The 7 Best Cotton Candy Makers to Bring the Carnival Home

What to Look for When Buying a Cotton Candy Maker

By Sara Tane

Size

These machines come in a wide variety of sizes, so understanding how much storage space you have for such an appliance is crucial to your buying decision. Cart styles, for example, are going to take up a lot of space, so having an indoor closet or shed space to keep it is ideal. These models can also be heavy, so be prepared to lift and roll upwards of 50 pounds.

Price

A brand new machine can run you anywhere from $40 to $500, so it’s important to consider what you’re looking for before making a purchase. The compact versions are much less expensive, though they’re also much less of a statement appliance (not as fun for parties), and they don’t have as much wattage. The larger cart versions are party-ready and easy to transport, but they can run you a prettier penny. If you’re looking for that quintessential cotton candy cart look but you’re not looking to break the bank, you can always consider a rental machine (depending on what's available in your area). This typically includes sugar, cones, and an attendant to man the machine if you want someone else to be in charge.

Power

Not all cotton candy machines offer the same breadth of power. Commercial machines can boast up to 1,080 watts of power, churning out two to four cones per minute. On the other hand, compact cotton candy machines offer closer to 480 watts, which means that they take longer to heat up and won’t be able to churn out as many cones as efficiently as a commercial version.

Types of Cotton Candy Makers

Cart

The cart is the most common look for a cotton candy machine—you’ve likely seen one at a carnival or fair. This typically has wheels attached so that it can be rolled from location to location (as long as you’re near an electrical outlet). Carts typically come with storage drawers for keeping sugar, cones, and other supplies. The stainless steel kettle is removable, making these carts extremely easy to clean. These carts are large, sometimes close to 50 pounds, but if you’re looking for a fun and entertaining piece, this could be the right investment for you.

Compact

If you’re looking for less of a cart style, then your best bet is a compact machine. These can fit comfortably on a counter and do not have wheels or legs. As far as entertaining, it’s much less of a statement, so it’s ideal for someone who wants the option to make cotton candy at home, but isn’t trying to create a fun station at a gathering or party. This is a much more affordable option; however, it does not offer any storage for cotton candy supplies, and its wattage is slightly less than that of a cart.

Maintenance

To clean your cotton candy machine, simply remove the bowl and rinse it thoroughly in warm water. Then, turn on the machine as though you were making cotton candy; this will get rid of any leftover sugar that hasn’t totally washed off. This also ensures that there’s no more sugar on the floss head. Then, turn up the temperature setting and let it run for a minute; the high heat level will further bake off any sugar that could be remaining. Once there is no more visible sugar, get some water and slowly pour it into the hot bowl. This will get rid of any stuck-on sugar crystals. 

Next, disconnect the machine from the power and let it cool down. Once the machine has completely cooled, use a clean towel to wipe any remaining moisture from the bowl and floss head. Make sure to wipe down the splash guard or bubble to clean up any residual sugar.

Accessories

Floss Sugar

Of course, you can’t make cotton candy without sugar to pour into your machine. Available in a wide variety of colors and flavors, floss sugar is inexpensive, easy to store, and ready to use (no mixing required). Typically, a half-gallon carton can make about 60 to 70 cones. You can also buy floss sugar concentrate, which requires you to add cane sugar. This is a better option to help you save money if you’ll be making a lot of cotton candy, but it does require some mixing.

Cones/Sticks

Almost just as important as sugar, you’ll need some cones or sticks to wrap your cotton candy around. Not only is this the best way to enjoy cotton candy (no sticky hands), but it’s also a sanitary way for the person making the cone to avoid touching the cotton candy (though wearing latex gloves is still recommended). These paper cones are durable, triple-wrapped, sturdy, and intended for one-time use. 

FAQs

How does a cotton candy maker work?

In a similar way that you can melt sugar on a stovetop and then spin strings of it from a spoon, a cotton candy machine melts a quantity of sugar at once, then spins it out into the finest of strands by centrifugal force inside a specially designed bowl. Cotton candy machines are designed to contain the spinning sugar in that bowl, sometimes with a protective lid or shield to help catch straying strands of sugar. When the power to the cotton candy maker is switched on, it keeps the bowl spinning at a constant rate, and all you have to do is master the art of twirling a stick or cone around the interior of the bowl to capture the light and fluffy sugar strands into a pouf on the stick.

What ingredients do you need to make cotton candy?

Cotton candy is basically spun sugar. So, all you need is a sugar source and sticks or paper cones for twirling, but be sure to check what’s possible for the cotton candy maker you choose. Some work with prepared floss sugars only, some call for a mix of floss sugar and cane sugar, some allow for added flavorings, and some can even make spun cotton candy from hard candies that you purchase by the bag. If you’re a novice to the magic of cotton candy, review the manufacturer’s suggestions, and think of starting with the floss sugar first. When you get the hang of it, then you can play around with flavorings and candies with greater confidence.

Are there any other supplies you need to make cotton candy at home?

Cotton candy is sticky, so you definitely need disposable sticks or paper cones for spinning. They offer that traditional, fun, candy-on-a-stick look that we all remember from carnivals and fairs— they’re more sanitary than any other method for scooping up the spun sugar. It’s smart to have an advanced plan for cleanup, too. Make sure you place the cotton candy machine where any stray sugar can be contained or easily wiped up. And whether you’re treating kids or adults to cotton candy, maybe even keep a few wipes handy for sticky (and happy) fingers.

How often should you clean your cotton candy maker?

The first rule for cleaning any kitchen appliance is to check the manufacturer’s directions. That said, cotton candy is sugar and sugar is sticky. As with anything sticky, gunk will follow inevitably, so common sense dictates that you should clean your cotton candy maker after each use and be sure to put the parts away dry.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Donna Currie is an expert on all things food, from desserts and cookbooks to cooking gadgets. She's the author of her own cookbook, "Make Ahead Bread," and loves to test out her favorite kitchen gadgets and appliances. She also has an extensive blog where she details these recipes.

The buying guide was written by Sara Tane, a food writer and private chef who has written nearly a dozen buying guides for The Spruce Eats. She's a classically trained chef who also understands what consumers and cooks need to consider before making a new purchase for their culinary adventures.