We used to 'work' the funnel cake stand when the kids were small - at their school fund raising fairs. We didn't have a ring - but someone had a funnel that had a lever (sort of like the old flour sifters) and you released this lever as you did the swirl -- it released a certain amount . Then you clicked it. Before this one gal brought that - we were using something similar to a mesuring cup with a better spout. It beat holding your finger over the hole! For us anyhow. But this was YEARS ago. Am sure they're much improed.