Quite simply, which purchase has been your biggest regret (ie it didn't do what it said, didn't work as well as you hoped, or you just never used it) and which do you love the most and couldn't do without?
I was wondering this today after using one of those cupcake corers. I used that on one, then a knife on another, and actually preferred the result with a knife
Worst: I would say it's a tie between the cricut cake (used it twice, hated it) and any of the countless wilton kits I bought when I first started decorating cakes (i.e. the interchangeable ribbon cutter, gumpaste letter molding kits, etc.) all were bulky, and not worth the energy of investment.
Best: this is tough, buying multiples of various shaped pans was a great investment that saved me a lot of time, and silicone molds. Although they are pricey, but every time I make the investment in one I love the results. Other than that, nothing beats a brand new exact-o blade
For right now anyway, my worst is the electronic cutter I bought for gumpaste.. I'm sure it will be worth it once I can get it to work right and not just tear up the paste.
Best... oh my... think I'll start with my Fat Daddio mat - love that thing with fondant!! The only thing I've found that sticks to it is Fondarific, why I don't know. I just use a different mat if I'm using that brand.
Best would be my Agbay cake leveler and my KitchenAid mixer. Worse would be Wilton Character pans because once you base coat them you can't find the design again (I know, I know, you need to decorate them with a star tip) and also the worse was a $1,000 decision to purchase an Anvil Mixer. Used it twice. So what's my problem? The mixer is perfect - great invention, I just can't get use to a mixer without a tiltup head. It sits in my livingroom and I dust it off periodically and shake my head.
Best would be the Agbay and the Wilton ribbon marker thingy that looks like a ruler with the little slider things on it. I use that to mark the top of the tiers to level them. Worst is the random Wilton junk that looks so useful but really isn't, plus the cricut. I guess it's the same for many of us, which says something.
Oh, and another worst is the Ateco gumpaste modelling tool set with the handles that are blue. I broke the ball tool the first time I used it, and they just keep breaking.
Worst - Wilton serrated leveler. Fondant mat (don't remember brand but I have stopped using it. Kept shifting all over and nothing could tape it down). Badly soldiered cake pans!!!
Best - Wilton turntable ultra, bench scraper & a new type of leveller that is like a fine thread.
Eeek, my friend in the states has just just been treated to the cricut by her husband, I won't tell her to read this thread!
Great to hear what you like and more importantly don't, hopefully it'll save others finding out the hard way
The worst products are ones I started with from craft stores. it is so heart breaking to pipe final touches on a cake and have the bag break. Favorite is a good decorating bag, any and all sizes.
Worst is a cakepop baller. I don't know the name of it. It's purple though. 90% of the time the thing just tears the cake up rather than ball it. Even if it does work properly (and sometimes it does) it still doesn't save me any time. I'll stick with a trigger release scooper and my hands. 100% reliable.
Best? My diamond impression mat. I love the look of quilted cakes, but I can not free-hand that design to save my life.
I met someone locally who is doing gangbusters with cake balls, and uses the roller. She said it took some doing, but now uses it exclusively. I'd love to try one. Anyone selling one cheap and writing off the loss? !
Worst--wilton cake leveller
Best--New Wilton flower set
cakeyouverymuch, I have been really pleased with my OLD Wilton flower set. I still use many of the cutters on a regular basis. Would it be worth it for me to buy the NEW set in addition?
Thanks!
Best - Agbay leveler and Fat Daddios Fat Daddio's Cake Decorating Turntable with Cast Iron Base
Worst - Wilton leveler, and jem lace cutters
That wilton leveller with the serrated edge is the worst. I officially dumped it in the bin today. Never to see again. It has ruined many cakes with very uneven levelling. Spent too much time after building up icing on one side to make the top level. Was a real nightmare. It should be taken off the market.
Best:
Agbay double bladed leveler
Magic lines pans
True convection oven ( I can bake on all 3 racks perfectly!!)
Sugar shack's DVDs
A second bowl for my kitchen aid mixer
Worst:
Wilton leveler
Satin ice fondant
cheap ball tolls
My worst purchase: I don't even remember what the thing was called lol it's made by Wilton, it looks like a cross between a garlic press and a play-doh toy tbh! lol It's fondant gumpaste and sugar paste and its horrible. when you squeeze the fondant or whatever through it cracks the fondant. I bought it hoping it would work for making a tassel for the grad cake i made last month.
My best purchase: Was my fondant mat, don't remember brand name but its the vinyl one where you dont have to use cornstarch or shortening or anything on it. and also my Duff gumpaste tool set.
Best Purchase: Lustre Spray by PME sugar craft is one of my favorite products because it takes cakes from "something is missing" to "it is finished"
Worst Purchase: Fat Daddos Dual Action Airbrush sprayer. The black end of the sprayer fell off (needs to be taped on now) wthin the first 3 uses. I am sure to clean it very well and it always seems to be plugged.
Best: toss up between my KA mixer and my Magic Line pans. It's a tough call lol, they are both so precious and necessary to me.
Worst: Wilton leveler. I had to bake another layer after I trusted the leveler and it tore my cake apart.
I really hate to hear all the bad comments about the Cricut Cake! I love mine, although I do use mine with SCAL. I would think very differently if I had to use those cartridges. I just ordered William Sonoma's 7 quart KitchenAid "prosumer" mixer. I really hope it becomes my new favorite thing!
The worst thing I bought was my first airbrush, the Tester Aztek airbrush. Oh, it was SO bad!!
I too like my cricut cake. In fact, this weekend's cake has some lettering cut from it.
Worst: Wilton bladed cake leveler. It will be officially going in the trash when my Agbay is delivered on Tuesday.
Best: Since I don't yet have posession of my Agbay, I'll say the KA mixers - 4.5 qt and 5 qt. I also like The Mat from Sweetwise.
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