All of us in childhood were fascinated by multi-colored roses and monograms of protein and butter cream on holiday cakes. It seemed that this was the work of a real artist. This is partly true, because to decorate the cake, you need skill and inspiration. However, it is not difficult to do this, having a special pastry bag and a variety of pastry nozzles. Today they can be bought at any department store or tableware store, and there are very simple products, and there are also professional ones. They are united by one thing - both of them require little practice and a full hand.
In order not to get lost in all its diversity, we consider the main parameters.
Types and materials
All nozzles available on sale can be divided into amateur and professional. The first ones are quite cheap, they are sold in all stores, usually with a reusable bag, and their number is limited to 3-5 main types. They are also often made of plastic. It is cheap, but it is worth remembering that even food-grade plastic is less preferable in terms of benefits for the body. In addition, plastic can be painted with a very bright cream, and the pattern of such products is too inexpressive, and the result may be disastrous.
Professional confectionery nozzles are made, as a rule, of metal - from food stainless steel, which makes them more durable and safer. They are expensive, one piece can be more expensive than a whole plastic set. However, only with such products will you get a predictable result. Also, professional nozzles are often sold in sets in a special case, and the number of pieces in them can exceed 50.
Dimensions
All nozzles for a pastry bag have a different size, that is, the diameter of the hole for the cream. The volume of the future pattern and the thickness of the line depend on this. All sizes of professional nozzles are marked with numbers and Latin letters (S, M, L) or the hole size in millimeters is indicated to them. However, different manufacturers may have slightly different markings.
Small and thin it’s good to make small patterns on the cake, write words, they are great for icing and for decorating gingerbread cookies. With the help of a medium-sized nozzle, confectioners are able to decorate a muffin or a cupcake with one gesture, and large ones are created for voluminous flowers and waves decorating chic cakes, as well as for dough seating.
In home use, confectionery nozzles of medium size (size 1M, or 13-14 mm) are most in demand, it is also desirable to have at least one small and one large.
Round nozzles
These nozzles are very versatile and suitable for almost everything. On sale you can find up to 20 types of such products.
The smallest, in the size of 1 or 1S, give a thin line, indispensable in working with aising and in the lace painting of gingerbread cookies. They can also make accents in the painting of the cake (hanging threads, dots, lace patterns) and in the detailing of the figures (drawing faces and faces of animals).
Thin round pastry nozzles for cream up to 5 numbers are suitable for creating inscriptions and monograms. There are also thin cones with a very long tip - they are convenient for filling muffins, cupcakes, donuts and cakes.
Medium-sized round nozzles (e.g. 2A, or 14 mm) are used to decorate cupcakes and macarons, and very large ones are ideal for custard (eclairs and profiteroles) or protein dough (meringue or Kiev cake).
Nozzles of various shapes
The main curly pastry nozzles:
- Open star. The most commonly used sizes are from 5 to 18 mm. A larger diameter is suitable for a cap of a cupcake, a smaller diameter for decorating a cake, they can also be used to plant meringue or marshmallows.
- Closed star. Its contour turns out to be more pronounced and voluminous, which is popular in decorating cupcakes. A small nozzle is ideal for decorating the sides of the cake.
- French Such nozzles for a pastry bag differ from the previous ones with a small ribbed surface of the picture.
- Flower. Nozzles are with a middle, that is, a metal jumper between the petals. Designed for sedimentation cream, simulating a real flower. There are nozzles without a middle, which is convenient to care for.
- Stripes. Nozzles in the form of strips come in different sizes and textures - from smooth to ribbed. Designed for decoration borders, creating smooth stripes and corrugation.
Manufacturers
The most famous manufacturer of confectionery nozzles can be called the American company Wilton, in its assortment of about a hundred diverse products of the highest quality. These are the most affordable nozzles in our market both in price and in offers in pastry shops - the prices are about 250 rubles apiece.
The Korean brand Ateco also has a large selection of nozzles. The cost of their products is about 200 rubles apiece. The more expensive nozzles are produced by the English brand PME, its products can be recognized by engraving on metal. Cost - from 350 rubles per unit.
As for domestic manufacturers, we can distinguish the Tulip confectionery nozzles. This workshop produces large items (up to 23 mm in size) with its own flower design.
Of the more affordable unprofessional attachments, I can only name the IKEA Drommar kit.