Hot sugar syrup in polycarbonate molds

[Darienne]

Confectionery partner, Barbara, and I own some rather delightful polycarbonate molds, especially the little people mold which Barbara bought from Kerry Beal. I am wondering if I could dare pour boiling hot sugar syrup into these molds to make hard candies. Usually I use the 'hard tack' molds, which are actually quite flimsy although designed for very hot syrup and make lollipops for the children, but I'd like to try making the same candies in these little people molds if possible.

Anyone ever try such a thing? Thoughts on the subject?

[Kerry Beal]

Don't do it! It could ruin the mold and I don't think that they will unmold well.

[Lisa Shock]

I'd avoid it, most manufacturers instructions say to avoid high heat, and, to avoid a dishwasher because that's too hot. I also see notices warning users to avoid hot stovetops. Hot sugar is quite a bit hotter than a dishwasher, so, I'd say it's a no-go.

If it worked, you'd think that sellers would advertise them for use in hard candy making, and they don't.

[Darienne]

Got it! Got it good. And no, I haven't done it. I did wait. And now I won't ruin Barbara's mold and have to buy her a new one.

Too bad. Such a neat idea.

Thanks.

[pringle007]

I had that same idea once... long ago...before I found egullet. Bad idea. Goodbye Mold. And I have yet to find the same mold again, so if anyone knows where I can get a poly King Tut mold (it had been my grandmothers, so it may have been used in the Pharoah's kitchen thats how old it "looked"), please link me!!

[Darienne]

Interestingly enough, I have used cheap chocolate molds to make hard tack. Poured water into a cookie pan, put the mold into the pan, and froze the two together. Then poured the hot sugar syrup into the frozen mold. Worked fine. Did it only one for the heck of it.

Hmmm....don't recall which cheapo mold it was so I never rechecked it to see if I could use it again. In the beginning I collected a number of those molds at yard sales, etc. I have yet to find a polycarbonate mold at a yard sale. Rats.

[John DePaula]

Interestingly enough, I have used cheap chocolate molds to make hard tack. Poured water into a cookie pan, put the mold into the pan, and froze the two together. Then poured the hot sugar syrup into the frozen mold. Worked fine. Did it only one for the heck of it.

Hmmm....don't recall which cheapo mold it was so I never rechecked it to see if I could use it again. In the beginning I collected a number of those molds at yard sales, etc. I have yet to find a polycarbonate mold at a yard sale. Rats.

May need to start frequenting yard sales in Belgium (tongue firmly planted in cheek).

Nice trick with the chocolate molds and freezing; however, I still would not be too sanguine about using hot sugar in them because of leaching out bad stuff into your confections.

[Kerry Beal]

I had that same idea once... long ago...before I found egullet. Bad idea. Goodbye Mold. And I have yet to find the same mold again, so if anyone knows where I can get a poly King Tut mold (it had been my grandmothers, so it may have been used in the Pharoah's kitchen thats how old it "looked"), please link me!!

I know the mold you are talking about - I haven't seen it recently - but I'll keep an eye out for it.

[Darienne]

Good point. Never thought of that.

Oops. Goes back to John DePaula' post.

Edited December 8, 2009 by Darienne (log)

[Kerry Beal]

I had that same idea once... long ago...before I found egullet. Bad idea. Goodbye Mold. And I have yet to find the same mold again, so if anyone knows where I can get a poly King Tut mold (it had been my grandmothers, so it may have been used in the Pharoah's kitchen thats how old it "looked"), please link me!!

I know the mold you are talking about - I haven't seen it recently - but I'll keep an eye out for it.

Here he is at JVK in Holland.

[pringle007]

I had that same idea once... long ago...before I found egullet. Bad idea. Goodbye Mold. And I have yet to find the same mold again, so if anyone knows where I can get a poly King Tut mold (it had been my grandmothers, so it may have been used in the Pharoah's kitchen thats how old it "looked"), please link me!!

I know the mold you are talking about - I haven't seen it recently - but I'll keep an eye out for it.

Here he is at JVK in Holland.

Thats it!!! Thanks you sooooo much!! I wonder what else they have...Ive never visited this site..

[Edward J]

The post Lisa Shock wrote about not putting molds in the d/washer. Uh...Um, well, I do do it, on occasion, and in a high temp commercial d/w as well. Hasn't affected the performance of the mold at all. Then again, I only washed them maybe 4 or 5 times in the last 3 years......

[Kerry Beal]

I had that same idea once... long ago...before I found egullet. Bad idea. Goodbye Mold. And I have yet to find the same mold again, so if anyone knows where I can get a poly King Tut mold (it had been my grandmothers, so it may have been used in the Pharoah's kitchen thats how old it "looked"), please link me!!

I know the mold you are talking about - I haven't seen it recently - but I'll keep an eye out for it.

Here he is at JVK in Holland.

Thats it!!! Thanks you sooooo much!! I wonder what else they have...Ive never visited this site..

Chocolate world lists it too - saw it in their catalogue last night - so you should be able to get it from Tomric or Chocolat-Chocolat - but may be special order.