A candy floss machine works by melting granulated sugar and spinning it rapidly so that it forms fine strands of sugary fiber, which are then collected and served as cotton candy.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Sugar Loading: Granulated, colored sugar (or plain sugar with added food coloring) is poured into a small bowl, often called the "sugar reserve," located in the center of a spinning head.
- Heating: Heaters positioned near the rim of the spinning head melt the sugar. The machine heats the sugar to a liquid state.
- Spinning and Extrusion: The spinning head rotates at high speed, creating centrifugal force. This force pushes the melted sugar through tiny holes or slits around the perimeter of the head.
- Fiber Formation: As the molten sugar is forced through the small openings, it immediately cools and solidifies into thin, hair-like strands. The rapid cooling prevents it from forming a solid mass.
- Collection: These strands are flung outwards into a larger bowl or container surrounding the spinning head. The operator then uses a paper cone or stick to gather the strands, twirling them together to create the fluffy cotton candy.
In essence, the machine uses heat to liquefy sugar and then centrifugal force to extrude it into fine, airy fibers.
