So when I first got into fondant, I made some batches of MMF...not satisifed with that, I started int FondX. Liked it pretty good...then to save some money started Satin Ice.
I've used Satin Ice about two years and now I'm starting to get dissatisfied from it...not getting as nice of results as I used to. So I ordered four 10 lb buckets of FondX which actually was pretty comparable in price to the 20 lb Satin Ice I was getting.
I just covered a cake in FondX and have some comparisons to share....
First, the taste of FondX and taste/texture is actually much nicer than Satin Ice! FondX is slightly more creamy and has a very mild sweet taste. I tasted Satin Ice again and it was slightly more chewy, and I actually could slightly taste the plastic bag flavor in it. Maybe its more old, I dunno...but I actually took like 3-4 bites of the FondX and I haven't eaten Satin Ice for ages!!!!
My second big thing I noticed is that the FondX seems a bit more elastic than the Satin Ice. It rolled out easily and it *seemed* like I was able to cover my cake in a bit less time because it was easy to press out the folds and wrinkles as opposed to the Satin Ice. Now this might mean its more difficult to make bows and figures...haven't tried it yet...may have to just keep a small tub of Satin Ice on hand for that because I love how stiff and dry the Satin Ice gets, quickly. I guess I'll find that out as I continue working with the FondX.
As far as appearance...it looks about the same...not perfect, because I do a crappy job of icing cakes haha and today's buttercream was absolutely FULL of air bubbles.....but I'm pretty sure any flaws were due to my horrid icing job rather than the fondant itself.
I did see a few scattered tiny chunks of sugar or something in the FondX. I have not seen that happen with Satin Ice. So I am not sure if it was from my powdered sugar (although I do sift the powdered sugar onto my surface) or flaws in the actual fondant but I'll keep an eye on it. I hope its not the fondant.
I do know I did not get elephant skin on my cake, nor did the corners start to stretch while the fondant hung down. With Satin Ice, I would take scissors and hurriedly chop off any excess fondant for fear it would tear at the top. I didn't this time and didn't see any problems even though the fondant hung down a good 5 inches past the base of the cake while I smoothed.
Anyway thought it would be helpful....my biggest thing was the taste I think...and eating-texture. I'll see if I come up with anything else as I decorate it.
so how much are you paying for fondx vs. satin ice?
I pay about $60 for 20 lbs. of satin ice (with shipping) and I just can't find the fondx for that!
thanks for letting us know. I too have been having enormous trouble with SatinIce and its consistency in the last 6 months, and have been on the verge of ordering that big 40 lb box of Fondx. Keep us posted!
so how much are you paying for fondx vs. ?
I pay about $60 for 20 lbs. of (with shipping) and I just can't find the fondx for that!
Its $26.99 at GSA for 10 lbs of FondX....that's $53.98 for 20 lbs (I was paying $63 locally, total incl shipping, for Satin Ice) and then I ordered four tubs plus a few cutters and my total shipping was $25. So that's the equivalent of $66.48 including shipping for 40 lbs of FondX and even possibly less if you count that a couple bucks of that was for shipping the cutters I ordered anyway. But if not still...only like $4 more for me to order the FondX than the Satin Ice.
I haven't checked my local place (Oasis) for FondX yet...I just happened to be on GSA one night and decided to order some from them.
thanks for letting us know. I too have been having enormous trouble with SatinIce and its consistency in the last 6 months, and have been on the verge of ordering that big 40 lb box of Fondx. Keep us posted!
I haven't seen the 40 lb box! Where did you see that?
hmm.... its a big box for like $199.00, and it has 4-6 buckets in it. I can't find it for some reason right now. Maybe I'm hallucinating. If I find it again, I'll let you know.
hmm.... its a big box for like $199.00, and it has 4-6 buckets in it. I can't find it for some reason right now. Maybe I'm hallucinating. If I find it again, I'll let you know.
Hmmm that doesn't sound like a very good deal...I'd just get the 10 lb buckets...you can always use the buckets for something, I dunno, growing tomato plants or something haha. Sorting legos, who knows.
Ditto on every point.
I've been happily using FondX for years, but I like the Satin Ice colors and have to order each from a different place. So, to consolidate, I decided to try Satin Ice white again. Ack!!! It was horrible! Elephant skin, tearing, everything you mentioned! I was mortified! Thank goodness the design was random polka dots. hehe
I find the Satin Ice colored fondant to be more elastic than the white. Perhaps the addition of coloring changes the texture.
And yes, I have a stack of buckets halfway to Mars. Just can't bring myself to throw away a perfectly good bucket! LOL
This is very interesting. I just tried Satin Ice for the first time last week (just for decos, not to cover the cake) and was happy with its texture but found the smell and taste to be comparable to Wilton. It was chemically to me! I have been using Fondarific and have been really happy with its workability and its taste/texture but thought I would try Satin Ice. I will use the Satin Ice for decorations but I definitely won't use it to cover a cake. I'll have to try FondX. Does anyone have a comparison of FondX and Fondarific?
Yes, does anyone know of a comparison of Foderific and Fondx? I love Fonderific but the price is killing me!
I know I was surprised too when I actually started checking their prices, I think they are as low as possible for mail order fondant...its basically wholesale, or close to it!
