Need your advice for a project

[jfox]

I'm planning a party that will require home made hard candy "straws" or "sticks". I need to design a custom mold that looks like the picture below, at least 25 valleys wide with a 15 inch length. It will need to be metal because I will be making the straws with 300+ degree sugar solution and I don't want the material to melt. The idea is to pour the solution into the depressions and allow to cool.

I need material suggestions as well as suggestions on what kinds of tools to use. The metal has to be plyable enough to manipulate by hand because I don't have access to any machinery.

J.

[jfox]

I'm planning a party that will require home made hard candy "straws" or "sticks". I need to design a custom mold that looks like the picture below, at least 25 valleys wide with a 15 inch length. It will need to be metal because I will be making the straws with 300+ degree sugar solution and I don't want the material to melt. The idea is to pour the solution into the depressions and allow to cool.

I need material suggestions as well as suggestions on what kinds of tools to use. The metal has to be plyable enough to manipulate by hand because I don't have access to any machinery.

J.

[PARAGON]

What are they for? your illustration doesn't allow for conformity all the way around the stick. It also is not a "straw.

If you need them round. You could get two pieces of metal that would bolt together. Long 15" wide and long enough to accomodate 25 holes.

Tightly bolt the two pieces so that they are mated together and get a long shank drill bit. Drill your holes verticaly from the ends down the 15" length with the center of the bit lining up with the seam.

You take it back apart and clean it up and all that, bolt it back together, fill it with your solution, bake it or whatever (I'm sure you need to coat it with something) after it cools, unbolt it and pull the halves apart and voila, round sticks.

[Marcmedic]

You've been watching MacGyver re-runs haven't you.

[KenP]

J, would "wood" work? It's good enough for ka-bobs.

[PARAGON]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Marcmedic:
You've been watching MacGyver re-runs haven't you. </div></BLOCKQUOTE> http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[jfox]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PARAGON:
What are they for? your illustration doesn't allow for conformity all the way around the stick. It also is not a "straw. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Since they are hard candy they will be used for eating http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif. I used the term "straw" to give you an idea of the shape I needed. Having a mold to allow for a hollow center is not my intent.

What I'm looking for is the best option of a sheet metal to bend or fold into the shape above that will not buckle with the heat.

J.

[h2co-pilot]

Copper is pretty bendable isn't it?

Did you want a triangular look or did you want round? I have candy molds somewhere that allowed something similar but rounded and flat on top obviously. You could also pipe them on foil but they will not be uniform.

Joyce, this is sooo Martha.http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gifhttp://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[JamesT]

The Cowboys Suck!!!! ....Oh my bad...I saw the word "candy" and immediatly thought we were gonna discuss CANDY ASS CRACK HEAD PUNKS http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[h2co-pilot]

Or Rock Candy?http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gifhttp://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

You just thought of "America's Team" because their skills are schweet!http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gifhttp://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[jfox]

Yeah, I thought about copper but I'm cheap and would exhaust all other options before spending money on a copper sheet.

The shape round vs. triangular doesn't really matter, either would work fine. As long as the "sticks" are all the same shape.

I did a test batch 2 nights ago but poured the liquid onto a sheet of alumnium foil in long sugar strips. They spread before cooling, hence my desire for a mold to prevent this.

J.

PS Marthas' got nothing compared to my skillz!! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[h2co-pilot]

Copper would be expensive. I will look some stuff up today, we will get this figured out.http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[h2co-pilot]

Hey, I bet if you send Seth to the hardware store he can find a metal accordion type mold. I saw this online, it is a shutter system thingy.

[rodster]

That shutter thing looks like a metal windshield sunshade. Wonder if you could attach foil to a flat, cardboard sunshade, then compress the accordion/sunshade to the desired size?

Also, I remember from years ago hard candy on string. Dip the string, let cool, repeat until desired diameter is reached. Kinda like rubber-coating the handle of a tool...

[HummerNewbie]

Couldn't you take a straw or something of the desired size, wrap it in aluminum foil and pull it out. You would have to make sure you close off one end so it doesn't drain out. This would give you the shape and size you want and you would have a little mold. Just make as many as you need, find something to stand them up in the oven (block of wood with holes drilled in it) and bake. After they cool, unwrap the foil and you have your sticks.

