There is no question that with all the Chocolate Candy Molds available today, making your own chocolate candy is more fun than ever before. However, one of the most frustrating parts of ensuring your candy mold is ready for use next time is getting it clean. Some tips that will help ensure your candy molds are clean and ready to go are found here.
One of the first things to understand about chocolate candy molds is that even if you buy them new – never before used or opened – it needs to be cleaned. While the manufacturer may tell you to wash the mold with a mild soap and lukewarm water, it is also important to realize that plastic molds are well-known for absorbing whatever is heated inside them. This means that the hot water you use will heat the molds so they take on the flavor of the detergent that is being used. In most cases, this means avoid soap altogether.
Now you need to find an alternative to soap. Do you know what the options are? One option is to place the molds in warm (about 115 degrees F) water that has a very small amount of vinegar – one tablespoon per gallon of water. Allow a few minutes to pass to get the oils to release and then hold each mold under the water and shake it to remove any residue that remains. When you remove it from the water, you will rinse the mold with hot, clean water.
If you have made chocolates in your candy mold that contain any type of dairy product, then it may be a good idea to add a single tablespoon of chlorine for every gallon of water in order to kill any bacteria that is present. However, if you do this, it is essential that you dry and wipe them down right afterward in order to prevent spotting.
It is important that you never put the plastic molds are never put in a dishwasher. They will melt. In fact, you should not put your mold into any location that creates high amounts of heat.
Once you have washed the molds, it is essential to dry them completely, regardless of the method you use. It may be a good idea to use cotton balls and Q-tips to get in the crevices. When you use the tips here, you can have confidence that your candy molds will be ready to go the next time you want to use them.