Hi there! I’m thinking of buying a heat gun to prevent my royal icing from sagging. Any suggestions, tips, warnings, etc.?
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Hi, Kayte, Congrats on making your first post. I look forward to many more to come!
Don't get a heat gun. Get a food dehydrator if you want a tool to quick-set your icing. A dehydrator dries at a lower (more controllable) temperature, and you can place many cookies in it (or in front of it) and let them go on their own for a bit (no need to stand around waving a heat gun).
Thanks! I have an InstaPot with a dehydrator setting. Will that work? Do you have any tips for how I would use that?
@Kayte posted:Thanks! I have an InstaPot with a dehydrator setting. Will that work? Do you have any tips for how I would use that?
I have no experience with the Instapot, but my guess is it is too small and would be a pain to get cookies in and out of because it is deep. The best food dehydrators for cookies have several broad trays that slide in and out from the front (easy access), and can accommodate many cookies. However, I dry mine in front of an open dehydrator (Excalibur brand), about 1 foot away, because even with the dehydrator on its lowest setting (95F), it can sometimes get too hot, causing small areas of icing to over-inflate (puff up) and crack. All for now - I am on vacation and will respond more if needed after December 1.
@Julia M. Usher posted:I have no experience with the Instapot, but my guess is it is too small and would be a pain to get cookies in and out of because it is deep. The best food dehydrators for cookies have several broad trays that slide in and out from the front (easy access), and can accommodate many cookies. However, I dry mine in front of an open dehydrator (Excalibur brand), about 1 foot away, because even with the dehydrator on its lowest setting (95F), it can sometimes get too hot, causing small areas of icing to over-inflate (puff up) and crack. All for now - I am on vacation and will respond more if needed after December 1.
Wait. I just read this. I have a dehydrator with a rear fan and 5 trays. (LEM brand). I’m still trying to figure out the best way to use it. Are you saying that you do not slide the tray in when using? Apologies if I’m just colossally confused here.
@LisaF posted:Wait. I just read this. I have a dehydrator with a rear fan and 5 trays. (LEM brand). I’m still trying to figure out the best way to use it. Are you saying that you do not slide the tray in when using? Apologies if I’m just colossally confused here.
Yes, I actually take the door off mine and place my cookies on a tray about 12 inches in front of the dehydrator so the fan blows over them at a greater distance. I've had rippling and cracking of the icing at times when placed inside. People do this differently though, so you'll want to experiment and do what works best for you. Obviously, if you can load more into trays inside the dehydrator, it's more efficient, but I am not doing many cookies at a time and don't want to risk damaging the icing.
@Julia M. Usher posted:Yes, I actually take the door off mine and place my cookies on a tray about 12 inches in front of the dehydrator so the fan blows over them at a greater distance. I've had rippling and cracking of the icing at times when placed inside. People do this differently though, so you'll want to experiment and do what works best for you. Obviously, if you can load more into trays inside the dehydrator, it's more efficient, but I am not doing many cookies at a time and don't want to risk damaging the icing.
Thanks for the tip Julia!