The cotton candy machine is out, and your supplies are organized. You’ve read all of the directions and are ready to go, except for one small detail…what on earth should you spin your cotton candy on? Believe it or not, there are a lot of different options!
Some of the best items to spin cotton candy on are: paper straws, rainbow lollipops, bubblegum sticks, glow sticks, ice cream cones, homemade paper funnels, peppermint sticks, pirouette sticks, pretzel sticks, lollipop sticks, and of course the standard white cone.
Which item you choose to spin on largely depends on what type of activity you are spinning for. Some options are more transportable and will last and store longer, while others won’t last as long, but are just what you need to give your cotton candy that extra pizzazz that you are looking for. So, which one do you need? How can you know? Let’s take a look at a few of the pros and cons of each type of spinning item to help you decide!
Long-term and Long Distance
(standard white cones, paper straws, homemade paper funnels, lollipop sticks, glow sticks)
Are you spinning for a large event like a carnival or a wedding? Or maybe you’re spinning at your local football game every Friday night? If you’re going to be spinning a lot of cotton candy at once or will be spinning on a frequent basis, these spinning bases are for you.
This group of spinning items is more durable and will hold up well over time. They also are great for traveling. The majority of this group tends to be more flexible and less prone to snap in two if they fall over or slide around a little while you are driving.
This group is also non-edible. This means that, when properly stored, they will have a long shelf-life. Additionally, they tend to run a bit more on the cheaper side in comparison to other spinning items. So go ahead, save yourself some money and buy them in bulk! Whatever you don’t use you can easily store and save for the next time you need to spin some cotton candy. With almost no prep-time required, these options are quick, easy, and stress free.
The downside of this group is that these spinning items often are not very attention-grabbing. If your event falls into this group but you also want to have more character and personality with your cotton candy, try adding your own creative flare to each spinning base. Buy your cones, popsicle sticks, or paper in fun, bright colors and patterns that match your event theme. You can even give your consumers the option of personalizing their spinning base by laying out a few sharpies and letting them decorate the spinning item before handing it over to you to spin on. If none of these extra touches quite reach the level of wow that you are looking for, then spinning on glow sticks is for you. This is a unique, fun item to spin on that is guaranteed to grab attention.
Short-term and Short Distance
(Rainbow lollipops, bubblegum sticks, ice cream cones, peppermint sticks, pretzel sticks, pirouette sticks)
If you are spinning for a small group of friends or a one-time event, this group is for you! These items easily add personality and extra flavor to your already amazing cotton candy. With their own unique tastes and textures, you can combine any one of these spinning bases with your favorite flavor of cotton candy to make your own signature creations. Have fun mixing and matching these bases to your cotton candy and then, give your favorite creations a cool name! Want to try mango cotton candy spun on a rainbow lollipop base? Behold, the Rainbow Mango!
Though fun and memorable, the draw back on these spinning items is that they don’t store very well. Their edible nature gives them an expiration date that can’t be ignored or avoided, so it’s best not to buy them in bulk unless you know for sure that you will be using all of it before it goes bad. Another drawback is that they are not as sturdy as other options. With a more durable spinning item like the paper cone for example, damage can often be easily reversed by simply bending it back into shape. However, with this group of sticks, cones, and lollipops, if they are damaged while on the move there isn’t much you can do to fix them. A bit more finesse is required when working with these spinning items, so be sure to take special care when transporting your supplies.
The Best of Both Worlds
What if you want the flavor and appeal of a short-term spinning item with the durability and shelf-life of a long-term spinning item? The first thing you should do is try to find spinning items that are individually wrapped rather than altogether in one bag or box. The individual wrappings will make it a bit more tedious to unwrap your spinning items once you are ready to use them, but the sealed wrappings will also allow you to store them more securely and save any that are left over for a future date. If they are individually packaged, feel free to go ahead and save by buying them in bulk!
The second option for extending shelf-life is to pop it in the freezer. When placed in an air-tight bag, the cooler temperature will help you preserve the crispness of your cones and sticks. Remember, they are still pretty fragile, so be sure to put them in the top of your freezer where nothing heavy will fall down and accidentally crush them.
Option three is to dip your sticks in chocolate first. The cooled chocolate helps support the stick making it thicker and less likely to break in half. Make sure you are quick to spin the cotton candy onto them because this method can turn really messy, really fast. Be careful not to let the chocolate melt! Though it adds durability, this third method is generally less popular because it is more time consuming, more difficult to spin on, and also has a much greater potential of making a mess or failure if not done properly.
Conclusion
What item you choose to spin on is just as, if not more important than, what flavor of cotton candy you are spinning. You have to choose wisely which item you are going to spin on so you can be sure it will last for as long as you need it to last and that it will travel well to where you need it. Your spinning base can make your cotton candy even more desirable by adding character and appeal. If it is an edible spinning item, it will open the door to a whole new world of flavors and creative combinations.
Now you are ready to get spinning. Be sure to tell us all about your spinning experience and your new spinning base and cotton candy combinations! Which were your favorites? What new names did you give them?
Let us know if we missed something! Are there any other items that you like to spin your cotton candy on? We always love to hear from you!