I'm trying to make some flowers for a big cake for the weekend. I put my water and merigue powder in the bowl, like I always do. But the meringue powder won't whip. I've never had this problem, but now I don't know what to do. Has anybody else ever had this problem?

try chilling it.. what happens when you whip it?

Are you sure that your utensils were completely grease free?

It's going a little foamy but won't get anywhere near stiff peaks. I have never had this problem, and I've been doing it for 25 years.

Oh, I didn't see the other message. My bowl is metal and of course my beaters are. They were washed in the dishwasher. It SEEMS like it might be a grease problem, but I don't see how that could be.

could be a humidity problem also... if its a rainy day

I could see humidity making for too-floppy egg whites, but if they're not inflating at all it's a grease problem. If you're using measuring cups/spoons or other utensils or containers besides the mixer bowl and beaters, check them as well.

Unless I have JUST taken all my utensils out of the dishwasher I always rinse them with vinegar before beginning. I may have forgotten that I hand washed my spatula or measuring cup or something.

Good advice from all! Thanks so much. I soaked my beaters in hot soapy water with vinegar (just because of the plastic knob on one of the beaters), and mixed with a metal spoon, but still couldn't get peaks. But I went ahead and used it..the flowers look slightly different (a very slight shine), but they are plenty good enough.

Same batch of meringue powder still?

If absolutely everything that's touching your ingredients is definitely grease-free I'd look at swapping out the ingredients next.