The Best Piping Bags (Review) in 2020

Things to Consider When Buying Piping Bags

• Material and Type

There are a good few types to choose from, which we discuss in more detail below. However, the main types are whether to choose between reusable or disposable piping bags as these will make the biggest difference in price and value.

The material you choose can make a big difference in terms of the strength of your frosting bags and their overall effectiveness. The right material will make a difference in how well the bag can be held during use. As you can imagine, when working with icing, butter and so on, your grip might not be as stable. In these cases, getting a material with additional grip via the material can make your job all the easier.

The level of grip on the inside of the bag makes a difference too, since you will want your frosting bags to easily pipe out your decorations without a great deal of effort from yourself. Material that provides too much friction can mean you’ll be spending longer trying to eek out your mixture, while a smoother internal material will make your job much easier.

• Size

A larger size of bag will allow you to work for longer without the need to refill your frosting bag regularly. Larger bags also, usually, come with larger openings which makes filling your bag up much easier to begin with. This is great if you’re looking to decorate larger areas at a time or have lots of cupcakes to work with, for example. However, it will mean that you bag will be heavier and sometimes a little harder to control.

Smaller bags are perfect for finer work, or for those who require a lighter piping bag to work with for many reasons. These are ideal for delicate decorative work or for occasional use. They will, however, require more refills and can come with a smaller opening, making it more difficult to work with larger batches.

• Cleanliness

This is a big factor if you’re looking to work commercially, as you’ll effectively be putting the health and safety of your clients or customers into your work. In these cases, you should opt for piping bags that will be sterile at the point of use, with rolled or securely packed bags being the best choice to avoid any risk of germs and bacteria ending up in your frosting bag.

For domestic users, reusable icing bags should be easy to clean and therefore less likely to risk cross-contamination. Silicone bags, for example, are extremely easy to clean and can handle very hot temperatures, so can usually be placed in the dishwasher or rinsed with hot water and soap.

• Value

Disposable bags will usually cost less but, since you won’t be able to reuse them, you will find that you can work your way through the quantity of bags a lot quicker. Meanwhile, reusable bags can also provide great value for money, as they may cost more initially but they can be reused time and again. The real value is in how much icing you need to do, as the different types will better suit different needs. We discuss this in more detail in our next section.

• Reviews

Easily one of the most important factors, reviews will let you know the overall quality of your purchase before you buy. Poorly reviewed products will usually come around when the bag is difficult to use or more likely to split. On the other hand, highly reviewed products are a great way to ensure that the item you’re buying will be made of quality materials and work well for your needs.

Reviews are also a goldmine of information when it comes to additional tips and tricks which are related specifically to your new item. In this case, it could be the best way to wrap your bag or pipe your frosting, all of which are very handy for new starters and hobbyists.

Different Types of Piping Bags

• Reusable

Reusable piping bags will usually be made of a silicone or plastic, which will usually be stronger and therefore less likely to split during use. They do, however, cost more in order to cover the thicker, higher quality materials. You should also bear in mind that any alterations will be permanent, so these are not always the best choice for regular decorators.

Reusable bags are perfect for those who only want a decorating set for occasional use or those who are just starting out on their journey. They are easier to managed as they are less likely to slip between your hands and will be more cost-effective over time.

• Disposable

Disposable bags will be much thinner and made of more fragile materials such as paper or a fine plastic. They can be more hygienic, as they will usually be sterile before being used but are more likely to be messy to work with, as the likelihood of splitting is increased. They’re also great for flipping from one mixture to another, whether that be due to the color or the ingredients, as you can pull out multiple disposable bags at a time.

Disposable bags have the added benefit of being able to cut each bag to size depending on which coupler, tip or nozzle you’re looking to use. While reusable bags can only be changed once, a disposable selection can be altered depending on which size and selection you feel like using or want to use at the time.

Many of our top picks are disposable bags which have a focus on the thickness of the material, which makes them both easier to use and less likely to split. However, they can be a little harder to get to grips with, so it can take a few tries before you get used to how they feel in your hands, if you’re new to piping bags.

Tips When Using Piping Bags

If this is your first time using piping bags, never fear. As always, we’ve got your covered with some of the best tips and tricks available to make your experience easier than ever, with the best results you can get.

• Try to keep the pressure even when holding your frosting bag and piping your mixture. This will stop any undue thicker spots which can ruin the overall look and taste of your baked goods.
• Try to fill your bag to around half full. This will make sure you don’t get an overfilled bag which is harder to handle and harder to work with. It is also more likely to spill from the top half, which can lead to a big mess and your icing all over the wrong parts of the cake, or your floor.
• Try to work out any air bubbles before beginning your piping work. You can do this by squeezing the mixture over a bowl to try and work out any trapped air. This will stop spots and splotches appearing over your cake.
• Use bag ties where available- these are a fantastic way of keeping the pressure even and ensuring no mixture falls out of the upper half of the bag.
• Prep your bag first by fixing the tips and nozzles before placing the icing in the bag. This seems somewhat obvious, but you’ll be amazed how you can forget the simplest things when you’re first starting out!
• You can use a tall glass to help you fill your bag. Simply place your bag into the glass and fold over the opening over the sides of the glass. This will leave you with a more secure bag and a free hand, which in turns leaves less air bubbles in your mixture.
• The nozzle should fit fairly tightly to the end of your piping bag set. Too loose and you’re likely to have some of your mixture escaping and making a mess. Too tight and you won’t be able to work the tip off, once you’ve finished.
• Feel free to have a little play before beginning with your piping. It’s hard to get a good feel for how well the icing will release before this, so testing over a spare cupcake or piece of kitchen roll will be a good test before use.

Best Piping Bags FAQ:

Q: Can I reuse a piping bag?

A: If you’re using the piping bag for home baking and on the odd occasion, there’s no need to buy a lot of disposable bags for your needs. These can easily be washed and reused where applicable, as long as you’re cleaning your piping bag set thoroughly before and after each use, to ensure no nasties get into your mixture.

For commercial use, and for those who are professional bakers or cooks, you should never opt for a reusable piping bag. Not only will they create more work for you in the long time, with all the washing and drying between each use, but they’re also more likely to be subject to cross-contamination.

Instead, you should opt for disposable piping bags, which should be packed tightly or rolled to ensure that they are sterile. These will also create less work for you, as the bags can be thrown away after each use, which means you’ll spend less time cleaning up between uses.

Q: Can I wash piping bags?

A: While disposable piping bags should never be washed and re-used, it’s fair to say that some materials are made to be washed and used again and again. Silicone and some plastics can be easily washed in the dishwasher, or with hot water and soap, but you’ll need to be sure each frosting bag is cleaned thoroughly before going on to the next decorating task.

Our Top Pick

The complete set, these Piping Tips and Bags from Aleeza Cake Wonders is a great starter kit, or ideal for someone who is looking for a great range of tips for their cake decorating hobby. With over 48 to choose from, it’s easy to see how you could meet any and every need you could possibly have during cake decorating.

The three reusable icing bags are ideal for saving money over the longer term, on what is already a very affordable, cost-effective choice. Meanwhile, the disposable bags are made from a thick, durable material which will hold out against the pressure of constant use. All-in-all a great choice for regular users and newbies alike.

Source:

1. All you need to know about pastry bag or piping bag – Online Pastry Training School