Image zoom. 9 years ago Once your syrup gets above 234 degrees Fahrenheit, however, it starts to hold together and make visible threads in the water. You can now making candy even if you do not own a candy thermometer. If you plan to make candy a lot, consider investing a little more money in a quality, just as you would with any kitchen utensil you use often. My Peanut Brittle Turned Out Sticky, What Can I Do. Just Bing or Google "Candy thermometer" (use the quotes). Actually cooking from an old recipe can sometimes be a bit of a challenge, though, either because you don't recognize the name of an ingredient – internet search is your friend here – or because the recipe assumes you know a method that's not used much anymore. Obviously, when making candy, a thermometer needs to be able to read a much higher temperature than a thermometer that only reads meat temperatures. Candy thermometers tend to be long, flat metal rectangles with a thermometer enclosed in the center. If you do have a thermometer you need to test its accuracy. I'm supposed to cook the caramelized sugar and cream until it … Some instant-read models may measure temps high enough to make candy, but most oven-safe meat thermometers are designed to accurately measure the range of temperatures that occur when cooking meat. I understand that IR Thermometers measure surface temperatures only, however I was wondering how accurate it is with liquids that are pretty consistent or homogeneous (i.e. The mixture will start out cloudy. Highlighted Features. The Cold Water Test can also be used along with a thermometer for the most accurate results. At this point there's nothing more to learn from rolling the sugar into a ball, partly because it won't squish and partly because you'd have trouble actually forming a ball. It usually has a clip so that it can be affixed it to the side of a pan and sit in the liquid without touching the bottom during cooking. There are many wonderful candy recipes including some of mine I have posted on Instructables: A candy thermometer shouldn’t be hard to use. It is easiest to make candy by using a candy thermometer but you can also use the Cold Water Test. I have both. That's the hard-ball stage, and it's what you want for homemade marshmallows or a really chewy toffee. Recipes call this the soft-ball stage, and it lasts until you get up to about 240 F. That's how far fudge is usually cooked. Good luck and I am glad you found my I instructable helpful. The so-called "cold-water method" is an easy way to estimate the temperature of your candy: Generations of cooks and candy makers have relied on this trick to make all types of candies, from fudge to toffee . There are several kinds of candy thermometers available. Candy (also know as deep-fry thermometers) are readily available in houseware stores and almost every supermarket in the states. The basic technique is pretty simple. Some candies require you to cook the sugar to an even higher temperature. oil for frying, water temperature, cooking sugar for caramel or candy). Simple syrup is great for lemonade, cocktails, sweetening your ice tea, in ice cream/sorbet making and many other uses. The Cold Water Test can also be used along with a thermometer for the most accurate results. ThermoPro TP01A Instant Read Digital Thermometer. The ball will flatten out after a few moments in your hand. For the Cold Water Test: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of the syrup (candy mixture) is dropped from a clean spoon into a small bowl of very cold water (not ice cold). Many can’t go above 200 degrees, which isn’t hot enough to work with sugary confections. Because sugar can burn easily, you’ll need to work quickly. This can seem kind of slapdash and haphazard, but it's surprisingly reliable. If the threads break without bending, you've reached the hard-crack stage at 300 F to 310 F. That's how high you need to go for brittles or hard candies. The Thermapen is actually the perfect candy-making tool and we recommend you use it in place of the classic candy-monster. Here is another versatile digital thermometer … If you can't find a candy thermometer in your city, check online. (Best Ruler-Like Steel) Wilton traditional steel thermometer is 14.7-inch … Candy thermometers are manufactured with one primary aim, i.e., to check the temperatures of candies. Hence, it is designed and built in such a way to suit the conditions of candy making and give you accurate readings. There are tons of sites that sell them. The syrup (candy mixture) I am using to show the Cold Water Test is a simple syrup. No you cannot use a regular thermometer because the temperature guage does not go up as high as a candy thermometer. ;), Reply The thermometer is a digital reader with a probe that goes into the meat while cooking in the oven. 1/2 cup water On average they will range from -40 all the way to 450 degrees F, You can also use an oil thermometer instead of a candy thermometer sine the temperatures needed for both can be very high. Please know that the parchment paper called for is an absolute necessity unless you want to scrape hard candy off your cookie sheet for … Can a digital meat thermometer be used for candy? Using a candy thermometer will ensure perfect nougat every time.Visit CSRsugar.com.au to view the recipe and join the #BakingNation A friend once told me that the one word which terrifies people, enough to dissuade them from tackling a recipe, was the word “thermometer.” Candy making generally requires the use of a thermometer and I’m not sure why people get uneasy around thermometers because like kitchen scales, when things are in precise measurements – like degrees, pounds, or grams – it’s pretty straightforward. Then pick up the resulting blob and see what it looks and feels like. They have a metal clip used to attach them to the side of a pan, so you don’t have to hold it in place. 9 years ago Apple Jellies Candy https://www.instructables.com/id/Apples-Jellies-Candy/ Candy thermometers can also be used to measure temperatures when deep-frying or when making jelly. So, can we use candy thermometer where dairy thermometer is required. Lowest price in 30 days. Quickly examine and/or carefully pick up the sugar from the cold water. It keeps your hands and fingers away from hot, bubbling sugars or oils. This handy kitchen tool resembles a pointed stick attached to a dial that contains the temperature. b. banksm137 | Jan 28, 2015 05:36 AM 4. I have burnt my syrup before too. For eaxmple my water boiled at 211 F so when I make candy I make sure my candy reaches 1 degree higher that the temperature called for in the recipe. At 250 F to 265 F, the ball won't flatten at all. A tall traditional style … They have a metal clip used to attach them to the side of a pan, so you don’t have to hold it in place. In fact, all you need is this handy guide and a bowl of cold water. You don't need a candy thermometer to make your favorite sweets. No you cannot use a regular thermometer because the temperature guage does not go up as high as a candy thermometer. I use an meat thermometer for candy with no problems. 