i just opened a tube of wilton's premade chocolate icing. i only used a tiny bit, how long is it good for after it's opened, does anyone know. also, should i refrigerate it after it's opened?
There's no expiration date and the tube says "DO NOT Refrigerate" it gives no instructions for after you've opened it
I just went to a Wilton training seminar and this very question was asked. The only answer we got was: "They have a VERY long shelf life". I think that there are so many perservatives in them, they can last a long time. I don't think you're supposed to refrigerate them. I know I've kept them for a few months and they still seem fine.
I've used an unopened one that was at least 3 years old--I put it in warm water before opening and then kneaded it and shook it. It was just fine. After opening, I would think if kept airtight, shelf life would be quite long, too.
I've had the impression that these are essentially royal icing with preservatives and/or piping gel added, so I wouldn't think that refrigeration would ever be an issue.
Just my .02
Rae
I have stored them in the fridge and they were fine. I let them come to room temp before I use them again and roll/kneed them really well to mix them (they do separate). I only keep them for about 3 weeks after I open them though. I was never really sure about shelf life after they were opened, so I just did that as a precaution. Figured better safe than sorry 
I refrigerate mine too even though I read not to. I figured it would last longer and taste better. I left some out that I had opened and they didn't taste very good when I went to use them a couple weeks later. As long as you let them come back to room temp, they're fine after being refrigerated.
One thing I like to do with the tube icings is micro them for a few secs uncapped just until very warm. Then I replace the cap and knead the tube. The icing just flows out of them and fills in an outlined design kind of like color flow. It sets back up as soon as it cools.
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