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heating lamp for sugar work

post #1 of 12
4/8/07 at 7:23pm
Thread Starter 
Hey y'all!!

I'd like to get into doing sugar blowing, etc. I see that they suggest having a heating lamp. Does it have to be an infrared lamp or can you use a halogen lamp??? how hot does the lamp need to get to be used for sugar work???

Thanks much!
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post #2 of 12
4/8/07 at 10:50pm
I admit that I am not familiar with the concept of using a halogen lamp for hot sugar work, so I cannot comment there.

What we did was to go to the nearest restaurant supply store and buy a heat lamp like they use over french fries, and installed clear 250 watt bulbs. It cost $79.00 for the lamp (on sale) and another $15.00 for a spare set of bulbs.

Theresa icon_smile.gif
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post #3 of 12
4/9/07 at 1:20am
Thread Starter 
Thanks...I just want to make sure that there wasn't something in particular about the infrared light since the sites I looked at for sugar equipment all sold IR lamps. My dad said he may be able to rig something for me if I can find out the specifics of heat intenisty for the lamp.
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post #4 of 12
4/10/07 at 8:20pm
Kaysha,

You need an infra red lamp. It heats the sugar evenly instead of just cooking the surface.

You need a 500 watt bulb and housing for it.
You can get the bulb cheap at Home D, and the socket for it that is rated for 500 watts at any photography supply outlette.

You'll spend maybe $30.00 in total

If you try and use a 500watt bulb in a socket or housing rated for less it can pull too much electricity through the wires and cause a fire.

hope that helps,
www.kincaellan.com
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post #5 of 12
4/10/07 at 10:59pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks so much!!! That'll be lots of help. I'm really clueless about sugar art but I'd love to give it a try. I just don't want to spend $$$$ on it if I'm not any good. I ordered a BP bulb & valve & I got tubing to make a pump so I'll attempt it at least.

Can anyone recommend good books or sites for tutorials for sugar pulling/blowing? I found a few that showed how to make swans & roses but that's it so far.
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post #6 of 12
4/12/07 at 4:29pm
Regular 250 watt bulb works good. Clear or red don't matter. $10.99 at Lowes or Home Depot.
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post #7 of 12
4/13/07 at 9:07am
You can use a 250 watt bulb but the 500 watt ones are right next to them on the shelf and REALLY make a difference.
Go with clear NOT red if you can. It isn't a big deal but the red changes the colour of the sugar when it shines on it so it's easier to keep track of what you are doing with out the red light altering the colour.

If you have some really indepth questions feel free to e-mail me. If it takes a day or two for a reply it's because I have competitions and am teaching sugar classes right now. So please be patient.

www.kincaellan.com
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post #8 of 12
4/13/07 at 2:25pm
Red may depend on weather or not you want to wear sunglasses or not. Red has less glare on the eyes. Either way you go BE CAREFUL! These lamps are hot! And can cause severe burns.
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post #9 of 12
4/13/07 at 7:31pm
If you buy a proper metal fixture and cover for the heat lamp there won't be any glare and it will reduce the risk of burns.

www.kincaellan.com
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post #10 of 12
4/13/07 at 9:18pm
Thread Starter 
LOL well, I already have a nurse on stand-by for when I burn myself since I know I will. I never thought to get a cover for the bulb since most lamps I saw didn't have that.

I'll probably have lots of questions so thanks for the e-mail offer. icon_smile.gif I'll take you up on it soon since I'm such a wannabe. I'm hoping to see what I can do w/ this sugar art.
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post #11 of 12
4/14/07 at 4:36am
Best thing to do is what works for you. Sugar work is not an exact science if it were there would not be so many problems with this or that. And rather than point counterpoint this thread to death I will leave it at that. Any of the suggestions will work its up to you to decide what to use in the long run. The techniques and equipment issues in sugar work can be debated until the cows come home. And no ones ideas or suggestions are etched in stone. Take the basics and run with it from there. Its best if you incorporate techniques and ideas that work for you, cause what works for one may not work for the other.

Go to www.pastrychef.info theres an article there that will help you a lot. One of the best articles on sugar work bar none. And I am sure if Chef Chiffers had the time to write a book on sugar work it would be one of the best out there. Last time I spoke with him he was busy with the US Army Culinary Team getting them ready for competition.
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post #12 of 12
4/14/07 at 12:49pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the info. I'm just trying to get suggestions. So websites w/ info are appreciated too. I have several that I have found w/ lots of good info & even they have differents ways of doing it.
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