Nostalgia Electrics PCM-805 Hard & Sugar-Free Candy Cotton Candy Maker
by Nostalgia Electrics
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Category: Kitchen
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: Nostalgia ElectricsBrand: Nostalgia Electrics
Model: PCM-805
Color: White/Pink
Product features:
- Uses your favorite brand of hard candy, sugar-free candy or standard cotton candy sugar to spin a delicious treat
- Cotton candy flows quickly as unit heats up
- Translucent, plastic bowl allows the user to easily see each batch being made
- Comes with two plastic cotton candy cones
- Unit breaks down easily for cleaning
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Nostalgia Electrics PCM-805 Hard & Sugar-Free Candy Cotton Candy Maker
Customer Review: Our new favorite treat
Summary: 5 Stars
From my wife Sarah: When I saw the ad for this and realized we could use sugar free or regular hard candies to make cotton candy, I practically did a back flip with excitement! I could never resist cotton candy, but I have not been willing to eat all that refined sugar for some time. Now we've been using it every day to make low sugar, low calorie, gluten free satisfying treats.
This unit is easy to use, and fairly easy to clean. Here's how it works:
1. Plug it in and turn it on to pre-heat for about 3-5 minutes. Longer is better. The unit has to melt the candies and it works much better making a lighter, fluffier cotton candy when it's hotter. If the unit isn't hot enough, it will not work at first, and will then start spewing thick sugar threads that fly into the air.
2. Turn it off, wait for the center piece to stop spinning (wait for it to come to a complete stop or your candy can go flying), and drop in two hard candies opposite each other so they're balanced. Turn the machine back on.
3. In a moment, a film of fine cotton candy threads will start appearing inside the bowl. Put your plastic cotton candy cone that comes with the set on the film, and begin rotating it.
Directions for this part aren't detailed in the units directions. I've found that to make the fluffiest cotton candy cone, just use a back and forth motion over the appearing cotton candy just inside the top of the bowl, while twisting/rotating the cone around and around. Don't go to low or you'll hit the spinning/heating unit and burn your cotton candy. It sounds a bit complicated but it's simple once you get used to it.
4. Once no more cotton candy appears, turn off the machine and you're done.
5. If you want to make another one, do it immediately so the unit is still hot. If you eat your cotton candy and then go back to make another one, you'll need to fully pre-heat it again. Even a couple minutes with the heating element off is enough to cool it down so that it won't work properly if you put the hard candy in without pre-heating.
As others have said, two hard candies don't make a huge cone, but it's enough to be satisfied, and you can always make more. It's a lot of fun to combine flavors and to try new hard candy combinations. I enjoy butterscotch alone, and cherry and grape combined, and my husband likes peppermint.
After purchasing the unit I realized it just took a couple of lifesavers or other hard candies to make a nice portion of cotton candy, so even though I limit my sugar intake, I'll use sugar sweetened candies sometimes.
While sugar-free candies do work with the unit, I've found that these cones are less fluffy and more dense. Sugar candy makes a much fuller, fluffier cone. Different candy brands also make better or worse cones, so it's trial and error.
Please note that this unit should NEVER be used by kids who are unattended. The center of the machine has an exposed piece that spins and gets hot enough to cause burns if touched.
To clean the unit, the pink plastic top clear plastic rims are easily removed, and washable. The center metal piece that melts the candy and spins is also easily lifted out, though it takes a bit of pulling. This must be soaked in warm water to wash away candy that melted on it. Then just easily put the parts back on the unit and it's ready to use again.
The unit itself is actually very cute in appearance. We leave it out and visible on a high shelf, since to us it looks like a kitchen decorative.
I'm not sure how it will hold up over time, but it's absolutely fun, makes wonderful treats, and it's a great low calorie, low sugar way to feel like you're cheating with something yummy. I'm on weight watchers and depending on what candies you use, it can be zero points or at least very low points. It even feels more filling than eating a couple of hard candies (but I'm not sure if that's just psychological).
Obviously I recommend this item whole heartedly!
More Nostalgia Electrics PCM-805 Hard & Sugar-Free Candy Cotton Candy Maker reviews:
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Description of Nostalgia Electrics PCM-805 Hard & Sugar-Free Candy Cotton Candy Maker
The Hard Candy/Sugar Free Cotton Candy Maker transforms your favorite hard candies into fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth cotton candy. For a low-calorie or low-sugar treat, sugar free candies can be used - great for kids or those with dietary restrictions. Simply plug in, turn on, pour yummy candies into the center receptacle, and start spinning colorful and tasty treats. This fanciful product is fun for the whole family and brings out the kid in everyone. People love to collect the delicate webs of cotton candy on their cones while circling the translucent pink bowl. Instantly, gatherings are transformed into carnivals and dessert time into party time! The unit is also compatible with standard cotton candy sugar - expanding the flavor possibilities further. Any flavor, any time! Unit dimension are 11? L x 11?W x 12? H, perfect for countertop use.Kitchen & Housewares
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