How can you tell soft ball stage without a thermometer?

To check your sugar syrup has reached the correct stage without using a sugar thermometer, place a bowl of very cold water next to the hob. Using a clean spoon, carefully take a little of the syrup and drop it into the bowl of cold water. Leave to cool for a moment then pick up the ball of syrup.

How can you tell the temperature of candy without a thermometer?

While the candy is cooking, periodically drop a small spoonful of the candy into the bowl of cold water. Immerse your hand in the water, try to form the sugar into a ball, and bring it out of the water. The shape and texture of the resulting sugar blob will tell you the approximate temperature of your candy.

What temperature is soft ball candy stage?

For example, at 235° F, the syrup is at the “soft-ball” stage. That means that when you drop a bit of it into cold water to cool it down, it will form a soft ball.

How long do you cook candy for soft ball stage?

Allow the temperature to rise on the thermometer until it stops, approximately 10 to 12 minutes. If the thermometer is accurate it should read 212°F, at sea level. See boiling point for other altitudes below.

Is 234 degrees soft ball stage?

Soft-ball stage (234 to 240 degrees F): When the ball of candy is removed from the cold water, the candy instantly flattens and runs over your finger. Hard-ball stage (250 to 266 degrees F): When the ball of candy is removed from the cold water, it can be deformed by pressure, but it doesn’t flatten until pressed.

How long do you boil fudge to get to soft ball stage?

Soft ball stage is 112-115c (234-240c). You can also test for soft ball stage by using a glass of cold water. When the fudge has boiled for about 10 minutes start to test by dropping a little of the mixture into a glass of cold water.

Can I use regular thermometer instead of candy thermometer?

Can Meat Thermometer Be Used for Candy? When making candy, whether at home or in a professional setting, the temperature is everything. Meat thermometer usage can easily be applied to making candy, as long as the temperature rating is high enough, so read on for the answers to all your thermometer questions!

How do you know when candy reaches 300 degrees?

Step 6: Hard Crack Stage 300 F (150 C) Hard Crack: With a clean spoon, when the syrup dropped into ice water it separates into hard, brittle threads that break when bent. You can actually hear a crack when the syrup hits the cold water.

What temp is hard crack stage?

310° F.
The process of turning sugar into a hard, smooth, transparent confection involves heating a sugar/corn syrup/water solution to 300 – 310° F. {150 – 155° C.}, or what is known as the hard crack stage of sugar. The use of a candy thermometer is not essential, but highly recommended and accuracy is critical.

What temperature is soft ball stage at high altitude?

For each 1,000 feet above sea level, reduce the finish temperature by 2°F.

What temperature is hard crack stage?

The process of turning sugar into a hard, smooth, transparent confection involves heating a sugar/corn syrup/water solution to 300 – 310° F. {150 – 155° C.}, or what is known as the hard crack stage of sugar. The use of a candy thermometer is not essential, but highly recommended and accuracy is critical.

How long does it take caramel to get to soft ball stage?

The recipe I use takes about 45 minutes to reach soft ball stage. First off I have 2 candy thermometers. One lists soft ball temp at 240 and one lists it as 234.

What should the temperature of a soft ball of candy be?

Use a reliable candy thermometer. To test its accuracy, place it in boiling water. The thermometer should read 212°F (100°C). If the reading is higher or lower, calculate the difference when testing the temperature during candy making. Hardness Temperature Cold Water Test Soft Ball Stage 234 – 240°F 110 – 115°C

How to tell the temperature without a candy thermometer?

How to Tell the Temperature Without a Candy Thermometer 1 It’s Surprisingly Scientific. The basic technique is pretty simple. 2 Make It Roll: Soft, Firm and Hard Ball Stages. 3 Make It Crack. Some candies require you to cook the sugar to an even higher temperature. 4 Use a Thermometer When Possible…

Which is the highest temperature for making candy?

The hard-crack stage is the highest temperature you are likely to see specified in a candy recipe. At these temperatures, there is almost no water left in the syrup. Drop a little of the molten syrup in cold water and it will form hard, brittle threads that break when bent.

How do you do a cold water test for candy?

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). Quickly examine and/or carefully pick up the sugar from the cold water. The firmness of the sugar indicates the highest temperature the syrup reached.