About Candy Molds Including Storage, Cleaning, and Uses.
There are a number of different types of candy molds available for purchase, but most can be divided into two categories:
Chocolate Molds are available in the largest variety. Usually you can tell these molds from other type of plastic used to make them. Generally it is a translucent, somewhat flexible plastic.
Hard candy molds almost always are made of a white opaque plastic and are less flexible. While both hard and chocolate candy molds can be used to mold chocolate or candy coating, only the white hard candy molds can be used for the hot liquid for hard candy.
Cleaning Your Candy Molds
Both hard and chocolate molds may be washed with hot soapy water as needed. They must be washed by hand. Never soak your chocolate candy molds in soapy water because they are porous enough to possibly absorb the soap, the taste of which would transfer to you candies!
DO NOT wash your molds in the dishwasher. None of your candy molds should ever be washed in the dishwasher. While the hard candy molds might survive the heat, the dishwashing detergent may etch them. Chocolate candy molds would only be useful as interesting centerpieces after a drying cycle in your machine.
Where to Keep Your Candy Molds
Chocolate and hard candy molds are best stored flat in a clean, dry place, out of the sun and protected from dust.
Using Molds & Prepping
For molding chocolate or candy coating, no preparation is needed beyond a light buffing with a paper towel or soft cloth. Hard candy molds must be prepped with non-stick cooking spray before adding the hard candy.
Chocolate candy molds can be used for a number of different uses besides chocolate. They can be used to mold soaps, gelatin, fondant, candy clay, and gum paste. If you use them for soap, it might be best to use them solely for that purpose as opposed to edible items.
Using Candy Molds for Fondant
When using the molds for fondant, you may coat the cavities with non stick cooking spray but you will have to be certain all of this is removed before attempting to use them with chocolate. Sometimes cornstarch or powdered sugar is used to keep fondant or gum paste from sticking in the molds. These molds probably won’t be good candidates for chocolate afterwards, as the powdered ingredients have been known to etch the cavities, making it more likely your chocolate would not come away cleanly.
Flexible Plastic Molds
These molds are made specifically for soft candies, such as cream cheese mints, caramel, marzipan, jellies and can also be used for candy coating and chocolate. They are not heat resistant.
The flexibility allows you to make softer candies and twist the mold to release them without deforming your sweet treats.
These molds are washed with hot soapy water, rinsed and allowed to dry flat. They can be washed in your dishwasher but it is best to remove them to dry flat before the drying cycle begins. Dishwasher soap will likely leave a permanent residue, so we would advise you to wash them by hand. You can also rinse these with hot water to clean them, rather than using soap.. Whichever washing method you choose, be sure that all water and moisture had been removed before storing these molds as it may make removable of candies more difficult at the next use.
If Candy Molds Have Had Proper Care, They Will Last For Years.
When properly used and cared for, all of your molds will provide you with years and years of enjoyable candy making. We have molds that are still in great shape and have been used regularly for over 20 years!