how to tell the temperature of water with a candy thermometer
Drop a little of the candy into cold water to cool. If the candy forms a liquid thread that does not ball up, it is in the thread stage. This stage produces a type of sugar syrup but it is not yet candy. When your candy is in the thread stage, expect the temperature to be around 230 to 235 Fahrenheit. Drop some candy into cold water. If the candy forms a soft, flexible ball it is at a temperature of 235-240 degrees Fahrenheit or at the soft ball stage.