Hi everyone! I’m new to this site…just joined today :-) I’ve done a lot of research on airbrushes and actually taught a class on them at my local cake supply store…from what to look for to how to clean them and how to use them….so I’ll try to keep this post brief. I do have additional information so if you still have questions, please feel free to contact me :-)
When it comes to airbrushes, a lot of the time you get what you pay for…with that said though, it also depends on what you want to be able to do with the airbrush. Personally I have a Kopykake Airmaster Pro and I absolutely love it. Here are some things to look for:
There are MANY brands of airbrushes and prices range from as low as $80 and as high as $500+. Common brands/models include: Airmaster, Kroma-Jet, Bakery Crafts, Badger, Aztec, and many others
Regardless of the brand or model of the airbrush, they all require two main components: the compressor and the airbrush gun.
The airbrush gun moves the color one of two ways: gravity feed or siphon feed. Most cake decorating systems are “gravity feed”. Siphon fed systems have a tenancy to waste color because you can’t get all of the color out of the bottle and take more time to refill than a gravity fed system.
Another important feature to consider is the PSI (pounds per square inch). The PSI varies by airbrush. Systems go as low as “0” and as high as “55”. You don’t want too high of a psi because it could literally blow your icing off the cake or make dent or hole in your fondant…7-10 PSI is ideal for cake decorating.
Other terms you may hear regarding airbrushing is: Single or Dual Action. With single action airbrushes pull back on the trigger for air only, the paint flow is adjusted separately with the nozzle on the compressor, usually with your other hand. With double action airbrushes you push down on the button for that air and pull it back at the same time to adjust the paint flow. The paint flow is regulated by the needle moving back and forth in the tip.
Sandy T