[jfox]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by HummerNewbie:
Couldn't you take a straw or something of the desired size, wrap it in aluminum foil and pull it out. You would have to make sure you close off one end so it doesn't drain out. This would give you the shape and size you want and you would have a little mold. Just make as many as you need, find something to stand them up in the oven (block of wood with holes drilled in it) and bake. After they cool, unwrap the foil and you have your sticks. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

This is an interesting idea, but the foil tube (even multiple layers) may not stand up to the extremly hot sugar liquid I will be pouring in. Also, the tubes don't have to go into the oven to bake just sit to allow the mixture to harden and come to room temperature.

J.

[DRTYFN]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by h2co-pilot:
Copper is pretty bendable isn't it?

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The word you were looking for was malleable. (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=malleable)http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

J, I'll call you. Get ready.http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[HummerNewbie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jfox:
This is an interesting idea, but the foil tube (even multiple layers) may not stand up to the extremly hot sugar liquid I will be pouring in. Also, the tubes don't have to go into the oven to bake just sit to allow the mixture to harden and come to room temperature.

J. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I see. The foil tube could be hard to pour the hot sugar liquid into also. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[PARAGON]

Run over to Nasa and get you some aerogel. Poke some holes down into it with a pencil or something and pour away. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[jfox]

Ohhh, a call from DRTY. I know I'm special now. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I'm away from my phone, call me after 2.

J.

[H2Finally]

J, Home Depot sells stainless in a small short roll that is inexpensive (in the roofing section). I think they are even avilable in 15" widths. I found the best way to achieve a straight bend is by scoring it with a blunt knife (butter knife), or a light cut with a cutter. Fold slightly, and use a wood ruler to complete the fold. Stuff the ends of the accordian with crumpled foil to "block" it.

To achieve more of a "round" shape, you can prob use two 2x4s set like an inch apart, drape 2 layers of foil in the middle, press with a chopstick in the middle depression to desired depth. I doubt 300&#176 is going to be a problem. I bake steak in the oven at 500&#176 all the time.. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

If you want no work at all, take a baking pan that's at least 15" in length, and prop one edge with a phonebook. The low edge will form the "V" that you require... http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Remember, molten sugar will burn exposed skin *snap!* just like that! * Be careful J!!

[jfox]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by H2Finally:
Remember, molten sugar will burn exposed skin *snap!* just like that! * Be careful J!! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The skin has already begun to heal. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

J.

[jkH1+H2=H3]

Fox, What size are you looking for, and when do you need them. I will make you a custom mold for Candy Sugar. I use food grade silicon, not breast silicon guys and girls.
Tell me what you need, is this for a cocktail drinks. Most important, how many. This will determine the mold size needed. So, you will need to do a few batches. I already have a V style mold that you can try for hard candy...Are you flavoring the Straws?? Oh yea what times the Party??

[PARAGON]

Cool, silicone is the perfect answer your needs.

[Dan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jkH1+H2=H3:
..., ..... .... ...... ....., ...... .... ... ..... .... . . ... ..... ... .... .. .... . .... .... ......, ... breast ... ....... .... .......
.... ... ...... .... .... ..... .... .... .... .. ..... ... ..... ..... .....?? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[jfox]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jkH1+H2=H3:
Fox, What size are you looking for, and when do you need them. I will make you a custom mold for Candy Sugar. I use food grade silicon, not breast silicon guys and girls.
Tell me what you need, is this for a cocktail drinks. Most important, how many. This will determine the mold size needed. So, you will need to do a few batches. I already have a V style mold that you can try for hard candy...Are you flavoring the Straws?? Oh yea what times the Party?? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Awesome!

I was interested in the finished product to be at least 12 in long and have the diameter of a pencil. I'm not to worried about the shape, they don't have to be round. Just all uniform. I'm thinking the V shape may be the easiest to pour, unmold and produce an interesting shape. They won't be used in drinks but eaten as is.

My recipe will produce about 3 cups of molten sugar. During my test earlier this week I made over 12 dozen candy strips. It will go a long way and will have to be poured in batches. I will be flavoring with extracts.

The party starts at 5:00 pm, March 11, 2006. You are welcome to come but have to come in costume.

J.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

now why don't we have questions like this any more ?