Hi

I am new to the site and I have been hooked reading all the great info. Now I am would like to start getting the real stuff that the professionals use. Yesterday I went to NY Cake there is so much to choose from I hardly knew where to start. My wish list consists of the ML PANS, Alteco tips, Agbay,Airbrush Machine( which one?). Can you recommend a good turntable and other supplies that I should get.I have been baking since I was kid so I have the the basic stuff measuring cups spoons, random pans, icing tips rolling pins etc. ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OR SHOPPING GUIDE/LIST WOULD BE  GREATLY APPRECIATED. Thanks to all, I am learning so much just reading as much as I  can. I maybe addicted. lol

If you get a KitchenAid mixer, Magic Line or Fat Daddio;s cake pans, and an AGBAY leveler - you have pretty much all you'll need for success.

Thanks Denise I have a kitchen aid could not live without it. The Agbay blew my mind....

AMagic Lines pans definitely. Agbay yes, yes, yes. There are better mixers than KAs, but they'll do to start.

Thanks Leah, there are so many turntables to choose from, I actually returned one I bought, what should I look for?

BTW Leah tomorrow I am off to Home Depot for my ceramic tile. Thanks for the tips.

I have the cast base fat daddio's turn table and LOVE IT.  I also have 3 KA's and a really snazzy 8qrt mixer from Germany. I can't remember the make but it rocks my socks off...lol.  I love my browne piping bags as well.  The bigger the better! I don't use a leveler so my 16" cake knife is my buddy.  I got a pricey good one and it cuts cake like it is butter.  I use my airbrush all the time and wish I would have bought a better quality one with a couple of different hand pieces.. I hate stopping my project to clean it out if I am switching to a lighter color or something. happy Shopping!!

I love my turn table from Ikea. http://www .ikea. com/us/en/catalog/products/90074483/

I'm sure there's better options but it's great for large cakes. And cheap too!

AI picked up a used Ateco turntable. You just want something with a heavy base. If it doesn't turn freely, pull the plate and spindle off and glean out the hole. Then spray the spindle with Pam and reinsert. I don't think brand names are too important with turntables, as long as its NOT W!

**Majic Line pans! or Fat Daddios. Stainless steel. Can be thrown in the dish washer, which I like, and do not stain/turn dark like wilton, Also the pans are uniform and straight sided unlike the Wilton 9" round that yeilds cakes that must be trimmed.

**I also stopped using the cake core. 9.00 each! and the rusting flower nails! a stainless steel round cookie/biscuit cutter works just as well and no fiddling with a core to trim and insert

Alot of the wilton items rust.

Ateco-anything = good

Bakery Craft- tips are stainless

I also love the Matt from Sweetwise, some don't like it, but before I started using it I hated doing fondant cakes. Just follow directions.

Thanks Bday is in August, guess what I will be asking for. I can't wait.
 

Another thing to think of - which I find essential and still have not mastered is storage- storage that makes sense not only in harnessing the growing boxes of equipment and supplies, but access- spending time looking for things is quite aggravating!  I have seen such cool ideas for storage- 

thimble holders for tips, a curtain rod or paper towel holder for ribbon - clear canisters to hold cupcake wrappers, rolling carts with draws for tools, a fold up satchel type thing for paint brushes and ball tools etc.- to name a few

Some things I have found essential-

At least 2 of each pan size-saves so much time!

a self-healing cutting mat- they come in all sizes,

shelf liner- I use this a lot, under the mats, even The Mat from Sweetwise, under cake boards , for delivery.

Folders with pictures, template, recipes- I try to make my templates from card stock

Quilting rulers- they are clear- which is excellent!!-  and various sized rulers I use to cut different sized strips

The ribbon cutter from FMM

racks to cool cakes- 3 seems to be working well for me- I also hang flowers/bows on them to dry

floral wire/tape

red/black fondant and buttercream on hand- even if you make your own- these are almost impossible to make quickly or dark enough

Viva paper towels

the silver bench scraper that does not have nubs on the ends to smooth buttercream

a cake lifter- I have two- Wilton and Norco I use them all the time

molds- molds make a lot of things easier- impression mats too- I usually find them on sale for a dollar or two at the crafts stores- its great to stock up, you never know when you will need/use them

This is just a small list of the things I have found essential- there are so many more I would like to have and I know I'm probably for getting to mention many as well-

So you can see why I am having an issue with storage

Mo

Not all Wilton items are crap.  I vastly prefer Wilton tips over Ateco.  And while I have several Fat Daddio turntables, for cakes 12" or under, I usually reach for my trusty little Wilton turntable with the green silicone ring on it.  The Ikea turntable mentioned earlier in this post is great for larger cakes.

However, Magic Line pans and an Agbay are a must!

AI do still use my Wilton tips and my small wire leveler that I've had for a bazillion years. Trade in your bakeware for sure, and if you're still using the large Wilton leveler then invest in an Agbay.

Annie, I am glad you say you like your small wire leveler since so many people seem to hate it.  I get that an Agbay is fabulous but as a hobby baker, it just isn't needed cost wise or storage wise.  I don't need to level often since mine bake pretty flat, but I just made 5 grad cakes and that little wire jobby sure works good for me.

Yep!  I have the old OLD version which is just metal with tiny wire rubber caps on the ends (those fell off a long time ago).  I think the newer version is "fancier" and it might have some design issues which cause people problems.  I will hang on to mine as long as I can.  My cakes are generally two layers so I don't need something super fancy, but I would love an Agbay someday!

So that is why some don't like it...different model.  I just have the simple one with the wire.