Hi to all my fellow Aussie decorators out there!

I'm wondering if you can help me with a quick question... I've always used Orchard Icing fondant, but am starting to wonder if I'd be better off using something else. Most of the time I find Orchard does the job, but it does tear very easily when covering extended tiers, for example. Orchard is the only brand available locally to me, so I guess I'd like to know if it would be worth paying the shipping to get another brand? And how the brands available here compare?

TIA

Where exactly are you located?

I've never used Orchard icing. I prefer to use FondX or Bakels. I find FondX to be much softer and easier on my wrists, but prefer the Bakels for added stability. I sometimes mix the two to get the best of both worlds (if I was doing extended tiers I would definately do this)

FondX also comes in a resealable bucket which keeps it fresher than the Bakels.

How much are you getting your Orchard for? I buy FondX for $35 for 5 litre bucket and last time I checked I was geting Bakels for around $43 for 7kg but i think it may have gone up in price since then....

Like laurenboxall I use Fondx.. I think I get mine through sweetinspirations.com.au and it is usually for $35, however, shipping is added on top of that for about $20 where I live.. so I usually by a couple of 5kg buckets or more at a time to make it worth it. I've googled my heart out to try and find it cheaper It is great to work with though.. I add tylose to it if I want to make figurines or put it through the cricut so it is firmer. It tastes divine too. HTH

i use orchard too, i find its ok and its pretty cheap, i only buy the 500g packets because i dont do many orders

I've been buying Orchard fondant in 500g packets for $4.15 from the local supermarket, because that's all I can get here in Tasmania. Which is about $58 per 7kg. It's getting a bit ridiculous - every time I buy it I tell myself I really must look into getting some in bulk. I have to wonder if I could be getting a better product, in bulk, shipped for that same cost. I would also love something that doesn't tear as easily, if there is such a thing - never having used anything but Orchard I have nothing to compare it too. .

I use Bakels and buy it though my local Cake Decorating Association, so I get a great rate. I did buy it directly from the manufacturer (and would go and pick it up), but this is the same price and someone else has already done the running around for me.
A lot of cake decorating shops will sell it too.
I have just recently bought a small bucket of Satin Ice to try out, because it can be refrigerated apparently (v. important in QLD heat!).
It might be worth your while to go onto the Bakels website, because they may have a rep that covers Tassie.
I'm not sure if you know about Planet Cake Tea Party, it is a forum with mainly Aussies on it, I know there are some ladies from Tassie on there - it could be another source of information for you?
HTH

For those of you outside of WA - click on this Bakels link (if you wish to use Bakels Fondant)

http://www.bakels.com.au/Product_Listing_2010.pdf

Phone them and ask where your nearest Bakels Wholesaler is.
Even if you don't have an ABN - you can 99% of the time buy it from a Food Wholesaler at whole sale prices.
or
Look up your yellow pages/Google for your nearest Wholesale Food Distributors and ask them if they sell it.

Over here i get the 7kilo box

I only use the White and Ivory Bakels and if i wish to use a bright colour i (Black or Red) use Regalice...

If you are on the East Coast you can get that from
http://www.cakesaroundtown.com.au/catalog/regal-coloured-sugar-fondant-c-1_153_189.html?osCsid=f568aaefe0d70c5e80b7a75a745ac374

If you are on the West Coast
http://www.champagnecakes.com.au/icing-page-1.html

Hope some of this helps


Blue


LOLLL - ETA: i typed 71 kilo box instead of 7 kilo - gulp.

Yep, like most others, i use Bakels - i just buy it locally as im only a hobby caker but i also use it for my models.

Thanks all for you helpful suggestions! I'm thinking now I'll give Bakels a try. I do like that other brands come in a resealable bucket though - sounds like it'd be much easier to store that way.

Just a snippet of info -
If you do buy the box of Bakels - you can cut it up - wrap in quantities to suit you and pop it in the freezer

Make sure you wrap well in glad wrap and then either pop it in a freezer bag or zip lock bag - it will be as good as new when you thaw it out.

Bluehue.

Your welcome.

I just take out what i need the night before - leave it on the counter overnight (still completly wrapped) - by morning - i am ready to go.


Bluehue

Bakels Australia
TASMANIA
1 Evans Street,
Hobart 7000
Tel: (03) 6230-1400
Fax: (03) 6234-8525

Melbourne:
http://www.cakedeco.com.au/

Adelaide:
http://www.completecakedec.com.au/

Okay, so I'm doing a happy dance right now...

I decided to go ahead and order a 7kg box of Bakels, searched online and found that the cheapest I could find it (inc freight) was about AU$66 - that's more expensive than the same quantity of Orchard from the supermarket. Anyway I decided to go ahead and order anyway in the hope that it'll be a better product... so I fill out all my details, but just before I hit 'order' I remember a hotel supply place in TAS that sells kitchenware. Hmm, I'm thinking it would be a long shot, but it might save me some freight, so I ring them and am happy to discover that yes, they do stock it...and it's only going to cost me AU$45 delivered!! So I'm pretty happy to have saved myself $21 - don't you love it when you find something cheaper than you expected somewhere!?

I LOVE Bakels but just recently tried Satin Ice as all the "Big" decorators seem to use it but I hated it! I think it's just too soft and sticky for the climate here in Sydney. This thread is really old now but I would love to know what you thought of the Bakels compared to Orchard. I was advised by many people to steer clear of the bulk Orchard product as it has a nasty taste in comparison. Hope it went well for you Tia