I am fairly new to cake decorating and I was just wondering, which brand of pastry/decorating bag everyone thought was the best. I'm sorry if this is a repost but I searched and couldn't find anything on this subject. Thanks.

Hi Leah, Welcome I personally like KeeSeal bags... I hate clean ups and these are very strong, and disposable....
http://www.keeseal.com/

Well, I use the wilton throw away ones because I can get them with a 40% off coupon. I recently tried the kee seal bags and I really like them but they are expensive. I only use parchment when I am using a small amount of color that wont need t be refilled. I do not like the ones you have to wash.
Happy caking!

I think it is a matter of preference and cost. I started off using the plastic disposable. When I took a class, the instructor made us use the paper ones that you have to have PhD to fold properly, stand on one foot and squint one eye to fold properly. I almost had a melt down working with it. She said she was too cheap to buy the plastic ones and wanted us to see our other options. I would pawn everything in my house before I would use the paper disposable ones. I like my plastic ones. You will get many opinions on this post.

Most of the time I use the Wilton plastic disposable ones but I love to use the parchment paper bags. I have mastered putting them together in seconds! lol. For me, I feel like I have so much more control with the paper ones. I use the plastic for anything that need a larger amount of icing.
I hate the reusable ones. They're expensive too. ddaigle is right, you will get a lot of different opinions, everyone has their own preference.

You know... I totally forgot about parchment paper bags... I love them too for small jobs working with buttercream; and all work done with royal icing or chocolate.. After teaching Wilton classes for 15 years, I can fold them in my sleep..

I guess I'm "odd person out" so far!! I actually like the Wilton featherweight. Yes, they're more expensive, but I've been using the same bags for years and years. I like how they feel and I don't get "blow outs" in the bags if I'm piping a stiffer icing. I like the plastic disposable 2nd, and the parchment last. I think it's definitely what you get used to. I recommend you try them all!

Thanks so much for all your help, I start my first Wilton course on Sunday. I will keep all your helpful hints in mind when I go do my shopping. Thanks so much!!!

I like the Wilton featherweight, as a PP stated: no blowouts. I have been recently purchasing the Ateco bags and those are wonderful!

j-pal: you're not the only "odd person out" as I really like the featherweight ones too. I like the control that I have and the fact that I'm not throwing more plastic into the landfill.

Leah1204: if you find out that you like the featherweights you could buy a lot of them on ebay sometime. I've purchased them for as little as $2 each and with no problems getting them into Canada! Good luck with your course!

I LOVE the BakeryCraft bags, they are awesome!! The Wilton Featherweight bags are good too, but watch out for the cheaper Wilton bags. I bought some at Wal-Mart, not sure what they said but they're horrible.
I also keep the disaposable ones handy. I tend to put off washing my regular bags and sometimes I have to use the disaposable ones.

On that note, anyone else have problems with Ateco tips? I hate those things!!! They all rust after a few uses. The BakeryCraft an Wilton ones rarely ever do.

CakesbyLJ .......I checked out the keeseal site and they have free samples! Here's the link if anyone wants it.

http://www.keeseal.com/keeseal.pdf

Thanks for posting!
Chippi

Actually, that's a keeseal bag I'm using in my signature down there .. It just keeps going and going, like the energizer bunny...
<sorry, I couldn't resist> I seriously need to get to work on my cake for today...

Good Luck on your cake .......your cakes look amazing! Post it if you have a chance would love to see it!

Chippi

Ihave found though, that learning to fold up a teeny tiny parchment triangle helps immensely when piping very small details....where a big bulky bag would get in the way. Allows you to do it with one hand, and is steadier.

I never used a parchment bag until wilton class 3... I never took class 1 or 2. The instructor had to show me how to make the darn things. *UGH* I used 1- that day- for the whole class time. The rest of the time I used teh featherweight or pro bags wilton makes. I use these up to about a 12 inch bag.

For large amounts of frosting, I like the plastic coated Ateco ones. They are thick and feel a bit bulky until you get used to them. I use these for larger cakes with larger borders and the bag would need refilled often- I hate refilling bags! These can be popped into the dishwasher, too!

I don't like the wilton plastic ones at all. I have some, but will probably never use them unless every bag I have bursts and I have no parchment. The plastic ones feel like they are bulging in my hand every time I squeeze.

I do use parchment bags now and then if, and only if I'm using a small amount (like red for a tongue... or a little bit o piping or something like that) and I don't need a tip.

I think I'll have to try the keeseal bags... that trial looks like a good deal, even with shipping.