Nostalgia Cotton Candy Machine - Retro Cotton Candy Machine for Kids with 2 Reusable Cones, 1 Sugar Scoop, and 1 Extractor Head – Red

This seems like it is going to be great. I got it for my daughter for Christmas so I have only used it once to test it out and make sure I had the instructions down as I am sure she will want to use it right away. I read a few reviews that said it didn't work properly or well. I believe if you read the instructions and do as it says you will have good results. I used a candy cane crushed up to make the first batch. I will say that the cotton candy was more brittle than cotton candy I have ever had before and it didn't stick to the reusable sticks that come with the unit very well. It did however make a nice ball of what was easily identifiable as cotton candy and I am certain my daughter would have enjoyed it. I also have confidence that when our cotton candy sugars arrive that they will have an even better result. Crushed candy cane worked great and I trust it will do a great job if you follow the instructions. It was easy, fast after the recommended warm up time and will be a thrill to my daughters. If you have the ability, you may want to use it outside because the guard does not keep all of the floss from rising out of the top. I caught most of it, but if I were to make multiple batches (for a party or to make more than a small amount) I would consider doing it outside to prevent getting things sticky. It really was minimal flying of sugar string but I would prefer it was outside. Of course, if you live in MN you would likely not have good results outside in winter because it needs to be very hot. AND if you were to use it outside in humid weather it would probably not turn out well since humidity melts cotton candy. Regardless I am pleased and in a scientific curiosity sense for kids this is a really neat and fun appliance. The candy didn't stick to the plastic cones included with the set, I will attempt to put a dot of syrup or VERY small amount of water on one side next time to see if it sticks better. A paper cone or straw may work better.

The Nostalgia Cotton Candy Machine is such a fun addition to our kitchen! It’s easy to use and works great with both regular sugar and hard candies, which makes it even more versatile. The cotton candy comes out light, fluffy, and just like the kind you’d get at a fair. It’s a big hit at family gatherings and parties, and even fun just for a weekend treat. Cleanup is pretty simple too. If you’re looking for something fun, nostalgic, and kid-friendly (or just for your inner kid), this machine is totally worth it!

I bought this cotton candy machine for my granddaughter for Christmas, and she loves it. She's 11 years old, and it is simple enough for her to put together and use. We read the directions, and she understood that it is important to allow enough warm-up time in order for the sugar or candy to melt properly (3 minutes). I bought a set of the flossing sugar bottles and a large box of the paper cones to go with it. She and her friends had a great time experimenting with the different flavors of flossing sugar and then trying out hard candies, which worked equally well. It took a little time to master the art of how to hold the paper cones and how to gather the "cotton." At first she kept dipping the cones vertically into the spinner, but it was too easy to bump the heating element and then melt the ball of candy on the cone. She also found that the candy gathered too tightly around the cone and ended up in a heavy ball instead of the traditional cottony fluff. After reading some reviews, we found that starting the cone inside the bowl and then holding the cone above the bowl allowed the "cotton" to very lightly wrap around the cone, thereby producing a huge and fluffy cotton candy, just like at the carnival. Although the machine does work very well, there are a few issues I wish the manufacturer would address. The machine vibrates so much that you really need a second person to hold it in place. Putting some rubberized shelving material under it helped some, but you still need a second person to help. This vibrating also shakes the plastic bowl loose. Clean up is easy with the exception of the heating element. Once the heating element has cooled, it needs to be removed for soaking/cleaning. This is NOT an easy chore. I am a pretty strong person, but I had a very hard time removing it. When you push the unit on, you will notice that it goes on VERY tightly. So once it is coated with sugar, cools, and hardens, it is even harder to get off. I actually am concerned that I will break it or bend the post it is mounted on. Be sure there is an adult to do this step of the clean up. I read a few other reviews that addressed these issues, so I know it isn't just the one I bought. But I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned these things in their reviews. Perhaps not all of these machines do this. Once the heating element is removed, clean up is easy. Everything is soaked in hot water for a short while to melt the remaining sugar. No scrubbing is needed. This is a fun machine for a small group of kids (and adults), but I wouldn't plan on using it for a huge birthday party of children; it takes too much time for each cone...maybe 4 or 5 minutes. It's a good idea to read the directions well and some of the reviews here on Amazon before using your machine. Some people have already tried all the different candies that work and will tell you what does not work. This is good information. Overall, we are happy with this purchase.

