How to choose a marble slab for candy making

I want to buy a marble slab for candy making. One recipe I've found said that molten sugar (300F) should be poured directly on to a marble slab. However all the slabs I've seen advertised say that they are intended for pastry making only. And that using with high heat risks thermal shock and cracking. Does anyone have any recommendations of what kind of slab (thickness, dimensions etc.) I should be looking for?

Mer
  • Posted by: Mer
  • January 7, 2024
  • 2549 views
  • 5 Comments

5 Comments

Gammy January 9, 2024
Tagging in a similar question..... I am not a candy maker, but do see those recipes utilizing a marble slab. Knowing marble is fragile and there is a risk of cracking when exposed to hot liquid candy, would a small slab of granite work just as well? Or would it be tempting fate?
 
702551 January 8, 2024
The advice to buy at a home improvement center is wise; appearance is not important for this specific usage so having a flawless slab isn't a requirement. That will knock down the cost.

Perhaps equally important, you can assess the weight of the slab before you buy it. Remember that *YOU* may need to move this around; a large thick slab of marble is very awkward to maneuver. It's not going to warp like a wooden cutting board.

Anyhow best of luck.
 
Nancy January 8, 2024
A few thoughts.

Marble breaks when heated to 200C or 329F. Does dropping candy heated to 300F on it warm it enough to break?

Some cooking sites recommend buying marble tile from home renovation or DIY stores. Relatively inexpensive and easily replaceable.

If you have restaurant supply and/or candy shops near you, ask their advice.
 
Nancy January 8, 2024
PS
There’s an article here about using marble in food prep and presentation. Have a read through the comments, which discuss the danger of marble cracking when exposed conduct heat but not from indirect heat.
 
Nancy January 8, 2024
Last note: when exposed to direct heat…
 
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