AHola bakers :)

I've been considering buying the mat. I see that they've come out with a new mat that has measurements and other things. ;) has anyone else tried this mat, is it easier to use than the older one? I know some people have had some varying results with the mat and wondering if I should get it?

Thanks in advance. :)

My SIL ordered me the mat for christmas this past year.  The ad looked like she'd be ordering the one with the measurements and weights of fondant needed...however I was VERY disappointed when I opened my mat to find no markings on it.  THEN, because I can make some really idiotic decisions, I opened it and used it...instead of just sending it back.  So I couldn't return it.

Anyway, it says it takes a few times to break it in.  I have only used it twice, I think.  The first time I used it was with MMF (which I don't normally use) and it stuck all over and didn't release itself as it claimed to do, and I was quite frustrated with the whole thing.  I think I might have actually cried.

The second use was a little easier going, but still found it cumbersome to hold it taught and start peeling it off and waiting for it to peel itself.  BUT I do like that when rolling out large pieces of fondant, it keeps it from drying out and you can take a break and come back to it.  I never did get it as thin as they say either...probably because there were no measurements and weights on it to guide me.

I don't know if I'd buy it again, given the chance.  I REALLY wish it came with the markings and, even more, I really wish I hadn't used it and just sent it back - pretty sure I would have went ahead and ordered the correct one.  I think I am going to put my own measurements on it with a weight chart.
 

The only thing I use the mat for is mess control.  I roll my fondants and gumpaste out on it to contain the powdered sugar/corn starch mess.  I never had any luck using it for its intended purpose.

I just got the new mat with the markings on it.  It is the only mat I've used beside the Wilton one so I have nothing to compare it to. That being said, I LOVE it!! It has markings for square and round cakes and how much fondant to weigh out to use for each layer. It made my job so much easier than trying to position and not mess it up. 

I have the new Mat and I love it!  I had the older version and never bothered to watch the video or read the instructions so I was doing it all wrong.  I now use the old ones to cover my work surface and to cut on so they're basically destroyed.  Make sure you watch the video and season well!

P.S.:  I love that it tells you how much fondant to use for each tier size, round and square.  I just get out my scale and pull out the amount that it tells me to.  That way, you get the perfect thickness with little waste, especially if you color your own.

I have been using the old mat and love it.  I recently got the new mat with the markings and love it even more...didn't think that was possible.  The markings are nice, no longer need to pull out a measuring tape but even better is that it is softer, more flexible than the old one.  This makes it easier to use even with the first use out of the box.  Love, love, love it!
 

AI've had the opposite experience. I have been using the blue silicone mat successfully for years (Sharon z's suggestion) but when I saw the new Mat with the markings, and watched the how to videos, I was sold. I have three kids who I cake around all day,and the thought of the top sheet to seal it all in was a real bonus. I make a homemade (not MMF) fondant, and it's always worked perfectly for me on the blue mat. On The Mat, first,it takes much more arm strength to roll out. Secondly, it sticks. To BOTH sheets. I contacted to company to see if I was doing anything wrong and they suggested adding more PS to my fondant recipe. So I tried that. Still sticks like glue. I lost a lot of fondant and shed many tears over messed up crumb coating on several attempts before throwing in the towel and just going back to my blue mat. In related news, I have a pro size Mat I'm trying to sell. ;)

DebbyJG, you make a good point.  I have found not all fondant works well on the mat.  For me the MMF is too soft and I didn't have luck with the fondarific.  I now make MFF and have no problem with it at all.  Initially I used Wilton which works well on the mat but I like the taste of MFF better so it is all I have used lately.  Before you get rid of the mat you might want to try another type of fondant.  It really is nice not to have to add ps or cornstarch and keeps things cleaner.
 

AWell, that's the thing, I have a homemade fondant (as I said, NOT an MMF, but a regular fondant that is all natural and doesn't have the hydrogenated sludge). Its been so well received that I sell it successfully on etsy and has become such a part of my business, that I don't want to change my business just for the sake of using a different product.

I can't keep adding more ps to it just so I can use the Mat. So I like the idea of it, but their claim that "it works great with every fondant" didn't hold true for me.

AThanks for all the info everyone. :) now about MMF sticking to the mat. I make MMF using Liz Marek's recipe which mixes Wilton fondant for stability like premade while still having that MMF taste ;) has anybody used this recipe on the mat? Do you think it'll work

I have only used Satin Ice on my mat.  I seasoned it before using the first time and have never had any trouble with the fondant sticking.  I love my mat.

AOne of their selling points on the new mat was that it didnt need seasoned before use like the older one. After my first unsuccessful use though (and several other attempts) I did do the seasoning they suggested for the older one. If anything, the more times I used it, the stickier it got.

Just not for me I guess. Plus I really didnt like how much more arm strength it took me to roll out fondant with that top sheet with it. I would have never thought that would be an issue, but it really was.