Which do you guys prefer? And why?

I've been using the disposable bags because they're the most convenient, but I'm thinking of switching to the parchment triangles. I also have a featherweight bag that came in my tool caddy set, but I have yet to use it. I think having to wash it would be more trouble than it's worth.

I hate even the idea of washing greasy buttercream out of a pastry bag so I use disposable plastic bags all the time. Parchment bags are okay for small amounts of icing, but I don't know how to open them back up and add more icing to it (my bags usually end up squished little messes), so I don't use parchment for many things.

ditto miaT!

I use a mixture of the three. For buttercream, I usually use disposable bags. For royal, I use either featherweight or parchment, depending on the amount of icing in each color I will be using. For chocolate for transfers, I use disposable bags.

I used to use featherweight for everything except chocolate, but I was really annoyed by the discoloration from dark colors. (Also, even when cleaned well, featherweight bags quickly take on an unpleasant odor.) Washing wasn't a big deal--just plenty of HOT water and Dawn dish soap.

I agree with MiaT too, parchment bags are a big pain I prefer the disposable ones myself.

I use the parchment although they seem to break down some if you have royal icing in them too long. I like that I can cut them down so I have 3 different size options and I just toss them when I am done. I am able to open them up to add more icing although I have to admit it is messy.

If the disposable bags were cheaper, I might go with them just because I wouldn't have to "assemble" a bag each time. But I'm getting better at it after lots of practice.

I used to use my featherweights a lot and actually prefer the feel of them, but I've gotten lazy. it seems like with everything going on lately I just don't want to take the time to deal with them so I use disposables. (I've started buying fondant too, instead of making MMF!)

I agree with the previous posts...
by the big box of 100 with a 40% or 50% off coupon then they are like 12 cents each.

I keep all bag types on hand. I have been using the featherweight (reusable) ones more often, as I'm trying to be more conscious of my contribution to our world's landfills. However, when I use disposables, I prefer Kee-seal (for the comfort). I use parchment occasionally for small detail work.

P.S. I don't find it too cumbersome to clean the featherweight bags. After I remove the tip and empty what's left of the icing, I hold the bag open and run it under HOT-HOT-HOT water (careful, though!). What little is left in there quickly melts away. I turn the bag inside-out and wash it really good with hot soapy water. Then I turn it right-side-out and do the same. I prop them up to dry. No problemo!

I use the featherweight ones the most. I found a little trick when washing them, using hot water, add a little vinegar to the water, and they wash right up nicely, not greasy.

Personally, I use all three. Each one has different qualities that I like when decorating.

If I just have a little bit to do on a cake, etc., I will use a parchment bag.

For filling cupcakes or pastries, etc., I like featherweight. I have one that I use only for filling.

For regular/usual cake decorating, I like disposables or featherweights.

For icing a cake, I like the 16" or 18" featherweights with the cake icing tip.

For brush striping or spatula striping, or any other time I want special coloring effects, I'll usually use parchment. I have used disposables before, but mainly parchments.

For some of my candy work, I will sometimes use parchment and other times I like disposables. You can use the disposables to melt the chocolate in a microwave, then just clip the tip off to use. So it's a good choice for that as well.

BTW - You can turn your featherweights wrong side out and wash them in the dishwasher. I usually will try to put them over a glass to keep them open, but even if they don't stay there or if you just lay them in there, it gets the greasy stuff off. When they come out of the DW, I rinse them thoroughly with hot water, turn them right side out, then drape them over a clean glass to dry.

HTH

LadyMike

I started out using parchment, I do like them but don't like to have to make them...lazy me I guess.

I have used featherweight for 12 years, until just recently, I have tried using the disposables because of the ease with two kids, a hubby and 163lb dog...I just don't want one more thing to clean.
I do have to say I hate that I still need to get messy anyways just to get my coupler out of the disposables. So I personally think FEATHERWEIGHT is the way to go. The disposables are only taking one step out of the entire process and the cleaning is really not a big deal, I have even placed my featherweights in the diswasher inside out over the rungs in the diswasher...I am sure you are not suppose to do that but it works...anything to make life a little easier right?

