Who uses the bottles like these for decorating cookies? What are your thoughts vs using a piping bag? I always get so frustrated with piping bags as they end up messing everywhere (even using the clingwrap sausage thing method) but I dont want to buy a set of these if people dont think they're useful (money is tight and these are expensive here in SA so I need to buy wisely). Help! :) (also, if you used to use them, why'd you change?)
Hi Tails,
Bottles, definitely!
I recently bought 2 Bottles from My Dollar Store and I have to say I LOVE them. I'm thinking of investing in some smaller ones now and the ones with the tips. So much easier and less messy for doing cookies.
-Easier to fill and re-fill.
-They are just so much cleaner than the bags
I use them for chocolate because it's easy to just pop them in the microwave, but I haven't used them for royal. I don't see why they wouldn't work well though. I think it's easier to control the flow with them.
Karen
I use these but only to fill smaller areas because they have a smaller tip than the larger bottles. I still use piping bags to outline my cookies. I use the saran wrap "sausage" method too with no problems and it helps save the bags for later use. Are you wanting them to outline or fill? Maybe your consistency in the bags is too wet and that's what is causing the mess?? And yes, they come with those tips but the normal size tips that I already had fit as well.
I switched to bottles a couple of years ago and find them much easier. I find I have more control and details are easier. It feels almost like using a giant crayon or pencil. I use the larger ones for flooding and the smaller Wilton ones for piping.
The ones I use are not the really small ones in the photo in the earlier post; mine are a bit larger and I believe they are made for chocolate; they come in a set of 18 or so. They can be used with regular tips, although the threads are slightly off so they don't fit perfectly. Filling the larger ones for flooding is easy -- you just pour the icing in --but I have to say, getting the stiffer piping icing into the smaller bottles is a pain. I bought a big syringe-type thing at my cake supply store, and it works pretty well. It has a barrel that holds roughly the amount that the bottles do, and you can just put a large tip on the end and easily fill the bottles. (I have tried filling pastry bags using the plastic wrap method, and then "piping" the icing into the bottles, but I think the syringe is easier and neater.)
Good luck!
I use these but only to fill smaller areas because they have a smaller tip than the larger bottles. I still use piping bags to outline my cookies. I use the saran wrap "sausage" method too with no problems and it helps save the bags for later use. Are you wanting them to outline or fill? Maybe your consistency in the bags is too wet and that's what is causing the mess?? And yes, they come with those tips but the normal size tips that I already had fit as well.
No I generally use 12-15sec icing for everything, but I think our bags here are just sub par and they're small (the large ones are super expensive) so I can only do little bits at a time lol which just makes things a pain.
I might see if I can buy one bottle and give it a try cos the reviews sound decent enough to give it a go :) Thanks!
I use bottles for flooding and large areas and pastry bags where I can change tips for linework and detail. The bottles just weren't the right size for my details except for dots...will use bottle for dots as it gives even dot size
To start off why not visit your local dollar store and get some squeeze bottles there you'll know if this is an option for you. I started off using squeeze bottles but stopped, the cleanup was killing me and I could never use up all the icing like I can in a pipping bag.
I use bottles (the small ones that fit coupler and tips) exclusively, but have been watching some tutorials and notice these amazing cookiers use piping bags. I use the bottle like an oversized pen, and wasn't sure if I could do the same with the bags. Any thoughts?
Its really up to you, I like to use the bottle because I feel like I have more control, but its harder to get the royal icing out. Piping bags are easier. It depends what you like but they're both good.
I have the pictured bottles and love using them for detail work and use the ketchup size for flooding. I like that you can use piping tips you already have. The main benefit of piping bags is that they are so easy to squeeze, but the bottles are neater and to me easier to control.
Ok, so I tried bags today. decided to stick to bottles. I'm sure it's all in what you're used to. Found it a pain to fill the bags, and keep them closed. I know there are closer thingies, but glad I didn't invest in them. Too much cutting tips off bags, needing a third hand or cup for filling bags, keeping up with them upside down in cup while decorating with several colors,etc. I think it's harder on hands to squeeze the bottles, though. But I can also keep icing in bottles with lid for next decorating session.
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Ok, so I tried bags today. decided to stick to bottles. I'm sure it's all in what you're used to. Found it a pain to fill the bags, and keep them closed. I know there are closer thingies, but glad I didn't invest in them. Too much cutting tips off bags, needing a third hand or cup for filling bags, keeping up with them upside down in cup while decorating with several colors,etc. I think it's harder on hands to squeeze the bottles, though. But I can also keep icing in bottles with lid for next decorating session.
Like you, I feel I have more control with the bottles. To me, they are great for flooding (larger bottles), and for lines and dots (smaller bottles with various tips.) For anything more complicated, like drop flowers, it seems like the bags are better because you can control the pressure. ( I have occasionally used the bottles with a leaf tip and a star tip, and it was ok.)
The trick with the bottles is to get the consistency just right. Also, a couple of suggestions:
If you store your icing in the bottle, you might find that it separates overnight. If that happens, you can use the fat end of a chopstick to stir it well.
While using the bottles, keep them upside down (I use a plastic container with a damp sponge in the bottom; it can hold several bottles at once.) Keeping them upside down will reduce air bubbles -- not eliminate them, unfortunately.
Good luck!
ACustom Cookies it sounds like we do the same. Upside down in short glass with damp paper towel. I use the end of a spoon to stir if they separate. I have invested in several bottles and tips. Guess I won't fix what ain't broke ;). I'm a huge RBC user so I don't do a lot of flooding. But I try to use the large bottles for that. And yes if I use very thick RI I will try to use a bag. I will pass on one new trick I discovered. A nylon (piece of knee-high hose) between coupler and tip to keep 0 and 00 from clogging. I saw something about straining RI through one and decided to shortcut that step. Works like a dream! Saves a ton of frustration
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Custom Cookies it sounds like we do the same. Upside down in short glass with damp paper towel. I use the end of a spoon to stir if they separate. I have invested in several bottles and tips. Guess I won't fix what ain't broke
. I'm a huge RBC user so I don't do a lot of flooding. But I try to use the large bottles for that. And yes if I use very thick RI I will try to use a bag. I will pass on one new trick I discovered. A nylon (piece of knee-high hose) between coupler and tip to keep 0 and 00 from clogging. I saw something about straining RI through one and decided to shortcut that step. Works like a dream! Saves a ton of frustration
I've heard the nylon trick but have never tried it. I wonder if it would cut down on air bubbles too......I'll have to give it a try.
I too use bottles, however I've been having lots of troubles and frustrations while using #1 tips on them, they keep clogging!! Very frustrating while writing or doing any fine details! Any tips or is this why many use piping bags for this? Thanks!!
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