Wooden molds

[nas]

I was the lucky recipient of some wooden candy molds used by my grandfather to make candy, and I was wondering if they would work for maple. They are a two sided pour in mold, but I thought to just use one side. Should I spray oil in the molds, or use something else to help get the sugar out of the mold? Anyone ever used this kind of mold before?

Thanks,
Nick

[maplwrks]

I Would Mount Them On The Wall Of My Sugarhouse---Wooden Molds Are Hard To Come By, I Would Hate To Have Something Happen To Them While Using Them!

[3rdgen.maple]

Just wondering out loud hear but would all the climate changes in the sugarhouse, Steam, hot, cold, dry have the potential to cause them to crack?

[PapaSmiff]

My other hobby is woodworking. I would love to try to make some of these molds. Does anyone have a picture? I also wonder what type of wood is used for the mold.

[Jim Brown]

I agree with maplwks,Hang them on the wall and admire them don't use them!

my two cents

Jim

[nas]

Here are some pictures. I think the wood is pine, but I am not 100% sure because they are old and have been used a lot. I think any soft carve-able wood would work. It's all food grade isn't it?
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll244/milburough/Maple%20sugar%20stuff/100_2266.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll244/milburough/Maple%20sugar%20stuff/100_2269.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll244/milburough/Maple%20sugar%20stuff/100_2268.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll244/milburough/Maple%20sugar%20stuff/100_2270.jpg

[KenWP]

I would use maple as it is hard and dense. Pine would be to soft for molds and the knots play havoc with things. Maple is not that hard to carve with sharp knives. Pine also is hard to get smooth in the tight places.

[lew]

While in northern Maine several years ago I saw some sugar poured into wooden molds. I didn't pay real attention to what they were doing, but I did see them take the molds outside and soak them with a hose just before they poured into them. If they did any thing else to them I do not know. Maybe they were just rinsing the dust out for all I know. You mentioned oiling them before addding sugar. If this had been done in the past you would notice some sort of residue on them. From the pictures you posted, I didn't see any residue. I don't know the answer to your dilemma, but I wouldn't touch them with oil.

[C.Wilcox]

Here are some pictures. I think the wood is pine, but I am not 100% sure because they are old and have been used a lot. I think any soft carve-able wood would work. It's all food grade isn't it?


Not that it's terribly important, but I don't think those are pine. It's hard to tell from the photos, but I'd almost guess they were butternut or maybe chestnut. The grain is in the last photo is definitely not indicative of pine. Butternut specifically is known as an excellent carving material and wouldn't impart any off-flavor to food like pine might.