My kids and I absolutely love this cotton Candy maker. I bought it for my little guy for Xmas as he's been asking me for one for months now. And I'm glad i did! Not only was the price so affordable, the machine is well constructed, it's Easily assembled, easily stored, portable, easy to use, instructions are pretty clear with words and pictures both & it has 4 suction cups on the bottom of the machine to keep it from slipping off surfaces while in use- a safety feature i absolutely love! And it comes with 2 reuseable washable plastic candy cones & a little measuring spoon for the flossing sugar. ***You buy that separately. It does not come with sugar*** Only con: Sometimes I have trouble getting the top to stay on without coming loose and moving around while it's turned on & I'm spinning, but it's not a huge deal, it still functions properly, it's just a little more noisy. TIP: When assembling make sure you gently press down on the bowl to click it in place, then turn it counterclockwise til it snaps again. How I use it: Once assembled, plug it in and flip the switch on & let it warm up for 10 minutes FIRST! After 10 min, SWITCH IT OFF BEFORE ADDING SUGAR/candies. TIP: Essentially, you can use any hard candy you n want if you don't have flossing sugar. Just do NOT overfill or you'll risk having the webs fall underneath the heating element. If using hard candy, finely crush it before pouring it in. The instructions and the pictures on where exactly to put the sugar/candies aren't clear. They say & show 2 different Answers so I had to get on YouTube to confirm where to put it and it does go directly in the center of the machine. Just Be careful not to get anything directly on the heating element plate. Brush it off before you flip it on if you do. Webs will start forming around the top inside bowl after about a minute or so after turning it back on. TIP: It's important to hold your cones above the bowl horizontally to catch the webs. In my video, you'll occasionally see me turn my cone vertically a couple of times - I found this to be necessary if it starts to accumulate webs faster than you're spinning them. TIP: Don't expect huge, thick commercial grade carnival sized cotton Candy clouds out of this little machine. But each tablespoon of sugar does create a nice amount of cotton Candy in one sitting. TIP: Use a good quality flossing sugar for the best outcome. I bought a big box that includes 100 disposable cones and 5 flavors of flossing sugars right on amazon that work great and taste great too! TIP: if you run out of both hard candies and flossing sugar, just scrape around the sides of the bowl where your flossing sugar residue gets caught , crumble that up really well and put it in the center and use that instead! It tastes great and works just as effectively and isn't as wasteful or costly in the long run! I dump all my sugar Crystal residue into a little container with an air tight lid so I can go back and use it later when I run out of flossing sugar. ** caution: this machine gets VERY hot. Do not let children operate this thing without close supervision. Don't let them put their hands inside the bowl even when it's not spinning-- it's still very hot. Make sure it's completely cooled off before re-storing it.*** Great product. Great quality. Family friendly. Fun to use. Very happy with this purchase and would definitely recommend!!

We love it. Opened it today and it works amazing!!!

if you have all day to sit in front of a cotton candy machine then maybe this is for you. If you get paid more than three dollars an hour, don't waste your time. Go get a job and work for an hour and use that money to buy some cotton candy. This cotton candy machine is completely pointless. i guess i was expecting a bit much for the price. but all the same the description ought to somehow warn that it would take twenty minutes to make a small batch... then cleaning it is a bit of a chore as the heated parts don't come off so that they can be run under water. imagine pulling it out at a kids party and getting them all excited. i guess it would work out if your party consists of two or less kids, but i saw kids lose interest and go to find something else to eat.

