popcorn with. __________________ Nate

10-22-07, 05:05 PM	#5 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
Robby-P One Funky Dude Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: KC Posts: 155	We had a cotton candy machine for years, it was great, the kids and their friends loved it! it was a little messy, but it was worth it. We ended up selling it a couple of years ago,our machine was a commercial machine and was a little big for our space, so we ended up selling it.

10-22-07, 07:03 PM	#7 \| Link
htomei22 glenned disciple Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,785 Classified Rating: 100% (2)	Sounds interesting. What's the cost? __________________ but I digress......

10-22-07, 08:03 PM	#10 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
Gordon Shumway Pocketbook Brando Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: USA Posts: 1,462	We'll alert your dentist(s).

10-24-07, 08:03 PM	#19 \| Link
DoyleS AVS Special Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Sunnyvale, CA , USA Posts: 1,714	You really don't want a cotton candy machine anywhere near your theater or running in your house. A cotton candy machine has a big heater in the center of the bowl that heats the fine granulated sugar until it melts. The heater spins and the molten sugar flies out through slits in the side of the heater chamber. As the molten sugar flies through the air, it hardens into the fine strands of pink or blue cotton candy. As these hit the side of the bowl they begin to buildup (the ones that stay in the bowl) When you place the cone into the bowl and twirl it around the bowl you wrap up the strands. Meanwhile the new strands are going all over your arm. It cannot be operated anywhere there is a breeze for obvious reasons. This is one machine that belongs only at fairs, carnivals and kids events. Those that think otherwise had better make sure there is room in Fido's quarters as they will soon be residing there. ..Doyle (concessionaire in a former life) __________________ "So many tweeks....So little time!"

10-22-07, 05:01 PM	#4 \| Link
rickfritz Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Mid-West Posts: 120	I have used other small toy style cotton candy machines and they work very poorly. This machine is no toy at 1000 watts this is similar to the machines you can rent. Those machines work great and produce cotton candy just like at the fair. I was surprised to see that you can use just plain old sugar in the machine with a pinch of kool-aid for flavor and color. If you do get it make sure you give us a review.

10-22-07, 05:11 PM	#6 \| Link
Gordon Shumway Pocketbook Brando Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: USA Posts: 1,462	Seems like it could be a messy/sticky snack to deal with...tasty..but messy.

10-22-07, 08:29 PM	#11 \| Link
vili Nursing/HT student! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Martin, TN Posts: 1,559 Classified Rating: 100% (2)	I've always wanted one of these too, let me know how it turns out, I may have to go for one of these myself!

10-23-07, 02:42 AM	#12 \| Link
OldManClemens Newbie in training Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 30	Which one are you getting? Do you have a link? We got one a few years ago for about $250. We actually just used plain old sugar. On this model there was nothing covering the top of the machine, so sugary floss would be floating all over the place after making several things of it. Another irritating thing about it was that it took several cycles to get a decent size thing of cotton candy. Standing at the machine making cotton candy for everyone for over an hour got old real fast. Make sure there is some sort of covering for it.

10-23-07, 11:31 AM	#14 \| Link
MidLife AVS Special Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,564	How does that machine compare with Gold Medal's entry level machine? http://www.gmpopcorn.com/products/Co...Floss-Boss.php The Costco unit is 44 lbs including cart and the Gold Medal is 37 lbs without the cart. There is also a difference of 300 watts. Is the Costco unit really suitable for "commercial" use??

10-23-07, 01:53 PM	#16 \| Link
buddahead AVS Special Member AVS CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,678	That sounds great cotton candy floating around my HT and getting into my lens and screen.No thanks here.

10-23-07, 09:08 PM	#18 \| Link
MidLife AVS Special Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,564	It's just that many of the Nostalgia Electric products are lower end. This is fine, because they are designed as a novelty home-use product, but claiming approval for "commercial" use, I become a little sckeptical. I was just curious if this machine really does produce cotton candy rapidly enough and consistently enough for serving guests.

10-24-07, 09:22 PM	#20 \| Link
MidLife AVS Special Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,564	bummer...so this is an "outdoor" toy?