I use disposables. I just got the icer tip though, and I have a 16in featherweight for that.

I use featherweight and disposable. I do not mind the clean up for featherweight as I just empty rinse with hot water and place in a bowl with warm water and Dawn detergent. I do the same thing with disposables and reuse until they wear out. I don't like making the parchments, and the way they breakdown. I prefer the featherweight as they are easier (for me) to work with.

I prefer the disposable just for the cleanup. I will use parchment for so amounts.

I can't even approach folding a parchment bag! Mine look more like a feeble attempt at making an origami something-or-other.

I use featherweights for most things as I don't find them too bad for cleaning.

I use disposables for color flow and royal icing because I don't want to run the risk of using a bag that's previously had buttercream in it, thereby getting grease in those icings, ruining them. So a fresh disposable is my usual choice for those icings. I also have an 18" disposable that I re-use with my big cake icer tip.

I have all three but usually use the disposables, like everyone already said-less to clean up

Thanks CC for NOT telling me I had replies!

I guess parchment is what I'm looking for as far as small detail work goes, which is why I was thinking of switching. I hate using a big 'ol disposable bag for just a small amount of icing, to do scroll work, KWIM? I'll stick with disposable bags for most things though...but I do agree with whoever said they were a mess when trying to get the coupler out! Now I just use a sharp knife and cut the bag around the top of the coupler and then squeeze the coupler out the bottom! Much easier and less messy! As always, you guys are so much help!

I like to use parchment paper. I just get the rolls of parchment paper and make my own. It is a lot cheaper. I also get to make my own size.

Wow this is like the movie groundhog day because we had this topic last week too. That's ok, I'm 100% disposable, wilton. Don't need to clean those big bags even if they have the saran wrap technique inside.

I use disposable - by the time I'm done with a cake I want the mess GONE a.s.a.p.

DISPOSABLE ONLY !! love it.. no need to wash, and no chance of breaking..

I like the big featherweight for icing the cake and disposables for decorating (now that I've learned to put a coupler on them). I really like the parchment bags for small detail work. Something about the way you hold them makes them much easier to control. I sat watching TV the other night and made up a whole box of the parchment bags and I LOVE having one handy without having to stop and make one up.

I use all three also. Featherweight for big jobs, disposable for candy melts, and parchment for everything else. I really like the parchment best. I also sit in front of the TV and fold them up once a week or so. I like to have about twenty or so pre folded and ready to go.

I use only disposables, I would love to learn how to make parchment bags, anyone can give clear instructions (pictures will help, I'm a visual learner), please!!!

I use disposable. I hate the parchment...I'm not use to holding them the wasy that's recommended...I like to be able to twist the tops of my disposables to keep the icing inside. I make a huge mess w/ parchment...which really sucks cause they are cheaper! I'd like to get one big featherweight for my large cake icing tip.

I use all three also. I cut the parchment triangles in half and make writers. If you fold the tops all the way down so the bag is rounded on top, it fits in the palm of your hand and makes writing a lot easier. I use them also if I need just a dot of icing for something. I sometimes use the disposables if I know I am going to be decorating again the next day and just leave the coupler in and put the whole bag in a ziplock bag and save it. The featherweights are my favorite for piping work with buttercream. I feel I have more control over the bag with them. When I do my clean up I have a 3 gallon plastic bucket I use. I turn all of the bags inside out, remove the coupler and toss them in the bucket. I then fill the bucket with very hot water and dish detergent. I stir them around a bit for maybe 1 min. then pour the water off and there is no icing left. I rinse them and stand them up to dry. The whole thing takes at the most 10 minutes.

Can't stand parchment...but use disposable for most things and featherweight for one color I have to use alot of.

I use parchment for small detail work, featherweights for basic icing, and disposables for all else. And when I make my mini cupcakes or muffins, I use a disposable bag for that too. Found that it is real easy to fill the liners with a bag, rather than with a spoon or spatula.

I use disposable too, and parchment for small detail or chocolate writing.