Sugar Dot Surveys: Methods for Speed-Drying Icing

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Welcome to the first Sugar Dot Surveys! Every other month, I'll be posting a survey to gather your input on a specific cookie decorating or business topic. Once the survey ends, I'll compile the results and write a summary post here on Cookie Connection.

There's so much that we can learn from each other!

Please share this survey with your cookie friends around the globe so that we can get input from as many cookiers as possible! I plan to start compiling results on December 2, so be sure to answer this survey before then.

Let's get started! I'd like to find out if you use any tools to speed up the drying of your icing. If you do use a particular tool, I'd like to know why. What are the pros and cons of using that tool? Likewise, if you avoid certain tools for speed-drying, or don't speed-dry at all, I want to know that too!

Thank you in advance for participating! And have fun!

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS (PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU TAKE THE SURVEY!):
(1) The open-ended (write-in) responses below are limited to 255 characters. If you run out of space on any question, feel free to elaborate in the comments area under this survey, but please identify the question to which you're responding.
(2) Unfortunately, our survey software will not allow you to skip questions. You must answer every one, or the system won't accept any of your responses. If a question does not apply to you, simply select "N/A" (not applicable) in multiple choice questions or write "N/A" in fill-in-the-blank questions. Thanks!

ADDENDUM (February 15, 2019): Read the recap article summarizing the survey results here.

Q1. Do you use any tools/equipment for speed-drying your icing?

Yes, I use one primary tool for this purpose

Yes, I use more than one tool for this purpose

No, I don't speed-dry my icing

Q2. If you answered "no" to Q1, why don't you speed-dry your icing?

(IMPORTANT: If you answered "Yes" to Q1, please answer this question "N/A" for "not applicable". As noted above in the survey instructions, our survey software will not allow you to skip questions. You must answer every one, or the system won't accept any of your responses. So, if ANY question here does not apply to you, simply select "N/A" in multiple choice questions or write "N/A" in fill-in-the-blank questions. Thanks!)

Your Opinion Required

Q3. What tool(s) do you use to speed-dry your icing? Check all that apply.

(If you don't see your tool, please choose "Other" and fill in the blank.)

Dehydrator

Ceiling fan

Table fan

Portable space heater (tabletop or floor)

Low-temperature oven

Heat gun

Heat lamp

N/A - None; I don't speed-dry my icing

Other

Q5. Referring to your primary speed-drying tool selected in Q3/Q4, for WHAT SPECIFIC REASONS do you use it? Check all that apply.

(If you don't see your reason, please choose "Other" and fill in the blank.)

To dry the icing all the way through so I can quickly package my cookies

To dry the icing all the way through so I can quickly move on to decorating on top

To dry just the outer surface of the icing so I can quickly move on to decorating on top

To enhance the sheen of the icing

To prevent craters (holes or low spots) from forming in the icing

To prevent bleeding (dark colors spreading into adjacent lighter colors)

Other

Q6. Referring to your primary speed-drying tool selected in Q3/Q4, HOW do you typically use it?

(For example: If you use a dehydrator - at what temperature setting, for how long, etc.?)

Your Opinion Required

Q7. Are there any circumstances where you do not use your primary tool mentioned in Q3/Q4 for speed-drying, and instead use another tool or no tool at all? Or are there conditions under which you modify your typical speed-drying practices mentioned in Q6? Please explain. If you run out of space, please use the comments area below the survey to elaborate.

(For example: I don't use my dehydrator to speed-dry large cookies greater than about 4 inches, because . . . OR I speed-dry small cookies (less than 1 inch) for less time, because . . .)

Your Opinion Required

Q8. What are the pros (advantages) of your primary speed-drying tool mentioned in Q3/Q4?

Your Opinion Required

Q9. What are the cons (downsides) of your primary speed-drying tool mentioned in Q3/Q4?

Your Opinion Required

Q10. If you selected more than one tool in Q3, WHY (under what circumstances) do you use each tool for speed-drying? And why is the tool you selected in Q4 your primary/preferred tool?

Your Opinion Required

Q11. Is there any tool you avoid for speed-drying? If so, what is it, and why do you avoid it?

Your Opinion Required

Q12. How would you classify your climate?

(If you don't see the best description, please choose "Other" and fill in the blank.)

Extremely humid most of the year

Extremely humid at times

Only moderately humid most of the year

Generally dry most of the year

Other

Q13. How long have you been decorating cookies?

Less than 1 year

1 - 2 years

3 - 5 years

6 - 10 years

More than 10 years

Posted by SugarDotCookies · 11/11/181:26 AM