Computer Controlled Slushee and Cotton Candy?

Monsta Coty Scott asks: "After reading through countless articles from techies on how to make your own gadgets from available hardware, I find myself getting a little hungry. I've turned my play station into a hand held, I've just finished turning my old computer case into a home built CD-Changer, and I'm getting ready to upgrade the linux MP3 player in my car. But I cannot get a decent suger rush to keep me going, and the cost of surge and mountain dew slurpees are eating into my electronics fund. Has anyone made a junk food machine at home, or out of parts laying around? I'm looking to build myself a Slushee machine that orders new syrup when it's running low, a cotton candy machine that warms up and turns itself on when my alarm goes off at 7am. I don't need this morning coffee, get me a slurpee and some suger and I am ready to go. Has anyone came across plans, or know the workings behind such machines? I think there's alot of unexplored territory we are missing here." I thought this was a fun one for the weekend. Who knows what crazy projects might result from this one. If any do arise, please share!

Comments

Mendelson's

[clark625]

The place that you are referring to is very likely Mendelson's Electronics. They are located in downtown Dayton, Ohio, and you can also buy things over the 'net. I've been there a few times. I usually just buy wire since it's so cheap; but they have everything from computer racks to water pumps to restaurant tables. Some people call a lot of it junk. Your mileage may vary.

Dentist bills

[grammar nazi]

Youch!! You have a definite sugar problem. I wouldn't consider making a Slushee machine and Cotton candy machine (for breakfast??) until after you create yourself a 'electric toothbrush' from scratch. Creating a dentist and a waterjet for rotting teeth may also be neccessary!

How they make cotton candy

[vrt3]

There's an article on that over at How Stuff Works.

Re:well, why not just buy one?

[innocent_white_lamb]

My goodness! A commercial cotton candy machine (a) takes forever to heat up, (b) is designed to crank out one helluva lot of cotton candy in a very short period of time, and (c) makes a helluva mess, and is a bugger to clean up afterward.

Frankly, I'd suggest simply purchasing pre-made cotton candy as needed if you require small quantities. Many candy wholesalers sell prepack cotton candy in bags, a case of which is not all that expensive.

The price of a cotton candy machine, plus the sugar, plus the (vast) amount of labour that it requires to operate and clean the unit is far more than the amount that would be saved by making your own cotton candy for any purpose other than relatively substantial commercial sale.