Where Did You Buy Your Airbrush?
Decorating By justfrosting Updated 16 Mar 2007 , 8:35pm by craftybrandi
Not sure why I am not getting answers to this question--I asked it a few days ago.
Am I not asking it right? I just want to know if any old airbrush will work or if I need to buy a special one for edible colors.
Thanks CC
I got mine at an online store "Airbrush City" and I got horrible customer service. When we got the airbrush, the compressor would not start every time we hit the switch. It was "finnicky." I was so upset.
I contacted the company and they said that if I wanted to return it, I would have to pay for shipping to send it back to them and pay a restocking fee. After much debate they finally said, they would not charge the restocking fee IF and only IF there was something wrong with the airbrush, but I would still be responsible for shipping it back. Well the problem with that was that the Airbrush was "finnicky." Sometimes it started fine and sometimes it didn't. I can just imagine that after sending it back, they turn it on and it starts right up, then I am out a 20% restocking fee and shipping to send it back with nothing to show for it.
So I gave up after many emails back and forth and kept the stupid airbrush. It has worked okay most of the time but it is still finnicky. I just want to warn all airbrush cake artists out there to stay away from "Airbrush City."
Edited: Also, I hadn't realized this before we ordered (b/c the hubby actually ordered it) but their customer service phone number was long distance so I had no "real" person to speak to, just a mechanical yesman over emails. The email customer service person was very unprofessional as well. It was pathetic!
Here's a thread on an airbrush someone bought at Wal Mart for model cars and says it works just fine. http://forum.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=66793&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=0
I checked out the one at Wal-Mart and here, it was a pretty cheapo one but still was going to cost $50+ for all the parts.....they have this store called Harbor Freight (online too) and they had a really professional one w/ compressor that was under $100 and the 10 pack of liquid color was about $20. I know that is pricey but I would rather pay $100 for a really good one then $50 for a junky one.....maybe the one at my Wal-mart wasn't the one everyone else was talking about though....and I was going to use the Preval one that I saw on Duff but there was some discussion about that being not 'food safe'......
So what's with it not being food safe? The Preval thing - I haven't tried to get one yet but why? Because it wasn't "created" for food? I guess the car/model one from walmart wouldn't be food safe either. I guess I missed that discussion thread...... I'd love to get one. It just seems soooo much easier when I watch Duff airbrush the cake instead of having to have to color several different pieces of fondant to make all your decorations.... just airbrush! It looks faster too.....
So did anyone have recommendations on the more expensive ones too? Not that I wouldn't prefer cheaper, but like someone else said - I want one that works too.
I bought a Paasche airbrush from Hobby Lobby, bought an air compressor there as well. Used the 40% off coupon and saved a bundle of bucks. I have not been able to practice much, I need time and no distractions, those precious commodities are rare for me right now. Anyhow, I would think any airbrush you consider would be ok, just need to learn how to use the dang thing properly. Here is a link for basic airbrush lessons,
http://www.howtoairbrush.com/
I bought the Nick Lodge book on how to airbrush, it is not that great in my opinion. I am more of a eyes on, seeing it done type of person. It is fun to play with, by the way....I bought all my americolor airbrush colors from cake central, and very happy with them.
I recently did limited research on airbrushing. My concern was I did not want to buy something that was not food safe, nor did I want to have to be replacing it for a better unit later. The research I did pointed to the Airmaster, the set (compressor and brush) is $225. Sugarcraft.com has them, but I was concerned with the length of time and price for shipping from Ohio to California, so I decided to order from the manufacturer which is in California. For the same price and less shipping $$ for ground UPS, I ordered online Thursday night and received it Monday. I have used it once and I am eager to use it again. I justified the cost since it is a good product, no upgrades, it will have plenty of use and I turned it into an early birthday present from my husband!!
Here is the link from Kopykake
http://www.kopykake.com/cd_compressors.html
On the sugarcraft website, under airbrushing, if you scroll down, they have a few comments on airbrushing.
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