Member Since: September 6, 2006
Answers: 1
Last Update: September 6, 2006
Visitors: 504
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I want to make jello filled balloons like in the movie Now and Then.
I've googled this and only get things that say "fill the balloon with jello and such and such" but nothing specifically telling me how to go about this..
so if anybody knows how to do this or knows a website please help!
thanks much!! :) (link)
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It seems kind of obvious that you need to fill the balloon while the Jello is still liquid, but there are some fine points that are important. First off, Jello is made with HOT water. It might not be a great idea to try to fill the balloon with the Jello mix while it is HOT (think boiling hot water splashing everywhere if the balloon shoul pop). Secondly, if the balloon DOES pop, you are going to have sticky colored Jello water everywhere, so some precautions are necessary.
Get yourself a Rubbermaid (brand doesn't really matter) storage bin, and fill the balloon inside the bin, this will help contain the Jello if the balloon pops. For added protection, I line the bin with a garbage bag, which should make reclaiming any lost liquid pretty easy, and will help with cleanup should the balloon pop.
The next thing you need is a willing helper, because this is nearly impossible to do on your own. I have a big funnel, AND a length of clear vinyl tubing I bought at the Home Depot. The tubing fits snugly on the end of the funnel (remember, it is a big funnel). The tubing is about 4 feet long.
Heat up a pan full of water, and mix your Jello according to the directions on the package, BUT use a bit less water than it calls for. Once the Jello is dissolved, use some ice (it will make up for the fact that you used a bit less water) to help cool the Jello down to a temperature that you can handle comfortably.
When the Jello is ready, one person holds the balloon around the end of the vinyl tubing, in the Rubbermaid bin. The other person stands up, holds the funnel, and pours the Jello into it. The height of the funnel gives the liquid Jello the pressure it needs to inflate the balloon (if you just put the ballon on the funnel and pour, there won't be enough pressure, and the balloon won't inflate).
Team work is important. The person holding the balloon has to keep feeling how full / tight it is getting, and tell the person pouring the Jello to stop in time. If you wait too long to make that call, the remaining Jello that is in the funnel and tube will burst the balloon as it pours in. When there is enough Jello in the balloon, the person holding the funnel can stop pouring, then pull the funnel out of the tube, and blow a bit of air through the tube to slightly inflate the ballon with air. Then, the person holding the balloon can pinch the neck of the balloon closed, and pull out the tube. Next, carefully allow the air out of the neck, then tie the balloon off.
Finally, I usually close the garbage bag around the balloon, get the extra air out of the bag, twist the bag shut, and tie a loose knot in it. This way, if the balloon should pop, the Jello stays in the garbage bag. Place the balloon, still in the garbage bag, in the refrigerator, and let it set up overnight.
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