How Do You Fill Decorator Bottles?

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores various experiences and opinions regarding the use of decorator bottles for icing. Participants discuss methods for filling the bottles, cleaning them, and their overall effectiveness compared to traditional icing methods.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses uncertainty about filling the bottles and whether the tips can be removed for easier filling.
  • Another participant shares their dislike for the bottles, preferring Wilton bags for their ease of use and disposal.
  • Several users mention concerns about cleaning the bottles, with some suggesting the use of brushes or warm water for easier maintenance.
  • One participant notes a method of filling the bottles using a Ziploc bag, while others question the practicality of this approach.
  • Another participant shares a positive experience using the bottles at a cookie decorating playgroup, highlighting their effectiveness for children.
  • One user mentions that filling the bottles can be messy and suggests using flexible funnels, although others report that this method did not work well for them.
  • Several participants discuss the interchangeability of the tips with Wilton products, noting this as a positive feature.
  • One participant shares a technique of warming icing to make it easier to pour into the bottles, based on a friend's experience.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the ease of filling and cleaning the decorator bottles, with some participants expressing frustration while others report satisfactory experiences. No clear consensus emerges regarding the overall effectiveness of the bottles compared to traditional methods.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and preferences, highlighting a range of methods and opinions on using decorator bottles for icing. The discussion reflects varied levels of familiarity and satisfaction with the product.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants considering the use of decorator bottles for icing may find the shared experiences and techniques helpful in deciding whether to incorporate them into their practices.

lisacb77
Messages
1,326
I don't have them, yet...seriously thinking about getting some now. I have a customer that wants to know how you get the icing in them. Do the tips come off? I would think they do since we can order them on replacement but want to be sure. She doesn't want them if she has to squeeze through the tiny opening to get stuff IN them :)

Thanks!
 
the tips and connecter appear to unscrew. in which case it will still be hard to get icing in...and out. I do not like these things! But i have also never used them. I am a big fan of the wilton plastic bags or parchment triangles. you can throw them away and they form to your hand and are easy to control!
 
Does anyone else wonder not only how to fill but how to wash them??? I am not excited by them either.
 
I think you would have to use brush to clean them... and remember for the tips that wilton tips are supposed to fit these bottles :-)
 
hey look at that, a cleaning brush is included :-) ...and they are dishwasher safe.PS: I had to clear my cache and reset cookies in order for the "Not Available" to come off from the dec. bottle item.....that stinks, i wonder how many customers won't know to do that and will see them as unavailable still!!
 
it seems to me I recall seeing on the demo recipes CD that we got that they filled the bottles by first filling a ziploc bag and then snipping the corner and squeezing the contents into the bottle that way

Melinda
 
yeah, so why not just use a wilton bag? i have decorated cookies with a ziploc freezer bag and a tip once.
 
because they look better :-) and.................... maybe it would be better to give a child to use instead of a bag which could get squeezed too hard too easily?
 
I can never seem to get the baggies to work very well for me. I really like the bottles. They weren't hard to fill at all. I just put the icing in a baggie (& colored white frosting with food coloring right in baggie) & cut a tip & squeezed it in the bottles. They are pretty easy to clean too. I let mine sit in hot water for a few minutes & they rinsed right out. You could also fill them with a small spreader.
 
I used them today at a cookie decorating playgroup and they worked great. Took white icing and made it three different colors. The 4 and up kids were able to squeeze without help and loved having different colors to choose from. The 3 year old boys could get it to come out with help from mom. We just used a spoon to put in the top and it seemed to work fine although it was a little messy and inefficient. I don't have bags and like these to make me feel crafty when I'm not.
 
I just used a butter knife to fill mine; worked perfect! And they actually cleaned pretty easy, just soaked them in water & washed with brush.:)
 
Okay... this is great feedback...maybe I'll have to reconsider.. using the bags with kids doesn't work well... I suppose we could use the EAD to fill the DB'S!!!!!! We're always supposed to cross sell right? OMG ... it's Friday!
 
I haven't used mine very often, but when I did they were fairly easy to fill and really easy to clean. I love that they come with a cleaning brush, but I didn't even use mine. I just rinsed them with warm water and all the frosting came loose. I think they are a great product for $10.50!!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #14
Okay so I guess you CAN take the tips off to fill first? I just can't picture squeezing through the tiny holes and that is the concern of my customer.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #15
I found my answer! Dawned on me to check use & care on CC:
*Fill bottles using small spreader or butter knife. Bottle holds approximately 1/2 cup/125 mL of frosting (1/3 of a 16 ounce/453 g can).
*Position tip on coupler; slide ring over tip and screw onto coupler.
*Screw coupler onto filled bottle.
*Hold bottle with thumbs at bottom and fingertips on top. Steadily squeeze thumbs and fingers together to compress bottle and dispense frosting.