10-25-07, 12:07 PM	#21 \| Link
str1der Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ky Posts: 452	I would say go for the popcorn machine. I don't think there is a whole lot of difference in the taste of fresh cotton candy and just buying some from the store. Popcorn on the other hand is definitely different.

10-25-07, 01:24 PM	#22 \| Link
IrmoGamecoq AVS Special Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 4,176	Not to mention movie theatre themes just scream "Popcorn"...whereas I have never seen cotton candy being sold in a movie theatre. It might be a fun thing to add later...but a popcorn machine should definitely come first.

10-26-07, 01:35 PM	#23 \| Link
htomei22 glenned disciple Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,785 Classified Rating: 100% (2)	Thanks Doyle. Would have been nice, but that settles it for me... __________________ but I digress......

10-26-07, 08:15 PM	#24 \| Link
elmalloc Eternal Sonata Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Brunswick, OH Posts: 2,832	man i wanted a cotton candy machine!! i hate him for giving us that descriptin but also love him for saving our life __________________ Theater construction.

10-27-07, 08:36 PM	#25 \| Link
Projectorguy1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Huntsville, Alabama - The Rocket City Posts: 245 Classified Rating: 100% (1)	I dont totally agree - I have a GM machine, and we enjoy it very much. I definitely would give it up before my popcorn machine though. We use it about 2 times per month, and I make 10 or 12 baags, which I store in the unit to eat between uses. The machine makes it pretty fast, makes a bit of a mess, which can be cleaned up pretty quickly, and is LOVED by the neighborhood kids. I use flossine and regular sugar, and I sprinkle a few drops of water in the mix to bring out the color. I wouldn't keep it in the den, but I don't keep my popcorn machine there either. Heres a pic: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...4&d=1185281547 Jerry __________________ WWJD

10-28-07, 11:16 AM	#26 \| Link
MidLife AVS Special Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,564	That's pretty kool. Looks heavy duty. Does the motor take up the space in the cart or is there room for storage under there? And that's a pretty tall bubble. How do you clean it? Do you have to take apart the "head" for cleaning each time? Is it difficult?

10-28-07, 08:40 PM	#27 \| Link
Projectorguy1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Huntsville, Alabama - The Rocket City Posts: 245 Classified Rating: 100% (1)	Hey! Theres not a lot of storage space in the cart, but a little bit - not really intended for it anyway. The bubble contains most (not all) of the floss. Its pretty easy to clean. I just rinse out the bowl, and dry it. I allow the head to spin until its empty. It doesnt need any cleaning. The machine is a GM #3030 "Breeze", with a resistance element which lasts much longer than the ribbon heaters. It produces cotton candy pretty fast - I can fill a large bag in less than a minute. Jerry __________________ WWJD

10-29-07, 05:47 PM	#28 \| Link
DoyleS AVS Special Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Sunnyvale, CA , USA Posts: 1,714	Nice Machine. Gold Medal makes high quality concession equipment. Next time you make a batch post us a couple pics of the machine in operation. It sounds like you are bagging the cotton candy instead of twirling it onto a cone. Your machine does have a nice bubble to keep things reasonably under control. The biggest deal with cleaning is that the two parts that need cleaning(bowl and bubble)are large. Sugar obviously cleans up easily with hot water. If you have young kids, this is always a popular item. The Floss sugar comes in various colors and is readily available at most of the same places that carry popcorn machines. Glad it is working out for you. I think my Gold Medal Popper spends more time at the church than it does at my house. ..Doyle __________________ "So many tweeks....So little time!"

10-30-07, 06:50 AM	#29 \| Link
elmalloc Eternal Sonata Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Brunswick, OH Posts: 2,832	I want a cotton candy machine badly but they seem unsafe? __________________ Theater construction.

10-30-07, 08:46 AM	#30 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
Projectorguy1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Huntsville, Alabama - The Rocket City Posts: 245 Classified Rating: 100% (1)	A hair dryer is unsafe if it is wired or used improperly. I dont think that the cotton candy machine is any safer or unsafe than a popcorn machine. You can hurt your hand on the spinning head if you get too careless while you are using it. You can buy it at Wally world or Movie Gallery, although theres nothing like making it and eating it while its still warm and fresh __________________ WWJD