How to choose the right pastry bag.

If you are a beginner in the cake-decorating world and wonder what bags are the best? I will give you three different types of cake decorating bags and tell you the pros and cons of each one and my favorite.

When I first started decorating cakes, I used the parchment paper triangles that you must fold and tape. I thought these were the best things since sliced bread. They are easy to use and throw away when you are done. I liked them for the ease of folding and filling, and I still use them occasionally. I find they are the best for decorating cookies with Royal icing, the small ones are great for this. Parchment bags come in 2 sizes 15x15x21 inch for 7-inch cones, and
18x18x21 inch for 9-inch cones.

Plastic throwaway bags are the most convenient and come in several sizes, the most popular is the 12”, and 16”. I prefer the 16” they are easier to handle and hold an adequate amount of icing without being too heavy. These bags are most popular because they are easier to insert the couplers and switch tips and are easier to fill and throw away after use for fast cleanup.

My favorite bags are silicone and come in a few different sizes, again the most popular are 12” and 16”. I prefer both sizes, I use the 12” more than the 16”. These are reusable, just wash them and let them dry. In my opinion, these are the best decorating bags because it is easy to change out tips, fill with icing, and have little or no mess. If you do a lot of decorating silicone will save you so much money in the long run.

The one question that my students have is what is the right bag for decorating? This all comes down to preference and what you are trying to accomplish.

Parchment bags are so much easier for me when I am decorating cookies. The parchment fits in my hand well and makes it easier to pipe those fine lines and details. Plastic throwaway bags are all about convenience and again it’s what works better for you. If I am doing some final touch-ups at a venue, it is so much easier to use, throw away, and put your tips in a Ziploc bag, for easy cleanup at home. Silicone will always be the most cost-saving and the easiest to use and clean up

Colorful Decorating bagsPhoto bycanva

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Finally, check around for the best price, Craft stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby usually have a good supply. Walmart has a cake decorating aisle depending on where you live on how much is available. eBay, Amazon, and restaurant supplies companies are the best buy if you buy in bulk.