I Am In Isomalt Hell!!!! Help!!!!!

Sugar Work By QuiteContrary Updated 28 May 2011 , 4:04am by simicakes

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QuiteContrary Posted 2 Mar 2011 , 7:49pm
post #1 of 13

Here I am trying to pour sugar gems. I melted the isomalt sticks by cake play, but I cannot seem to get the isomalt to fill the gem spaces properly. The sugar is filling one and running over into another. Then I have to try and separate the pieces and the edges are coming out jagged.

The gems are really small and I cannot figure out how to pour such a tiny amount. I even tried using a small metal spoon.

Any advice will be GREATLY appreciated.

Also, the gems are forming tiny pits when they hit the silicone mold so they are not totally clear/ transparent. What to do?

12 replies
dchockeyguy Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
dchockeyguy Posted 3 Mar 2011 , 2:41pm
post #2 of 13

Silicon gasses when it comes in contact with a hot substance like sugar. If you use silicon molds for gems, you will get the little pits. To get rid of them, you need to use a torch on them, which will get rid of the pits. I use a Creme Brulee torch, but a blow torch from Home Depot is much cheaper I later discovered.

As to pouring, the best thing I've heard for small amounts is made by Kathy Scott. She makes a tiny silicon spoon so she can put just a drop or two of isomalt into the mold.

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Bluehue Posted 3 Mar 2011 , 2:53pm
post #3 of 13

Do you have a glass eye dropper - if so i would try using that to get the little ammounts you need into each mould.

Bluehue.

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Sorelle Posted 3 Mar 2011 , 2:53pm
post #4 of 13

A candy funnel that has a trigger type stopper is what I use.

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lilmissbakesalot Posted 3 Mar 2011 , 3:04pm
post #5 of 13

If you are making the REALLY itty bitty ones, you can pour a blob on your mat and then run a HOT dough scraper over it to get rid of the excess and push the isomalt into the cavities.

There's nothing you can do about the pits though. And with the really tiny gems you lose the facets when you torch them so they just look like drops.

Sorry the news isn't better.

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infinitsky Posted 3 Mar 2011 , 3:12pm
post #6 of 13

A silicone cupcake thingy (not sure what is the name) is a good thing to use and you probably have one at home. It is heat resistant and you can shape when pouring the melted isomalt easily. Try not to put too much isomalt in it, maybe just enough for filling 2 - 3 mold openings. You will have more control over it.

Personally I never worked with isomalt, but I HTH.

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dchockeyguy Posted 3 Mar 2011 , 3:14pm
post #7 of 13
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluehue

Do you have a glass eye dropper - if so i would try using that to get the little ammounts you need into each mould.

Bluehue.




That will be a PITA to clean after the fact, I'd think. Some sugar is going to get stuck up there regardless, and with each time, she'll likely be able to use less and less sugar. However, you've jsut given me a brilliant idea. ... Off to do research! Thanks!

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Buttercream_warrior Posted 3 Mar 2011 , 3:31pm
post #8 of 13

[quote="dchockeyguy"]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluehue

Do you have a glass eye dropper - if so i would try using that to get the little ammounts you need into each mould.

Bluehue.




That will be a PITA to clean after the fact, I'd think. Some sugar is going to get stuck up there regardless, and with each time, she'll likely be able to use less and less sugar. However, you've jsut given me a brilliant idea. ... Off to do research! Thanks![/quote

please share after you do your research..it seems like everyone wants sugar diamonds down here now!! lol and anything that wil make this isomalt hell easier would be awesome!!

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lilmissbakesalot Posted 3 Mar 2011 , 3:44pm
post #9 of 13

Honestly... I'd just buy them. Global Sugart Art sells them in tons of sizes and colors. It's worth the money to not have to mess with it all.

icon_biggrin.gif

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QuiteContrary Posted 6 Mar 2011 , 12:11am
post #10 of 13

Thanks guys for all the replies. The silicone spoon sounds promising. The dropper idea was great. My concern is if the dropper can withstand the high heat. LOL about cleaning it, a PITA for sure!!!!!

I was trying to avoid buying them since I spent the money on the molds and isomalt but if things do not improve I may not have a choice. Let me know how the research is going.

A blow torch huh! And it won't mess up the mold? May just give that one a try.

Keep those ideas coming. Two heads are really better than one.














p

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QuiteContrary Posted 6 Mar 2011 , 2:00am
post #11 of 13

So silly of me! You have to take the gems out of the mold then torch them. Chalk that one up to a new baby and sleepless nights!!!

But seriously, I can't find the Kathy Scott silicone soons anywhere. Anybody with a link? Thanks much.

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CocoaMoma Posted 27 May 2011 , 11:28pm
post #12 of 13

I'm trying my hand at the isomalt gems for the first time today (my first time to Cake Central too). Been doing a lot of research before I tried b/c I could tell that I was going to have problems with the tiny gems molds (I have done chocolate molds before and remembered). Anywho, I also read that if you're using the super small molds, you can use a toothpick or sucker stick to fill the molds (dip in and let drip/fill slowly). So, I'm off to try this. I will let you know if it works. Please let me know if anyone has had success with any other techniques. Thank you!!!

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simicakes Posted 28 May 2011 , 4:04am
post #13 of 13

For the tiniest gems you use a toothpick and just drop the isomalt into the mold like you would a spoon. After they come out give them a super quick shot with the torch to clean them up beautifully.

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