How to choose a cotton candy machine?
Many beginners wrongly choose the equipment. At first, it seems that all equipment is the same and differs only in price. Indeed, from the outside, the device looks like a metal box with a bowl. But the whole difference is hidden inside: the client does not see engines, capacitors, chassis, power transmission unit, bearings, and diffuser! And this is a huge difference!
The best cotton candy machines are produced by Gold Medal. Very reliable devices are made by Cretors. Recently, Russian devices appeared on the US market, which also refers to professional equipment.
Today I will talk about the Robolabs equipment – a Russian manufacturer, which produces several models of cotton candy machines at its own factory in the city of Tver (300km from Moscow, which they consider “very close”). We’ll talk about the models Twister, Focus and Jet Floss. And also compare them with Chinese equipment.
Twister cotton candy machine
Twister is a device for beginners (about 650$). It is cheaper than the Focus but less productive and powerful. If a person only takes the first steps in the concession business, but at the same time wants to buy reliable equipment (not cheap Chinese devices), this is an excellent choice. I started with this device 7 years ago by myself – and it still works!
This machine has a plastic pan, heating by a tubular heating element (not ribbon). Gold Medal’s machine uses ribbon, but it’s easy to break, and the spare part is quite expensive. Many experienced entrepreneurs buy several ribbons at once – in Robolabs equipment there is no ribbon, so you do not need to buy these spare parts.
Features:
Production rate – up to 3 kg/hour (6,5 lbs/hr)
Cold start time – 30 seconds
Voltage – 120/240 V (50/60 Hz)
Dimension – 670*670*480 mm (26,5 * 26,5 * 19 inch)
Weight – 15 kg
Focus cotton candy machine
The Focus is equipment for those who have been working with a concession for a long time (about 800$). Who has already earned good money and does not want to save money on equipment.
The Focus is more productive, it has a voltmeter (you can give instructions to the staff – what level of voltage to set). It forgives mistakes in exploitation, which is often the case with employees. This device is for those who do not work at carnivals by himself. This equipment is for those customers who hire personnel and have several outlets.
Both units are designed to work both indoors and outdoors (a bubble or tent requires). Even if the voltage of electricity is low (which often happens in carnivals and shows), this equipment still produces cotton candy very well unlike Chinese devices. Both units don’t use ribbons.
Features:
Production rate – up to 5 kg/hour (11 lbs/hr)
Cold start time – 15 seconds
Voltage – 230 V (50 Hz)
Dimension – 670*670*480 mm (26,5 * 26,5 * 19 inch)
Weight – 18 kg
Robo JetFloss cotton candy machine
This is the most interesting model! If you want to defeat competitors, take a close look at this model (about 1400$)!
Robo JetFloss has a vertical candy floss supply. According to it, the operator can make huge & enormous cotton candy – up to 6 ft in diameter! After some practice operator can make the real show with this machine – just look this video:
Features:
Production rate – up to 5 kg/hour (11 lbs/hr)
Cold start time – 20 seconds
Voltage – 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Dimension – 670*670*480 mm (26,5 * 26,5 * 19 inch)
Weight – 16 kg
Power – 1700W
And all these three models are very reliable. I have been making cotton candy by myself since 2009 and tried many different machines. By the ratio of price / quality – these three models are good in their own niche.
Customers buy this equipment also because after a few years it can easily be sold – it is reliable enough so the next customers will not have problems with the used equipment. That is, the client can return in the future most of its investments if he wants to sell the equipment.
What is the difference between cheap and professional equipment?
You probably want to ask, but what is the difference between cheap equipment from China and long-known brands from the US? Moreover, many customers believe that American manufacturers overcharged them. In fact, the difference is that American manufacturers are putting in the price of equipment more expensive labor cost, US taxes and a percentage of the operator’s future profits. And this is fair.
And Chinese manufacturers make low-power devices call them “commercial” (which is not true at all), write incorrect data in the description (2-4 servings per minute – false!), and deceive customers. What’s the point of buying cheap equipment if it does not work as it should?
Russian equipment is cheaper because wages and taxes in Russia are lower than in the US. But it is not inferior in reliability – this is the reason for its popularity.
Let’s see what is inside the Focus device (about 800 dollars)? Pay attention to the size of the motor!
Now let’s look inside typical equipment from China. 90% is empty! So, it should cost 90% less, not 350 dollars!
I hope that now you understand why prices differ so much. Good luck to you! And buy only quality equipment.
