Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

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asked January 31st 2015

Extruder

In the dragonfly stained glass tutorail , Raewyn says she adds glycerine to the fondant before putting it in the Extruder, I have not heard of that before, have tried with trex. Do you just knead glycerin in. If you do does the sugarpaste/flower paste dry hard? Thanks

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In the dragonfly stained glass tutorail , Raewyn says she adds glycerine to the fondant before putting it in the Extruder, I have not heard of that before, have tried with trex. Do you just knead glycerin in. If you do does the sugarpaste/flower paste dry hard? Thanks

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Hi Sue-Wales

A tiny bit of glycerine or trex kneaded into gumpaste softens it up so it can flow through the extruder more easily.
I use the same extruder and find sugarpaste/fondant goes through without the need of either. However gumpaste is thicker. The extruder is not strong enough to push it through and it does require softening. Glycerine attracts moisture, if too much is used the paste will become too soft and decorations will take longer to dry.
I don’t know what type of fondant Raewyn uses that requires softening for an extruder, perhaps she meant gumpaste. Normally fondant just goes striaght through. If fondant hasn’t been stored properly it goes hard and crusty, glycerine can be a handy rescue remedy to soften it up again. Hope this helps.

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I have the same extrude as well and have tried just with florist paste, and a little trex and it is very difficult to get it to go through so I will try it with glycerine so see if it helps. I will try and remember and let you know how I get on.
Jadkie

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Hi Jackie

I actually broke my extruder by using gumpaste/florist paste through it. As you know it’s not a cheap piece of equipment and the seller didn’t want to help me. I contacted the manufacturer who said they don’t recommned the use of strengthened pastes through their extruder. They recommend only using sugarpaste. They were also kind enough to give me repair or return instructions. My hubby managed to repair it. I also have a Belgian make which I bought at the cake show, that too has similar issues when using gumpaste. To be honest I prefer using sugarpaste through extruders, it dries just as quickly without all the struggle hassles.
Thanks for adding your experience, and look forward to your feedback on the glycerine, every little bit helps! xx

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What is the make of extruder used in The Masquerade Ball Cake?

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Hi gina

That’s the Makins brand. Google the name to see suppliers and best prices.
Not everyone gets on with this type of extruder although some people perservere and find it is better and stronger than most.

Hope this helps.

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Thank you madeitwithlove, I’ve just watched the dragonfly video to see which extruder used as you said above it’s the one you use but I have the same one and cannot get on with it even though I’ve tried all the advice, trex warming etc …it’s just impossible.
Seeing Janette McPherson using the Makins with no effort at all has sold it for me.
Thank you again 🙂

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You’re welcome Gina, I hope you find it easier than the other one.
There is a whole thread on the site about extruders, I’ve searched for it and can’t find which is really frustrating. When the site went down a few months ago some answers were completely lost. I guess that thread was one of them.

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