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Sugar Sculpting

Discussion in 'Professional Pastry Chefs' started by Guest, Sep 23, 2010.

  1. Sep 23, 2010 #1
    Guest

    Guest Guest

    I've been reading a lot on the subject and want to get started in this artform.  I tried my first batch last night using a recipe I found.  Working with the material I found that it took hours to harden completely so the flowers I made wilted and didn't look very happen lol.  What might be the cause of this? I also made a bow and the curved portions ended up deformed after an hour.  So I am thinking something is wrong.

    thanks in advance!
     
  2. Sep 23, 2010 #2
    foodpump

    foodpump

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    What temp. are you cooking your sugar to?  How high is the humidity in the area you work in?
     
  3. Sep 23, 2010 #3
    Guest

    Guest Guest

    The recipe said to boil to 310 F and then take off heat.  I am in Kansas and our humidity is usually around 80 % in the mornings and 60% in the evenings.
     
  4. Sep 23, 2010 #4
    chefedb

    chefedb

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    Should be higher temp for pulled sugar, plus it has to be worked on a slab of pref. marble
     
  5. Sep 23, 2010 #5
    chefedb

    chefedb

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    Should be higher temp for pulled sugar, plus it has to be worked on a slab of pref. marble
     
  6. Sep 24, 2010 #6
    chefedb

    chefedb

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    Try this   5 cups refined sugar   1 cup+2 tsp water  1 tsp white vinegar

    Bil using CANDY therm. to 320 stirring slowly   pour onto marble slab or silicone mats work back and forth with rubber gloved hands and pull till shiny. If wanted to sculpt, a heat lamp can be used.

    Vinegar keeps it from getting to hard while working.
     
    Last edited: Sep 24, 2010
  7. Sep 24, 2010 #7
    Guest

    Guest Guest

    thanks everyone.  I did talk to someone locally that suggested switching my cream of tartar to citric acid and instead of gell colors using powder.  Fixed the problem right quick.  My flowers made last night held up.  I did have another question tho. What do you do for storing bigger pieces or a sculpture in process?  Since some projects I could see would take a lot of time to make, how do your store a sculpture you are working on?  

    thanks again,
     
  8. Sep 24, 2010 #8
    Guest

    Guest Guest

    thanks everyone.  I did talk to someone locally that suggested switching my cream of tartar to citric acid and instead of gell colors using powder.  Fixed the problem right quick.  My flowers made last night held up.  I did have another question tho. What do you do for storing bigger pieces or a sculpture in process?  Since some projects I could see would take a lot of time to make, how do your store a sculpture you are working on?  

    thanks again,