AirPen FAQs

AirPen Piping Dispenser Instructions

What types of icings can be used in the AirPen?

All types of icings can be used through the AirPen. Sift all mixture ingredients to help ensure consistency.

What voltage or plug is required?

The AirPen is 100V – 240V and normally supplied with a two-prong adapter as found in the US. For Amazon UK customers we include a three-prong plug. For use in countries with other plug configurations, attach the specific locally obtainable adapter plug.

How do I make thinner lines?

Use a lighter pressure of your fingertip over the hole on the pen, or twist on a smaller tip.

How do I make thicker lines?

Use a more firm pressure when covering the hole with your fingertip, or twist on a larger tip.

What should I do if the tip is clogged?

The particles in your mixture need to be accommodated with a larger tip. Be sure to sift all ingredients when preparing a mixture to use in the AirPen. Twist off the tip and place it in water to soak. Twist on a larger tip.  After soaking, use the plunger to force water in and out of the cartridge to clean the tip.

My finger is over, the hole but nothing comes out?

Notice that the hole is a long, oval, slanted hole.  Your fingertip needs to completely cover the hole for the AirPen to operate.  Also, make sure that the tip is clean (you should be able to see light through the hole in the tip).

How do I draw nice smooth lines without squiggles from my hand shaking?

Place the heel of your hand directly on the table for support, and write just as if you are writing with a pen. Touch the surface with the Pen tip. Unlike piping, you make contact with the surface when you use the Pen, just like writing with a Pen.

How do I start and finish drawing nice smooth lines without lumps of icing at the ends?

Write as if you are writing with a pen.  Touch the surface with the Pen tip, then place your fingertip over the hole at the desired pressure and draw your design.  To finish lines smoothly, remove your fingertip from the hole before removing the Pen tip from the surface.   Unlike piping, you make contact with the surface when you use the Pen, just like writing with a Pen.

Can I use the Pen on a non-crusting buttercream?

You can use the AirPen on any surface. After you learn to use the Pen, you may lift the tip slightly above the surface to draw lines, thus being able to write on any surface.

What can I store overnight in the cartridges?

Piping gel, chocolate, and some buttercreams. If left to rest, SugarVeil will need to be re-beaten every few hours or so prior to use, so best is to clean SugarVeil-filled cartridges at the end of the day.

How do I use a thick buttercream in the AirPen?

Fill a few cartridges so that you can rotate them in and out of a folded heating pad to keep the buttercream fluid.

How can I use candy melts in the AirPen?

Adding a little solid fat (Crisco, Trex, or Paramount Crystals) when heating gives you more working time.  Use 1/4 tsp. to 1/4 c. candy melts.  Rest the cartridges in a folded heating padso mixture will not stiffen.

Can I use the AirPen to decorate the sides of the cake?

Yes, you can use the Pen directly on the cake, as well as for tracing intricate patterns with icing onto greased parchment. When using SugarVeil, these pieces will “set”, so you can peel the decorations from the parchment and place them onto a cake.

How much will be AirPen hold?

Each cartridge holds a little less than 1 ounce, but this goes quite a long way when drawing fine lines and dots. The AirPen is used to add fine detail to decorated cakes.