Cake decorating kits come in all shapes and sizes. They can be as small as 12 icing tips, or 466 items in one kit. So if you’re passionate about baking but don’t know where to begin, things can get confusing for you. What makes the decision difficult is when people do not know why they are buying the kit. If you are buying it for occasional use at home, then smaller kits work perfectly fine. However, if you are a passionate baker or want to monetize your abilities, then you would need a larger kit. We have compiled this detailed buying guide keeping all types of bakers in mind, so we’re positive that you’ll be able to find the right kit for yourself.
How to Choose a Cake Decorating Kit if You’re a Beginner
Compatibility
Your cake decorating kit should be compatible with your kitchen and fit your interests well. So if you have a small kitchen with limited storage space, opt for a kit with individually grouped items. This will make it easier to distinguish which things are vital for you. In terms of checking for compatibility, you may also want to consider the size of your oven. Certain kits come with baking pans, which might be too big if you own a personal oven in a small kitchen. Therefore, always read through the items list and their dimensions before purchasing a cake decorating kit for your kitchen.
Materials used
The materials used to make the cake decorating tools are an important factor to consider! You also want to make sure that your tips are non-corrosive. This would make sure that they retain their shape even if you drop them a few times and that they won’t rust easily. Similarly, molds and baking liners should be made of silicone so that they do not release as many toxic chemicals into the food as plastic does. It would also ensure better health and fewer chances of materials melting in the oven. Tin and cupcake liners can be colorful; however, their paper and ink should be up to par and non-toxic in nature. You don’t want the ink to transfer into your food and spoil your baked goods!
Icing tools
Some of the most important items to have in a cake decorating kit are tools used for icing. All cakes have icing on them, whether on top or under fondant. These elements of the kit must be of high quality and diverse in nature to accommodate all types of icing methods. Some important icing items are:
Piping bags
Piping bags can be reusable or disposable. A good piping bag should be able to hold its shape and be easy to press. This helps with a quick and effective icing application. It is an extra benefit if it’s made from a heat-resistant material so that the icing doesn’t soften when you hold a filled icing bag in your hand.
Icing tips
There are about 44 different types of icing tips in baking tools. All of these tips have specific designs they create when used with a piping bag. A variety of designs can be made if you have multiple icing tips to use. Most tips come with a flower nail to make icing flowers.
Design applicators
Design applicators are comb-like flat tools that help make designs on the surface of the cake once it has been fully covered in icing. They are useful for quick and easy designs and can be used to make more intricate ones as well.
Smoothening tools
A good cake often requires a base layer of smooth icing. Smoothening tools are like flat knives with no sharp edges. They help level the icing and create a cake that looks neat and uniform. Most kits have three of them in different sizes.
Washability
Washing your baking utensils and cake decorating kit is just as important as using them. In most cases, the metallic items are easy to wash but have to be dried properly. On the other hand, plastics and silicones might have special cleaning requirements for better maintenance. Make sure to read the cleaning instructions that come along with your cake decorating kit to ensure long-lasting tools.
Safety
Another major aspect to consider is safety. All cake decorating kits must be safe to use; therefore, even if icing tips or smoothening tools are metallic, they should not be sharp. Similarly, silicone molds should be able to cool down quickly, or else you might burn yourself. This also applies to cake pan liners and cupcake liners; the paper should not burn when exposed to heat in the oven, or else it may transfer chemicals or even be a fire hazard. Read labels to ensure the products are FDA-approved and are made with food-grade materials. This helps avoid accidental poisoning from chemical exposure.
Additional Items
Now that we have the essentials sorted out, we move on to the additional items that a cake decorating kit might have. Right off the bat, cake pans and stands are very good items to have in your kitchen. They help clear out space to work on and reduce mess. Fondant molds and tools also come in handy if you want to decorate the cake with things other than icing or buttercream. Fondant is difficult to work with, so additional tools are very much appreciated. Some kits come with other kitchen essentials such as brushes, spatulas, mixing spoons, whisks, cookie cutters, and so much more. You can consider investing in a kit like this if you want to have the maximum number of kitchen utensils at your disposal. To ensure you do not accidentally damage your items, some kits come with silicone cleaning brushes that offer gentle cleaning for coated surfaces.