So it does sound like you remove the tips first!
 
the tips are the same (and interchangable) with Wilton tips... it is the same as any other bag decorator that you use a tip with. there are all different diameters, shapes ....and I think that my mind just went to the gutter!
 
tisk tisk Jennifer :p
 
sarahmarie said:
yeah, so why not just use a wilton bag? i have decorated cookies with a ziploc freezer bag and a tip once.

The reason I don't use pastry bags (and I have several of the darn things around here!!) is that they are a pain in the butt to clean. I am a big believer in my dishwasher and bags don't lend themselves very well to the dishwasher.

That, and being terrorized by them in school!!

I have a set of bottles that I got before the stop sell took effect and actually like them alot for decorating cookies, etc. My youngest GrD really likes them!!

Plus, they take other wilton tips, and they are just so darn cute!!
 
I fill mine up with the easy accent decorator :) I did a mini cake show with the prep bowls and everybody had a blast (adults and kids). I demostrated how easy it was to fill the bottles with the Bismarck Tip, how easy it was to make mini microwavable cakes in the prep bowls, and how easy it was to use the serrated bread knife to trim off the excess cake so I could set my prep bowls flat on the cooling rack to cool before decorating :) This really boosted my sales and I got a lot of bookings. I know what works for some, doesn't work for others, but I wanted to share :)
 
I have the decorator bottles and found that filling them with icing is messy
with a spoon or knife. It seems silly to dirty the EAD just to fill the bottles.
I was wondering if the flexible funnels would work. I don't have them so I can't try it. But it seems like you should be able to put them on the bottles and use a spoon to fill them with icing. Then use the spoon to force the icing down into the bottle. Can somebody try this?
 
jenniferknapp said:
the tips are the same (and interchangable) with Wilton tips... it is the same as any other bag decorator that you use a tip with. there are all different diameters, shapes ....and I think that my mind just went to the gutter!
Just had to make me laugh at 6 in the morning, didn't 'ya, lol. You naughty girl you.
 
A friend of mine puts her icing on the stove (not the element) just to warm a bit (suppose you could put it in the microwave for 30 secs as well) while the cake is baking and it softens so it's able to be poured. Then she puts it in the fridge for a short time to become thick again. I haven't tried it but she has a few times and it's worked.
 
the tips come off and if you have the standard sized Wilton tips they ARE interchangable.
 
Karen Hodge said:
I have the decorator bottles and found that filling them with icing is messy
with a spoon or knife. It seems silly to dirty the EAD just to fill the bottles.
I was wondering if the flexible funnels would work. I don't have them so I can't try it. But it seems like you should be able to put them on the bottles and use a spoon to fill them with icing. Then use the spoon to force the icing down into the bottle. Can somebody try this?
I tried to fill a bottle with a funnel and it did not work. The icing wasn't liquidy enough. I would warm it first, then fill, then cool. It would probably work that way...
 
I tried to use the funnels and shove it in with the skinny scraper and my experiences were the same as Beth's. It just made a bigger mess and didn't accomplish much!
 
Pampered Chef's solution is to take a sandwich bag, fill it with the frosting and cut a hole in one corner and squeeze the frosting into the bottle - If I am going to do that I'm just going to skip the decorator bottle step. You can put a tip on the sandwich bag (there are some with an inner piece that screws into the tip).

I thought these would be great but so far... I don't show them but they sure do sell!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #27
Well I am getting some later this week so I will try the butterknife tip and let y'all know! Thanks again!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you fill decorator bottles with liquids?

To fill decorator bottles with liquids, first remove the cap and any inner seal. Use a funnel to pour the liquid into the bottle, ensuring not to overfill. Leave some space at the top to allow for expansion and to prevent spills when replacing the cap. Once filled, securely replace the cap and store the bottle upright.

Can I use decorator bottles for thick sauces?

Yes, you can use decorator bottles for thick sauces, but it's recommended to use a funnel with a wider opening to accommodate the thicker consistency. If the sauce is too thick, you may need to thin it slightly with a bit of water or oil to make it easier to pour.

What types of liquids can I put in decorator bottles?

Decorator bottles are versatile and can be used for a variety of liquids, including oils, vinegars, dressings, sauces, and even syrups. Just ensure that the liquid is compatible with the material of the bottle and that it can be stored safely.

How do I clean decorator bottles before filling them?

To clean decorator bottles, wash them with warm, soapy water and a bottle brush to remove any residue. Rinse thoroughly to ensure no soap remains. For a deeper clean, you can soak them in a mixture of vinegar and water. Allow the bottles to air dry completely before filling them.

Can I decorate the bottles after filling them?

Yes, you can decorate the bottles after filling them, but it's best to wait until the contents have settled to avoid spills. You can use labels, ribbons, or paint to personalize your bottles. Just ensure that any decorations do not interfere with the bottle's functionality or safety.

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