All of us in childhood were fascinated by colorful roses and monograms of protein and butter cream on birthday cakes. It seemed that this was the work of a real artist. This is partly true, because to decorate a cake, you need skill and inspiration. However, this is not difficult to do, having a special pastry bag and a variety of pastry nozzles. Today they can be bought at any hardware department store or dishware store, and there are very simple products, but there are also professional ones. They have one thing in common - both require a little practice and a full hand.
In order not to get lost in all the variety, consider the main parameters.
Types and materials
All nozzles available for sale can be divided into amateur and professional. The first ones are quite cheap, sold in all stores, as a rule, together with a reusable bag, and their number is limited to 3-5 main types. They are also often made of plastic. It's cheap, but it's worth remembering that even food-grade plastic is lesspreferable in terms of benefits to the body. In addition, plastic can be stained from a very bright cream, and the pattern of such products is too inexpressive, and the result can be disastrous.
Professional confectionery nozzles are usually made of metal - food grade stainless steel, which makes them durable and safer. They are expensive, one piece can cost more than a whole plastic set. However, only with such products you will 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.
Sizes
All pastry bag nozzles have a different size, that is, the diameter of the opening 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 for them. However, different manufacturers may have slightly different markings.
Small and thin is good for making small patterns on the cake, writing words, they are great for icing and decorating gingerbread. With the medium sized nozzle, pastry chefs can decorate a muffin or cupcake with one gesture, while the large ones are designed for voluminous flowers and waves that decorate chic cakes, as well as for depositing dough.
In home use, medium-sized confectionery nozzles are most in demand (size 1M, or 13-14 mm),it is also desirable to have at least one small and one large.
Round nozzles
These attachments are very versatile and fit almost everything. On sale you can find up to 20 types of such products.
The smallest ones, 1 or 1S in size, give a thin line, indispensable in working with icing and in lace painting of gingerbread. They can also make accents in the painting of the cake (hanging threads, dots, lace patterns) and in the detailing of figures (drawing faces and muzzles of animals).
Thin round pastry nozzles for cream up to number 5 are suitable for creating inscriptions and monograms. There are also thin cones with a very long tip - they are convenient for stuffing muffins, cupcakes, donuts and cakes.
Medium round nozzles (eg 2A or 14mm) are used to decorate cupcakes and pipe pasta, while extra large ones are ideal for custard (eclairs and profiteroles) or protein dough (meringues or Kyiv cake).
Nozzles of different shapes
Basic curly confectionery nozzles:
Open star. The most commonly used sizes are from 5 to 18 mm. A larger diameter is suitable for a cupcake cap, a smaller one 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. The small nozzle is ideal for decorating the sides of a cake
French. Such nozzles for a pastry bag differ fromprevious fine ribbed surface pattern
Flower. Nozzles come with a middle, that is, a metal jumper between the petals. Designed for depositing a cream imitating a real flower. There are nozzles without a middle, which is convenient in care
Stripes. Nozzles in the form of strips come in different sizes and textures - from smooth to ribbed. Designed for borders, smooth stripes and shirring
Producers
The most famous manufacturer of confectionery tips can be called the American company Wilton, in its range of about a hundred different products of the highest quality. These are the most affordable nozzles on our market both in terms of price and offers in confectionery stores - 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. More expensive nozzles are produced by the English brand PME, whose products can be recognized by engraving on metal. Cost - from 350 rubles per unit.
As for domestic manufacturers, we can distinguish Tulip confectionery nozzles. This workshop produces large items (up to 23 mm) with its own flower design.
Of the more affordable non-professional nozzles, only a set can be named"Drommar" from IKEA.
