In case I don't get around to adding this to the experiments page, here's instructions for candy melting fun.
Oven:
Cover a baking sheet with tinfoil
Unwrap your candy and put it on the sheet. (Caution: never melt a jawbreaker!)
Place in low oven (300-350 F) and wait to see what happens.
Microwave: use a microwave-safe plate and watch your candy (not jawbreakers) as you heat it. Most candy melts in a minute or less. If you heat it too long, you might scorch your candy or even your plate, so choose your dishes carefully and keep a close watch.
You might be surprised at what melts and what doesn't!
Now I want to know what happens if you DO try to melt a jawbreaker.
ReplyDeleteYeesh!
Melted jawbreakers have been known to explode and cause serious burns as seen on Mythbusters Episode 20, 2004 at http://mythbustersresults.com/episode20
ReplyDeleteThere have been a few news stories of children eating hot jawbreakers and getting burned by liquid candy. As discussed on Mythbusters, apparently some of the interior layers melt but some don't, and the liquid explodes out when crunched. Even on the TV episode, when they were trying to replicate this phenomenon, cast members got burned when they actually exploded one.
Why doesn't the twizzler melt? and dots too? Just curious if you knew off the top of your head. Crazy cool stuff!
ReplyDeleteTwizzlers aren't just made from sugar/corn syrup or sugar/corn syrup/oil, like a lot of candies. They also contain flour, so they're not going to melt. I can't remember offhand what Dots have in them, but if they contain gelatin that might explain why they don't melt.
ReplyDeleteI love jaw breakers
ReplyDeleteWhat about Nerds as I want to make nerds popsicles for my kids
ReplyDeleteTry it and let me know!
ReplyDeleteTrying laffy taffy now
ReplyDeleteFun! Watch for oil spots--when you melt it you can see patches of the ingredient hydrogenated cottonseed oil on the surface
ReplyDelete