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Help with "The Mat"

post #1 of 42
12/14/11 at 1:20pm
Thread Starter 
Hi Everyone, I just purchased "The Mat" I used it on a cake for my mother's 79th birthday cake. What a trial I had. It took me 3/4 of an hour to roll out the fondant. The best workout I have had in a long time.lol. I am still feeling the effects of it 2 days later.
When I went to put the fondant on the cake it was stuck to the Mat on both sides. What a disaster!
Has anyone else had problems and if so how did they overcome them.
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post #2 of 42
12/14/11 at 1:30pm
I recently bought The Mat and have had the exact same problem.

It felt like I had been pushing at that fondant for hours! icon_biggrin.gif
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post #3 of 42
12/14/11 at 1:36pm
My first episode with The mat was the same...I did everything I was supposed to , I seasoned the mat, made sure it wasn't too greasy, not too dry.
After about 30 minutes of rolling and getting nowhere I ended up having to take the top layer off and rolling directly on the fondant, only to have it stick to the bottom mat.
VERY frustrated, I decided to give it 1 more shot, I used a different brand of fondant , it rolled out like a breeze and it just fell off the mat onto the cake smooth as glass. The easiest , best experience I have ever had with fondant.
So...I am blaming the fondant, I have since switched to Satin Ice and have had no sticking issues.
Might just be me though...
http://peace-love-cakes.blogspot.com/
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http://peace-love-cakes.blogspot.com/
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post #4 of 42
12/14/11 at 1:56pm
I'd be curious to know what brand of fondant everyone was using for their first try?
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post #5 of 42
12/14/11 at 1:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by All4Show

I'd be curious to know what brand of fondant everyone was using for their first try?


I was using Fondarific. I like the flavor but have had bad luck with it lately. Maybe a bad batch..maybe user error, not sure but I have had no issues at all with the Satin Ice.
http://peace-love-cakes.blogspot.com/
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http://peace-love-cakes.blogspot.com/
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post #6 of 42
12/14/11 at 3:18pm
Hi! I bought my Mat, maybe 7 months ago, and have used FondX and MMF, both work like a dream. I pretty much adore my Mat. Sweetwise has troubleshooting videos on youtube, pretty informative. Good luck! =)
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post #7 of 42
12/14/11 at 3:24pm
It took me several rounds with the mat. Seasoning the mat with shortening helps. You can do a super light dusting of corn starch if it's sticking but honestly my mat was tough until I had used it 3-4 times. For me what "seasoned" the mat was actually breaking it in.

I tried it with Duff's fondant and it was terrible. Wilton and Satin Ice were much easier to work with for me and like I said after a few uses it really got broken in. Once I had read that tip, I started just rolling out spair fondant for practice to get the mat really broken in.
Visit me at www.keeponcaking.com for tutorials and other cake stuff.
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Visit me at www.keeponcaking.com for tutorials and other cake stuff.
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post #8 of 42
12/14/11 at 3:49pm
I was plan on getting one, cause I've read so mandy great things about it. But I also saw on their site they use it with fondx, so maybe it is geared to use with that brand?
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post #9 of 42
12/14/11 at 5:06pm
I love my mat too! It took a couple of times to get it to be friendly though. I first used Satin Ice but haven't had the greatest luck lately with it so I am using Jennifer Dontz recipe. It requires a bit of work but the taste is so worth it.
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6
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"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6
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post #10 of 42
12/14/11 at 6:23pm
i watched the video they had and didn't have any problems! yes, there is slight sticking when you flip The Mat over but that's to help you move your piece around and get it on the cake in the right spot...i'm gonna go look for the link to the video
It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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post #11 of 42
12/14/11 at 6:25pm
here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu6QpimDDDQ

yes, it's kind of long...she does it FFW first and then explains...it's very informative and I'm really glad I had watched it before I used it!
It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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It's not "just" cake...it's my life!
WI State Representative for Icing Smiles...start 'Baking a Difference" today!
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post #12 of 42
12/14/11 at 6:52pm
Love it have only used Wilton's (I add vanilla extract to it) fondant in it and have had no problems with it.
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post #13 of 42
12/20/11 at 9:08am
I love mine! Have used with the Fondx and with Satin Ice, no problems with either. Fell in love the very first attempt
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post #14 of 42
12/21/11 at 1:51pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Quote:

I'd be curious to know what brand of fondant everyone was using for their first try?


I used a cake decorator's stores brand. They make it there at the store. I did get in contact with "Sweetwise" and they told me to use Fondex. I told them that where I live in Australia I haven't come across the product Fondex. I can purchase Satin Ice & Regalice here so I am going to give them a go.

I am sorry I haven't got back on this forum for a while as I didn't think anyone had replied to the posting. I had ticked the box for email updates but to no avail.[/quote]
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post #15 of 42
1/13/12 at 6:04pm
I recently got The Mat. The first time I used it, I broke my rolling pin! It does get easier, as you break it in, and it was a great excuse to get a marble rolling pin ; )
www.embroiderywithren.blogspot.com
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www.embroiderywithren.blogspot.com
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