Clay Gun Leaves Jagged Edges On Fondant

Decorating By vdrsolo Updated 21 Jul 2007 , 8:32am by jules06

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vdrsolo Posted 19 Jul 2007 , 8:04pm
post #1 of 21

OK, I got this Makins Clay gun extruder from Hobby Lobby, it's the green one with the twist handle that comes with 20 discs. I wanted to try somethings out with it such as ribbons and ropes.

I used some Marshmallow fondant I had on hand, got jagged edges. So I tried various things: greased the inside of the gun with shortening, added shortening to my fondant, nuked the fondant until it was soft. My fondant was nice and soft going into the gun, but very jagged coming out! Any tips on these things??

20 replies
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Doug Posted 19 Jul 2007 , 8:12pm
post #2 of 21

did you try flipping the disk around the other way?

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rcs Posted 19 Jul 2007 , 8:20pm
post #3 of 21

I've got the same one and I have the same problem. Flipping the disk around didn't help!!

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vdrsolo Posted 19 Jul 2007 , 8:24pm
post #4 of 21

yep, tried flipping the disc (even though they looked identical on both sides!)

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CherryBomb Posted 19 Jul 2007 , 8:26pm
post #5 of 21

Try a fondant/gumpaste mix. That's usually what I use. I do, however, have the Sugarcraft gun.

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luvbakin Posted 19 Jul 2007 , 8:26pm
post #6 of 21

I have the black and red gun from sugarcraft.com and have the same problem. I tried kneading in some more crisco and it didn't help. I used mmf too, so now I am wondering if maybe that's it. Anyone try with premade fondant?

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springlakecake Posted 19 Jul 2007 , 8:28pm
post #7 of 21

I do not have the same gun, but the first time I tried mine the same thing happened. But I have figured out that freshly made mmf or commercial fondant works much better. The first time I used some older mmf.

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roxxxy_luvs_duff Posted 19 Jul 2007 , 8:28pm
post #8 of 21

even though wiltons fondant is nasty maybe try that

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vdrsolo Posted 19 Jul 2007 , 8:49pm
post #9 of 21

This was an older batch of mmf, I have some Satin Ice on hand and will give that a try (I just got everything all cleaned!)

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luvbakin Posted 19 Jul 2007 , 10:02pm
post #10 of 21

Hummm, mine was a fresh batch of mmf. Strange.

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springlakecake Posted 19 Jul 2007 , 10:17pm
post #11 of 21

I also just make sure the tube and the fondant is a little greased up.

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handymama Posted 20 Jul 2007 , 1:19am
post #12 of 21

I make the from-scratch fondant that uses glycerin, gelatin, milk, etc. (recipe from CC). It works beautifully for everything else, but is "wormy" coming out of the clay gun. Greasing the gun helps, but not much and not for long. Would just love to find out what to do to make clean, smooth consistent ropes.

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rcs Posted 20 Jul 2007 , 3:48am
post #13 of 21

Me too! I've always used MMF before, but I recently purchased some SatinIce and I'll try that!

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beccakelly Posted 20 Jul 2007 , 4:04am
post #14 of 21

when i use mmf in my clay gun i always have that jagged look. using premade fondant is the way to go, never had a problem since i quite using mmf. if its just a border you're doing i would use wilton as its cheap (with 40% off) and i wouldn't expect anyone to take a big bite out of the border.

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rcs Posted 20 Jul 2007 , 6:59am
post #15 of 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by beccakelly

when i use mmf in my clay gun i always have that jagged look. using premade fondant is the way to go, never had a problem since i quite using mmf. if its just a border you're doing i would use wilton as its cheap (with 40% off) and i wouldn't expect anyone to take a big bite out of the border.


That's good to know. I'll try the SatinIce. I was about to give up on using my clay gun to make ropes!

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jules06 Posted 20 Jul 2007 , 1:57pm
post #16 of 21

I use the pre-made fondant ( pettinice ) in my clay gun & haven't had any problems with it - it does have to be really, really soft before you put it through... icon_biggrin.gif

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Ladivacrj Posted 20 Jul 2007 , 2:06pm
post #17 of 21

I brought a clay gun a week ago and tried it with some fresh scratch fondant and got the same thing.

I nuked it and was still getting the jagged edges.

Not to mention trying to force the stuff through that little hole. My hands were hurting like the dickins.

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vdrsolo Posted 20 Jul 2007 , 6:30pm
post #18 of 21

somebody help me! I WANT to go try this out with some Satin Ice I have on hand, but I'm trying to clean my house! Someone please turn my computer off and lock me out of this place!! I just keep coming back!!

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luvbakin Posted 21 Jul 2007 , 1:39am
post #19 of 21

Back away from the computer......don't make us call CCA (cake central anonymous. icon_lol.gificon_lol.gif

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vdrsolo Posted 21 Jul 2007 , 2:50am
post #20 of 21

OK...I could not resist (my house still needs some cleaning), but I got it all back out.

I used both Satin Ice and Pettinice and the gun worked beautifully!! I was working with an old batch of mmf, so when I get time I'll make a fresh batch and use it.

By comparing the different fondants, you can tell whether it will work in the gun before you put it in. If it is stretchy, and really elastic, it will work. If it tears apart, it won't (and I even tried adding some Crisco to the MMF, seemed to make things worse).

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jules06 Posted 21 Jul 2007 , 8:32am
post #21 of 21

It has to be much softer than you would normally use it, otherwise it is hard to push it through !!! icon_biggrin.gif

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