As person who spend so many years in printing I would say that Canon printers are an excellent choice . They have thermal printed head , comparing with Epson Piezzo Electric impulse head . Japanese technology is superior in printing world ( Rolland ,Mimaki , Mutoh ,Canon , Epson ,etc..)
Since you guys are not using those machines for intended inks Canon is best for several reasons .
1. Low Cost
2. High Print Quality
3. Excellent Print Driver
4. Color Manipulation
5 Canon Quality Thermal Print Head
6. Layout printing software
If you ever take a look into genuine Canon design you'll find same sponge inside cartridges . This sponge will not only elevate pressure and ink balance , it will also hold much more ink than empty container ( please make test with your paper towel and you'll know what I'm talking about ,after all you ladies should now that better than anyone ) . In same time there is another sponge at bottom to filter inks acting as protector ( damper ) from larger particles to avoid clogging ( not visible with naked eye ) ..Inks will disperse with heat electronically generated inside print head ..Print head will never touch any SHEET , PAPER OR ICING when printing .
All that said is only to understand way this machine work , it is not designed to be used for inks without dampers ( sponges) ... now if you tell me that you didn't have any problems with nozzles ( clogging ) I'll find this hard to believe . I'm sure Canon would pay a lot to learn that their design suck .
Best way to use this printers with edible inks would be print head modification . In our industry we use special liquid coatings , not sure if anyone using it in your type of printing .
Hope this helped a little , I really don't want to argue or discus any more , since this look like Ford guys against Chevy fans ......