17% off. It saves time, you don't have to handle the hot syrup as much – which means fewer chances to burn yourself – and you'll get finer temperature control for the recipes that need it. The firmness of the sugar indicates the highest temperature the syrup reached. Many candy thermometers aren't instant read. English Toffee https://www.instructables.com/id/English-Toffee/ Just Bing or Google "Candy thermometer" (use the quotes). Soft Crack Stage: The bubbles on the top of the syrup become smaller, thicker and much closer together. It promises to be very easy to use and clean. Hard Crack: With a clean spoon, when the syrup dropped into ice water it separates into hard, brittle threads that break when bent. If your sugar is between 270 F and 290 F, the threads will bend before they break. For every 500 feet you are above sea level the boiling point will approximately be decreased by 1 F. Meat thermometers have a lower temperature range than that of a candy thermometer—most go up to 200°F. It saves time, you don't have to handle the hot syrup as much – which means fewer chances to burn yourself – and you'll get finer temperature control for the recipes that need it. When you're ready to test your candy, scoop up a small amount on a spoon and drop it in a glass of cold water. Polder THM-515 Stainless Steel Candy Fry Thermometer. You don’t want to spend so much time fiddling with the thermometer that you can’t pay attention to the sugar solution. Candy thermometers tend to be long, flat metal rectangles with a thermometer enclosed in the center. A very nice Maverick digital thermometer is available from Amazon for around $20. This allows the thermometer to rest securely on the side of the pan without falling in and ensures that it is easy to take temperature measurements. So go out and make some candy!!! You really have to watch the whole time because sometimes the temp increases very slowly and ssometimes it increases very rapidly. Difference between dairy thermometer and candy thermometer What is the real difference between a dairy thermometer and a candy thermometer? You can purchase both types of thermometers at supermarkets and cooking supply stores. Candy or deep-frying thermometers measure the much higher temperatures usually associated with these cooking techniques, up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius). He was educated at Memorial University of Newfoundland and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. A classic example is candymaking, which requires you to cook the candy to a specific temperature. The higher the temperature the sugar syrup reached the harder the mixture will be after it cools. Fred Decker is a trained chef, former restaurateur and prolific freelance writer, with a special interest in all things related to food and nutrition. Soft-Ball Stage is 235 F to 240 F (118 C to 120 C) The happy news is that there is a better way. You don't even need a thermometer or the cold water test to make the first two. With oil or water that doesn't make a huge difference but with candy making needing finer windows of temperature I would say it's probably not your best option. This allows the thermometer to rest securely on the side of the pan without falling in and ensures that it is easy to take temperature measurements. You'll be able to gather them together and roll them into a ball that holds its shape in the water, but flattens easily between your fingers. Because this is a tradition thermometer, there are no batteries to replace. 1 part water  Hard ball: Using a clean spoon when the syrup is dropped into cold water it may be formed into a hard ball. Old cookbooks and magazine recipes can be a lot of fun: For instance, you won't find many modern chicken recipes that start with plucking the chicken. So the second time around, I took the temp up to 302 F. (hard crack stage) using a candy thermometer and it did much better. Once the mixture is clear, all of the sugar is dissolved and you have simple syrup. 99 $22.99 $22.99. Modern recipes take for granted that you'll use a thermometer and give you a set temperature, whereas older recipes rely on you to test the candy as you go. First bring a pot of water to a boil and add your thermometer. Credit: OKRAD / Getty Images. Hard Crack Stage is 300 F to 310 F (150 C to 155 C) His work has appeared online on major sites including Livestrong.com, WorkingMother.com and the websites of the Houston Chronicle and San Francisco Chronicle; and offline in Canada's Foodservice & Hospitality magazine and his local daily newspaper. Norpro Candy Thermometer. Instead, you'll find out what you need to know from the threads themselves. using the thermometer was very easy. There are tons of sites that sell them. These thermometers can also be used to measure hot oil for deep frying.. You can buy a very nice digital thermometer for use in making candy from Amazon.com. If you can't find a candy thermometer in your city, check online. The ball is very soft, hence the name soft ball stage.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lchea5BHbgs, Hard Ball Stage is 250 F to 265 F (125 C to 133 C) All in all, if you decide to make your own treats at home on a regular basis, it's best to buy a decent candy thermometer and use it. A candy thermometer is a large glass thermometer used to measure the temperature of melted sugar. Share it with us! Once you take the syrup out of the cold water you can feel how brittle and sharp it is. It'll obviously depend on the quality of the thermometer but my relatively cheap version is probably somewhere between 5-6F off at any given reading. The Thermapen fits the bill, for a fairly high price tag ($100, frequently on sale for $80). Can a Infrared Thermometer Replace a Candy Thermometer? You can deal with that by working with a lower burner, but it's still a risk. Peanut Butter Candy https://www.instructables.com/id/Fast-Peanut-Butter-Candy/ Meat Thermometer. Turn the thermometer on by pressing the power button. Candy and deep-frying thermometers are made of glass and are used for measuring much hotter temperatures. A Web Experience brought to you by LEAFtv, Science of Cooking: The Cold Water Candy Test, RecipeTips.com: How to Test Stages of Sugar, Diana's Desserts: Tips for Candy and Confections. For the Cold Water Test: 1/2 to 1 … Candy or deep-frying thermometers measure the much higher temperatures usually associated with these cooking techniques, up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius). With all of these problems, it’s a wonder people still use these old candy thermometers. That's the soft-crack stage, which is what you want for popcorn balls and taffy apples. 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