The black and red one seems to be very popular, because it can be done with one hand. Although I have heard if they break down you're screwed because they have so many parts in them. There is a silver one on the market which looks a bit dodgy. I bought the green one which you must use two hands to use, because I read good things about it, and you can fit quite a bit more fondant inside it.
As for tricks, make a sausage out of your fondant smaller than the hole it's going into, and then rub a little bit of shortening over it, to make it come out easier.
I have the green one, I forgot the name of it. I found it on ebay, works great, not that expensive.
Thats the Makin which is the same one I have and it works great for me too. My advice is to make sure to lube it up with plenty of crisco - both the fondant and the extruder itself.
I've bought the red and black one, through Sharon's website. Still no problems, but I haven't used it much. So much better than a silver push thingamabobber.
You can also make one with a caulking gun and water piping.
MadMillie would you mind sharing how this is done. I have been trying to picture this in my mind and it's not working for me. What type of discs do you use to make the shapes?
The best extruder I've found is by Artway. It's MUCH larger than all the other ones out there and really has a lot of pressure to it.
Michaels has a clay extruder in the clay section (imagine that) that works great and not too expensive. Its has a black barrel and comes with many different dies. It hand crank (not a trigger).
I use the Makin as well. The local cake shop sells a giant one which would be great if you do big cakes.
i've been using my Makin a lot past few days and found that i dislike that you have to have 2 hands to use it. i was extruding very long pieces to make borders and it's difficult to guide what's coming out when you're struggling to hold and twist the thingie. i haven't tried any other, but it's something to consider.
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