Whether you're a master cake decorator or culinary student, you may run into some issues when using cake decorating products. We compiled some common questions cake decorators have about using pastry bags and piping tips and answered them so you can easily find the solution to your problem.
How to Hold a Pastry Bag
To hold a pastry bag properly, grip the bag with your dominant hand a few inches behind the coupler firmly. Holding the bag this close to the tip gives you excellent control, which is ideal when doing detailed decorating work. Then, with your non-dominant hand, hold the bag up and keep it closed and out of the way.
How to Clean Pastry Bags
To wash dishwasher-safe bags, simply turn them inside out and attach them to your dishwasher rack with a clothespin.
To clean non-dishwasher-safe bags, turn the bags inside out and wash them by hand with hot, soapy water. Then, rinse the bags thoroughly. Once clean, stuff the bag loosely with paper towels and allow it to stand up on the counter until it dries completely.
How to Fill Pastry Bags by Yourself
It can be difficult to hold your piping bag and fill it with product at the same time. To keep the bag stable, insert the bag into a tall glass with the tip facing down and fold the sides over the edge of the glass. Then, you can proceed to fill your pastry bag with ease.
How to Use Multiple Colors of Icing When Decorating
A frosting plug is a great way to use multiple colors of icing with only one pastry bag. Here are the steps you need to follow to use a frosting plug:
- Take a sheet of plastic wrap and lay it flat on your counter.
- Add some frosting and then wrap the plastic around it.
- Spread the frosting evenly throughout the plastic wrap and then twist both ends to form a sausage shape.
- Insert a coupler into your pastry bag and feed the plug into the bag until the end of the plastic wrap comes out of the coupler.
- Cut off the end of the plastic wrap, add your piping tip, and screw on the ring.
- Repeat this process for all of the colors and types of icing you have.
- Then you can simply remove the plastic wrap when changing colors and wash out the coupler and tip.