Basic tools for fondant
If you start modelling cake toppers and do not know which basic tools for fondant you need, you probably find useful to read this post.
I bring you a list of tools that I consider basic to start working with fondant, as far as modelling is concerned. You can always replace them with the ones you think are convenient or have on hand. As always, it is subjective, and you will probably prefer others with which you feel more comfortable. I share with you some of the tools that I used or quite similar.
Let’s start with some accessories, which although they are not tools as such, I consider that they are essential.
Accessories
- A silicone or cutting mat. There are made out of different materials and sizes. It is a matter of preference. It is important to use it as yout work surface. That is, you will work on it whenever you go to model. It will help you prevent the fondant pieces from sticking to the table. Some, even, have grids that can be useful. One like this.
- Dummies or polystyrene surfaces. They are essential, since they will serve as a base to hold our figures, and above all, give them a good support by introducing skewers inside them, which would not be possible otherwise.
Basic tools
Let’s move on to the basic tools for fondant. All of them, or almost all of them, can be found in specialized stores.
- Brush for glue: it is relevant to use a soft and thin one. Smooth to avoid leaving marks on the sugar paste and thin to control where you apply glue and how much. In my case I use a water brush pen.
- Scalpel or knife. In this case, I prefer a scalpel. It is more manageable due to its size and you can change the blade whenever necessary. This will be our cutting tool. Check it here.
- Dresden tool: it is the most used modelling tool and for me, the most useful. It has a thin and long tip and a slightly wider and flatter tip. It can give texture, push, shape … it is the most versatile one.
- Ball tool: they can be metal or plastic. If it is plastic, make sure it is of good quality and has no marks on the plastic joint or it will spoil your work. This tool will help you create cavities, form or thinner shapes. These ones are my favourite ones. But I also use this one or this one.
- Wooden skewers: they will be the support and internal structure of our figures.
- Pliers: they will be perfect for cutting skewers or wires. These ones are perfect.
- Wires of different thicknesses: we can hold not very heavy pieces. 20 and 22 gauge my favourites.
- Toothpicks: in my case, I use them mainly for dyeing or as an alternative to the wires. I’ll talk about it in another post.
- Brushes: to shade or paint details. Advisable to get different shapes and thicknesses brushes. They are used to apply powder dust or paint lips, eyebrows, eyelashes … These ones and these ones are on my next purchase.
- Piping nozzles: of different sizes and shapes. They are used to cut forms not available as cutters or, even, give textures. Check my favourite ones here and here.
- Geometric metal cutters: especially useful when they are sets of different sizes. The most used are circles, squares and triangles. This set is the best one. Maybe you like this one too.
- Rolling pin: to about to 20 cm in length. It is the most comfortable and practical size to work as long as we do not have to cover a cake. Here.
- Scissors: very usefult to cut fondant. Find it here.
Of course there are many more tools, but these can be very, very useful to begin with. I will be adding other tools and how to use them so you can choose which one best matches your needs.
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