I did see a few scattered tiny chunks of sugar or something in the FondX. I have not seen that happen with . So I am not sure if it was from my powdered sugar (although I do sift the powdered sugar onto my surface) or flaws in the actual fondant but I'll keep an eye on it. I hope its not the fondant.
I'll see if I come up with anything else as I decorate it.
I've had this exact thing going on...little tiny hard (not rock hard) pieces...sometimes I can knead them out, but more often I end up just picking them out...very annoying .
Thanks for posting the comparison!
I got these too and I thought it was that I'd maybe let it dry out in a corner or something. Yes, I agree very annoying! Fondx is the cheapest in my area so thats what I use
Tastewise, I also prefer Fondx over Satin Ice. I usually just use FondX to make Jennifer Dontz's fondant. I've never had luck using FondX alone though--I find it too soft.
I felt bad because I just purchased 75 pounds of Bakels at a wholesaler and I could have gotten 90 pounds for the same price! They had a 2 day sale (or was it a 1 day sale?) once so keep checking everytime.
Anyways, you can also contact Alan or Daniel of Cal Java and ask for the price bracket sheet, you might save a few bucks.
Has anyone compared the choc fondant that Jennifer Dontz makes with pettinice fondant. to any other fondants? Does the choc fondant recipe work great with a cheaper fondant? thanks. I have tried her fondant and it worked wonderfully. but is expensive.
Debcent, I've tried it with PettinIce, FondX, Wilton, and Satin Ice. I like the performance on PettinIce and FondX. With Wilton, the texture wasn't as elastic as I'm used to. It felt like rubber.
I used Pettinice when I worked at a catering place and I dunno if it was just too cold in there or what but it was rock hard and difficult to get kneaded...hm.
Darn, that means the FondX naturally has little chunks in it. Oh well..... it does taste nicer than Satin Ice...and little chunks, I guess, aren't as bad as elephant skin and rips.
I was using Satin Ice till last yr and stopped, for the same reasons as previously posted. I started using Fondarific when I discoverd them at a Cake Show. I went to the NCACS again this yr and FondX had a booth. I liked the taste plus they were having a show special.
Compared to Fondarific I like the price and the taste of FondX. Fondarific is good, but for the price I'm going to stay with FondX. Fondarific is also hard to get out of the buckets, FondX is easier to handle.
Kitagrl, try contacting Cal Java with your problem. I've used 8 buckets of FondX and never had a problem with the little chunks. The only time I had a problem is when it had some type of odor (they replaced it for me).
I buy Satin Ice all the time and never had any of the problems you are describing here. I just did 10 cakes in the last 2 weeks all in SI with no problems. Are you over working it. I have tried all the other fondants and will use them in a pinch, but love the colors and taste of SI. IMO
Rylan, I will see how a few more cakes go and if I continue to find little chunks I will contact them...maybe its just my one tub.
CandyCakes hmm nope not overworking it, I get lazy and underwork it, if anything. haha.
I've used Satin Ice for over 2 years now solid and its always been fine but lately have had a bit of problems with it. Not sure why. It gave me alot of trouble on my Dr. Seuss competition cake recently so I got mad at it and went back to FondX. FondX used to be what I used anyway but Satin Ice was cheaper...but now FondX is alot closer to the SI price so why not.....
I recently saw Satin Ice at the Atlantic City Bakery Expo and they had Mercedes Strachwsky demo at their booth. Amazing work she does !! She uses Satin all the time. Her video is on their website www.satinfinefoods.com. Have you contacted SI about your issues ?
sorry to hijack this thread but I have a question along the same theme...
How do you not overwork SI, when you need to color it? I find by tinting it, I end up with a lot of airbubbles. What does overworked SI look like typically?
this is all very interesting to me because i have been using satin ice for years and have never had a problem with it. if you are having problems with it you should give them a call there very easy to talk to over there and i am sure they will work with you they have a very knowledgeable staff
I've gone through a few buckets of fondx with no problem. I've been loving it! But the last bucket I purchased was full of nuggets. Did not make for a very happy caker! I've heard of the nuggets happening to other fondants too - I guess no one's safe.
I've gone through a few buckets of fondx with no problem. I've been loving it! But the last bucket I purchased was full of nuggets. Did not make for a very happy caker! I've heard of the nuggets happening to other fondants too - I guess no one's safe.
I guess we should bring it to their attention hm....CalJava?
Just an update...
I think I will have to keep Satin Ice on hand for making hard decorations that I don't want to use gumpaste for....I made daisies out of the FondX and even after plenty of time to dry, they are VERY fragile. Breathe wrong, and they break. (Even with Tylose added). So....I mean it works, but I much prefer Satin Ice for decorations.
BUT I am still loving FondX for covering the cake. It seems to have just a little extra stretch to it that really works. Yesterday I was covering a cake and I accidentally put the fondant off-center. I had about two inches I had to cover, and since the fondant was extra thick on the edge, I was able to gently coax it to cover the gap and smooth it just fine! No cracks! So I really liked that.
Plus CalJava has some great customer service, just talked to them about the lumps and they are going to investigate and send me a new tub.... he said to let him know if my other tubs have lumps. This second tub does have a couple but not enough to bug him for another free tub.
Hope this helps!
I too, just spoke with the Canadian Caljava rep. Great Customer Service! I was not expecting a call back so soon. They'll be sending me a new tub as well. I guess it can happen when they get to the end of a batch (so I was told). I'm still lovin' Fondx and will continue to use!
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