Hello All!

I have seen reference to the use of a clay gun to make fondant ropes, strings, etc. Those of you that have them, how easy are they to use? Are they worth purchasing? Which models do you recommend?

Some come with multiple dics, are they of any use?

As you may have guessed I am considering getting one but only if it will be of use. Any and all feedback would be appreciated!

Thanks!

I have a couple different ones. I started with the cheap green plastic one from the clay section at Michael's. It works fine and has different disks with it. The only problem is when making long or many strands - it's murder on the hand trying to push the plunger down to get the fondant out. I purchased the one recommended by Earlene that's a little more expensive but comes with a squeeze trigger that pushes the fondant out more easily but it doesn't hold nearly enough fondant and opening it to add more isn't very easy without cutting what's already been extruded. I then purchased the adapter from Earlene that's supposed to work with the Wilton cookie press. I had to purchase the cookie press also. It doesn't work at all for me. The press won't push the fondant out even when thinning it a lot and what little bit of fondant does manage to escape comes out between the disk and the adapter instead of through it. I'd stick with the cheap little green one!

Good Luck! If you find something else that works - let me know! I'm thinking of having a pvc pipe threaded to fit a calk gun and using the adapter that way to see if it will work.

Debbie

Doesn't PVC have many uses.

Yes it does! And i'm finding more and more uses for it as I go along! I'm always having my husband pick things up for me at Home Depot!

Debbie

I was looking at this one however since I know absolutely nothing abut them I wasn't sure what to look for or what would be good or useless for that matter.

Any ideas?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/New-Loew-Cornell-Clay-Gun-with-19-Design-Discs_W0QQitemZ8216308312QQcategoryZ28124QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

tripletmom ~ that's the same one as my green plastic one only mine is plastic. It's fine for short runs and hair, etc. but hard on the hands when doing long runs. That's the one of mine that gets the most use though!

Debbie

I have the green plastic one (about $4 from Michaels) and the squeeze trigger one (Sugarcraft.com about $23).

I find that I cannot get either to work well with MMF. It seems to crack and break very easily once pushed through. When using pre-made fondant (Wilton's or Pettinice), running through small bits at a time and adding to it before cutting it off seems to work pretty well.

As the previous posters have said, the issues are hand discomfort and not being able to get a whole lot out of it. I usually resort to hand rolling long ropes and creatively piecing them together.

I've been wondering if anybody has ever tried using play-doh extruders. Some of them have really cool shapes, but don't know if they would hold up to the stiffness of fondant.

Ali

Play-doh ones aren't stong enough. I tried but I do use a clay gun quite a lot and don't have too many problems with it

I've used my son's old play dough extruder just to try it out. Like MissBaritone said - they're not very strong. You can use the cutters, etc on fondant though.

Debbie

I bought the expensive one from Sugarcraft, but I'm having great difficulty using it. You can hardly put enough fondant in to be effective. Oh well!

BrittBB - that's the one I bought. What a let down!
And it came recommended by so many.
Debbie