I bought a 50lb block of shortening from GFS. Tonight when I went to use it for the first time I noticed it is not creamy at all. I couldn't get it to cream smooth at all. It is very chunky and kind of flaky. I thought about warming it some thinking that would help, but wasn't sure. Since I have this huge amount of shortening I need to figure out something... Any help is much appreciated!

What type and brand of shortening did you buy (GFS has all kinds, but Sweetex had to be special ordered).

It was their brand, I didn't realize they had other options...

GFS sells Sweetex

Well I can't return what I have probably since I opened it and have taken some out, any ideas on how to make it work...

I saw on here that they carry it so I called and got a price. I sent my hubby to pick it up. He went in and told the guy he was looking for solid shortening. He said they only carry one kind in the store and this is what he gave him. He asked him if it the same as regular shortening and he said yes... I think he may have been wrong, not sure if I can use this and now I have 50lbs of it!

Tried to post image of the label, but it's not working...

Alrighty then.....

Looked up shortening on GFS website and all that came up was GFS creamy liquid fry shortening:

http://www.gfs.com/en/search/searchResults.page?QueryTerm=shortening

Is that what the box says?

HTH

P.S. Attachment to post software isn't working right now.

No, it's definitely solid... I uploaded the image to my photos, can you take a look there? It says "fryer shortening" but they had liquid and then this solid...

It might be solid at room temperature but it's definitely a liquid clear fry shortening..

Here's the basic preparation info: Economy shortening for deep frying potatoes, chicken, fish, onion rings.

Merchandising idea: An economical shortening that is easy to filter cold.
Life is shorter than creamy shortening.

http://kedc.net/bidding/NutritionalInformation/838179.pdf

Looks like you can make a lot of funnel cakes or elephant ears with 35# of fryer shortening!

Nice... So I guess I have to call and see if I can order the right stuff...

I was just at GFS today and inquired about ordering Sweetex and three different codes came up for a 50# cube! I wasn't sure which one to order, so I was interested to read your post. GFS is usually very good about returning something if it was not what you wanted, especially if you were given wrong information. It would be worth checking into.

The manager gave me a print out of what they could order and the item #'s. I think the one I want is Item #9118210 50# Sweetex Cube Shortening 35031, but the others listed were Item #9455730 50 lb Sweetex shortening Z No Sat-982 and Item #9805770 50# shortng Sweetex YLW CBE 35033.

Can someone confirm if the one I think I want is correct? It's a great price, but not if it can't be used to make frosting!

I am definitely going to call and ask... and I would be interested in knowing the correct item to order as well

It's highly likely that the Z is trans fat free. (would not be my choice)

Sweetex 35031 is icing/cake/sweet dough shortening with trans fat:

http://www.oasisupply.com/Products/MoreInfo.asp?ProductID=1~CAN+SWTX

http://www.foodservicedirect.com/product.cfm/p/11047/Sweetex-Shortening-50-Pound.htm

SweetexZ 982 is icing/cake/sweet dough shortening with ZERO trans fat:

http://www.stratasfoods.com/docs/pdf/SweetexZSheet.pdf

Sweetex Golden 35033 is icing/cake/sweet dough/filling shortening:
(This is a butter flavored yellow/golden shortening so probably not so good for white icing. Think hi-ratio Crisco yellow butter flavored sticks.)

http://www.roundeyesupply.com/Stratas-Foods-Golden-Sweetex-Shortening-50-Lb-p/de352458.htm

HTH

Thanks for clarifying! The Sweetex 35031 is only $91.99 at GFS!

The GFS by me keeps it on the shelves all the time. I guess it depends on where you live.

Jan is correct. I'm looking at the GFS sticker on my Sweetex shortening for cakes, icings & sweet doughs: item # 911821

I always save the tag for easy re-ordering. I don't know why GFS makes this so difficult, but I am glad I can at least order it from them. Considering I'm just a hobby baker, I sure go through a lot of this stuff.