Me Against The Mmf..did I Kill My Mixer??
Decorating By cindww Updated 14 Apr 2006 , 4:17pm by KarenOR
Hey all,
Tonight was my first (and maybe last) attempt at MMF. I carefully printed out all of the instructions from online and got everything assembled. My marshmallows didn't seem to get really liquidy like the picture showed. Was that where I screwed up? I poured them into the powdered sugar well..so far, so good. Added second batch of sugar and my mixer was struggling. I wasn't too worried since I was expecting this. I added a bit more water, trying to lighten the mixer's load and the dang thing started making a funny smell. Next thing I know, the thing starts smoking!! It is now sitting on my back porch. I was afraid it was going to set off my smoke alarms. The guilty MMF is sitting on my counter, wrapper up and cooling off. It remains to be seen whether it was even made properly at this point. I am really disappointed about my mixer. It wasn't a Kitchen-Aid, but a really nice Hamilton Beach heavy duty mixer in fire engine red. That may have been one very expensive batch of MMF!
Can anyone tell me what I did wrong? My poor, poor mixer..I am going to give it a chance to cool off before I test it out again.
Thanks for listening!
Cindy
It is not any easier to use a mixer than do it by hand. You still have to clean up a mess at the end. Perhaps, once the mixer cools, it may be ok.
For MMF, melt the mm with water, and be sure they are fully melted. Stir them with a wooden spoon to be sure.
Add about 1/2 to 3/4 of the sugar and stir to combine. once it starts to hold together, dump it all out on a greased surface. Carefully, watch for hot spots, start bringing the mess together, sprinkle on sugar as you knead it. I usually start mixing with a bench scraper instead of my hands.
When it is cool enough, and it happens fairly quickly, knead it until it is smooth and not sticky. It may not take all the sugar.
Wrap it well and let it sit for a bit.
Yeah, I'd give the mixer a chance to really cool down. It still may be ok. When melting the marshmallows, stop the micro once or twice during heating and stir'em up good...ya gotta make sure they're all melted.
In my opinion, I'd much rather use my mixer than do it by hand. If ya grease everything up really good, ya dont have the problem of the marshmallows sticking to everything.
Dont give up...take everyones advice...try it again...its so wonderful to work with once ya get the hang of makin' it.
Good luck!
Let us know how everything goes!!!
WOW that sucks about your mixer - I hope it's ok!!! I don't normally make MMF with a mixer, I mix it by hand. Make a big well in the icing sugar and pour the completely melted marshmallows in the middle. Scoop your hand around the edge, and then scoop the sugar from underneath up on top, covering the marshmallow - all in one motion. Turn the bowl with the other hand, and repeat the scoop. The trick is to make sure you keep dipping your hand in the sugar - once you start getting your hand in the marshmallow, you get a big globby mess stuck to you. In about 10-15 of these scoops, it'll come together and get very thick. Dump the whole thing onto the counter and start kneading. Make sure you're always working on a small pile of icing sugar or it will stick to the counter and you'll have to scrape it off. Just keep kneading and adding IS to the counter until is isn't sticky and then put it aside and toss whatever is left on the counter - it usually has lumps so you can't use it in anything else. The whole mixing process only takes a couple minutes and once you get the hang of it is SO fast and easy! I don't know why the posted instructions even mention using a mixer because not only can it damage it, but it's way easier using your hands. Good luck with your mixer!!! 
I can't stand kneading and will avoid it whenever possible. I'd rather wash the KA bowl and hook than knead the MMF. The KA stays on my counter, so I don't have the hassle of taking it down/putting it away. To all you kneaders out there, I certainly admire your muscular strength!!! Cheers!
....if I were a betting person, I'd say the mixer is toast. I had a similar experience in Jr. High while trying to mix the ingredients for balloon wine in my mother's blender at midnight when my parents were sleeping. A moaning sound accompanied by a wafting hot electrical smell, followed by silence was my first clue. Bummer.
I use my KA and never have a problem. I use the dough hook and as it mixes, it collects all the sugar, so after 5 mins, I have a balled up lump of fondant ready for rolling, no mess.
I melt the 2 cups of marshmallows with some water in the microwave. In the mixer I have 4 cups of icing sugar. I add the marshmallows and mix for 5 mins. Then I'm done! The clean up is quick because there's no clumps or crumbs or loose sugar in the bowl.
I wonder if you just didn't get a faulty mixer. Try to take it back (if it's still fairly new).
good luck.
Just tried out my mixer and it seems to be working. Its actually a 400 watt mixer which I am pretty sure it more powerful than the standard KA. I think I checked that out when I bought it a few years ago. If I'd have known there would be MMF in my future, I'd have invested in a cement mixer
I just used the MMF in question and it worked out pretty well. I will post a picture of the cake I made tomorrow. I'm pleased with it since I'm really new to this cake-decorating thing!
Thanks again for everyone's feedback..
Cindy
I read this whole thread with pounding heart! I'm SOO glad the mixer is OK! Mine was an anniversary gift, and a stretch for our family at the time. So, if you can manage, it's worth the upper body workout to protect the investment for other tough tasks that are more its pace. (esp. creaming butter - I'm never patient enough to let it get to room temp)
Anyway, Uberhipster's comment is right on! That's how I try to do it, and other than a serious Crisco manicure(which I still recommend), it's the best way to get the stuff started without a huge explosion of nasty, sticky goo all over self and surface.
Keep at it - it's great fun!
Bekah
believe it or not i managed to mess up my kitchen aid. i could not locate anyone to fix the mixer so i called kitchen aid to see if they had any authorized repair men in my area. she asked for my name and address then told me that i should be receiving a replacement in 7 -10 days. i've never been so glad to see the ups man..........said all of that to say: give them (hamilton beach) a call
Toll-Free Customer Service Numbers:
USA: 1-800-851-8900
Canada: 1-800-267-2826
Mexico: 01 800 71 16 100
maybe they will replace it.......it wouldn't hurt to try.
I DO have a KA, and I still do this by hand. I think it's MUCH easier than trying to fight with the mixer and then clean it. I knead with one hand only until all or most of the sugar is mixed in. That way, it's not too terribly messy.
Ditto! I did it with my KA and a dough hook the first time and never again. By hand is way easier!
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