I get lots of questions on what kind of tools I use in my YouTube videos, so I thought I would take the time to review some of them for people who are interested in learning more. This video is focusing on Fondant Mats.
Using a fondant mat is super important if you are not one of the lucky (aka rich) people who have a fondant sheeter. I use my fondant mat to roll out fondant for covering cakes, making fondant/gum paste creations, and I have also used it for pastry and sugar cookie work.
In the video, I show you three different fondant mats:
- Wilton Roll and Cut mat
- Fat Daddio’s 24″ x 36″ silicone fondant mat
- Ateco 24 x 36 Inch silicone fondant mat
I started out using the Wilton mat, and found it great for small fondant projects, and small cake coverings. One thing that always had frustrated me though was the fact that the mat wouldn’t stay put. It would move around on the counter and the edges started to roll and crease. Overall, it was too small to continue to use it to cover cakes.
Having felt that I had outgrown the Wilton mat, I bought the Fat Daddio’s and I am still using it. It is slightly lighter than the Ateco one, which makes it easier to lift to cover cakes. The Fat Daddio’s is has some grading marks (1″ increments), but as it doesn’t cover the whole mat, it isn’t very useful in my opinion. It stays where you put it, so rolling out fondant or dough is an easy task. The mat surface is smooth and doesn’t crease.
The Ateco mat is the heaviest mat of the lot, and it has the same benefits that the Fat Daddio’s mat does . . . stays in place, is large enough to roll out large amounts of fondant to cover large cakes, and it’s surface is smooth. I like having a back up mat in case something were to happen to my main one, and it is nice to have a bright colour to film videos on.
Overall, if you are looking for a mat for small projects that are few and far between, you may find yourself happy with the Wilton mat. However, if you are a frequent cake decorator, you will find an investment in either mat a solid one, which will make your projects a little bit easier.
I hope this review helps! If you have any questions, feel free to let me know!
