What kind of clay extruder would you buy...hand squeezing one or top twisting? I can see pros and cons to both types. The Hand squeezing one allows you to have your other hand free so you can place the fondant while it come out. The one that twist at the top seems smaller and may not hold enough fondant or GP. Would love anyone opppinons
Thanks

Actually, I have and use both types. I can't say there are really big differences in them except being able to have your one hand free with the squeeze one. My twist top one holds more gumpaste than the squeeze one but I have never had an issue with the squeeze one not holding enough GP for whatever I am using it for. The squeeze one is easier to take apart and clean. HTH.

I use the squeeze handle one and love it.

For me, the Makins (green) type twist extruder is much easier to use. I've just started using them on fondant, have been a polymer clay artist for 20+ years and I HATE the push type. I actually have retrofitted a caulking gun to push the plunger for me. Much easier on my hands. There is also a much larger new trigger type gun available now with a wide variety of shape plates.

I have the squeeze handle one, but haven't used it yet.
One question though: Do you have to put Crisco or something on the sides so it doesn't stick?

You need to mix some crisco in with either type of clay gun.

I have tried the little silver plunger one, and there is just no way that i can use this, it was a waste of $$ good thing it wasn't too expensive, my hands just can't take it.

Then i saw the green makin one in action and bought that, it works wonderfully and i'm not at all sorry i spent the money on it.

Which green Makin one? I know there are several models out there.

I just bought the Makins Ultimate Clay Extruder and hope to try it out this weekend. I have heard good things about it ... and I got it for 40% off at Hobby Lobby with a coupon!

The one that divaessence bought is the "right" one. It's such a great price if you live near a Hobby Lobby. They don't have those out here and Michael's/Joann don't carry it anymore, so I had to buy mine online .

For those who use the squeeze handle, are you talking about a clay extruder or the su*gar*craft fondant gun? I haven't seen a squeeze handle clay extruder but then again I might be looking in the wrong places . I like my Makin's twist-top just fine but occasionally I have wished for a squeeze handle, like if you are trying to do some kind of rope border. It can be challenging to make a giant fondant rope and then try to get it on the cake w/o stretching it to oblivion. Still, I've heard that the squeeze handle (the sugar gun; I don't know about the clay gun version) can be hard on the hands.

What is a clay extruder, what is it used for?

It's basically a tube with a plunger for making long uniform snakes of fondant or gumpaste. Originally intended for use with polymer or ceramic clay, most are made of stainless steel so they work wonderful with fondant/gp. Much easier to get those thin spaghetti like strands this way than rolling them by hand or cutting from a flat sheet. And they come with an assortment of discs in different sizes and shapes so they can be very versatile.

I use the Makin's (green one) as well. I love it. What I do is twist the handle for a while until I get a bunch of extra rope out. And then I get somehing that is the same level as the cake that I'm working on, and I set the clay extruder on that. So that the rope is never dangling and streching. Hope this makes sense.

Further to what badkitty said, an extruder is practically a necessity if you want to make realistic "hair" for fondant/gp figures like this http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1300279&sub=1350339. I also use it to make ropes with which I can do decorative fondant lettering .

The green Makins T top we're talking about comes with 20 discs with holes of varying diameters so that you can extrude fondant as thin as "hair" to about as fat as a pencil. As badkitty mentioned, it also has some different shapes such as a hexagon, etc. It's the second Makins extruder on left of this page http://www.polyclayplay.com/Products/Extruder/ProdClayGun.htm.

It retails for about $29 but if you have a Hobby Lobby nearby, it's only $17.50 plus tax with the coupon. If you don't have a HL in your region, the above place had the best price I could find once shipping was factored in.

Happy extruding!