The Nostalgia Retro Countertop Cotton Candy Maker has brought back delightful memories of childhood fairs and carnivals right into my home! This vintage candy machine is not only adorable in its retro red design, but it also delivers delicious cotton candy that tastes just like the ones I used to enjoy as a kid. One of the best features of this cotton candy maker is its versatility. It works with both hard candies and flossing sugar, providing options for different flavors and textures. I love experimenting with various hard candies to create unique cotton candy flavors, and the results have been delightful every time! The set comes with two reusable cones, a sugar scoop, and an extractor head, making it a complete kit for creating cotton candy at home. The cones are easy to clean and can be used over and over again, saving me the hassle of purchasing disposable cones. Using the machine is a breeze. It heats up quickly and is ready to start spinning cotton candy within minutes. The extractor head works like magic, turning the melted candy or flossing sugar into fluffy and sweet cotton candy in no time. I appreciate the compact and countertop-friendly design of this cotton candy maker. It doesn't take up much space in my kitchen, and the retro red color adds a charming touch to my countertop. Cleaning the machine is simple as well. The extractor head can be easily removed for cleaning, and the unit itself can be wiped down with a damp cloth. The parts are well-made and durable, ensuring the machine will last for many cotton candy-making sessions to come. Not only is this cotton candy maker perfect for family gatherings and parties, but it also brings joy and excitement to any occasion. Watching the cotton candy being spun right in front of my eyes is a delightful experience that never gets old! In conclusion, the Nostalgia Retro Countertop Cotton Candy Maker has exceeded my expectations in every way. Its charming retro design, ease of use, and ability to create delicious cotton candy from both hard candies and flossing sugar make it a fantastic addition to any kitchen. Whether you're hosting a party or just want to enjoy some nostalgic treats, this cotton candy maker is a must-have for all ages. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to add a touch of fun and sweetness to their home!

Well like most of you I agonized over whether to buy this or not....I knew that it wasn't going to be a pro quality item and was not expecting results like I get at the county fair. Imagine my surprise. I purchased the Paragon Sugar Floss so I have not tried to use hard candy yet. While I was not crazy about the flavor of the Paragon the performance of this machine was top notch. Follow the directions exactly....with a twist. The directions tell you to warm it up for 3-5 minutes...yes...do that. They also specifiy that you can use 2 TWO cups of sugar but must do it in stages....yes...do that. Here is how I got the cotton candy in the photo I hope to upload. :) When it seems like it has stopped making floss....turn it off. Take a wooden kabob dowel and gently loosen the sugar still in the head. Then start it up again. It took me about 5 minutes to make that candy you see in the photo. That includes the time to add a second scoop. I'm very impressed and very happy so far. I do hope I can figure out how to upload photos for ya'll. But if it means anything...I NEVER leave reviews.....that's how happy I am with this purchase. Ok so I have had this a month now.....and I really abuse it...LOL I'm seriously addicted to cotton candy so I am running it realisticly...an hour a day or more. The only complaint I have is it's noisy as hell because the shield rattles. And of course I have already dented up the spinner....but guess what? Call the company and talk to a very nice and helpful customer service lady and for $15 including shipping they send you a new one. So my final opinion still stands.....this is an excellent and fun machine for HOME USE. I don't consider what I do home use so I will probably be upgrading to a pro model. But $40....it's really a lot of fun! ps....buy a 10lb bag of organic unbleached sugar from Amazon for a guilt free treat :) Unfortunately the Flossine flavoring is all artificial....but hey...2 tablespoons to 10 POUNDS of sugar? It's not going to kill you. :) Ok...last edit....I guess I killed it. It no longer works.....it just glazes the sugar and I tried buying new spinner heads. I went from a 5 to a 3 because I still think it is a fine machine for occasional home use. But for $40 you just can't run it everyday, several times a day.