Cook's Tools Cookie and Cupcake Decorating Set (16-pc.) by Kuhn Rikon

The idea is great but trying to put the icing into these containers is very time consuming and messy...not sure that I will be using these very much.

only got partial order, will probably not buy from Pillsbury again

I bought this so I could decorate some cupcakes for my son's birthday party, and I figured it was a good investment as he would be able to decorate some day with me, using these (as they seem simple enough for kids). I only used the push-down decorators (not the squeeze bottles), but I was very disappointed in them.

The tip popped off sometimes, and icing would fall out all over the cupcake. I have to assume that I was just not screwing the tip on entirely, so it must be partially my fault, but I was being careful (esp after it happened the first time), and it still happened. So not sure what was up with that.

It takes a long time to dry, after washing, as you can imagine. I rinsed them right away and then put in the dishwasher, and they seemed clean enough afterward, so that wasn't an issue. But it took days to dry.

The biggest annoyance was just that you could not fit much icing in the tube. If you are doing a couple cupcakes or a tiny cake, or you aren't trying to do anything fancy with it, then it would probably be fine. But I was doing 4 dozen cupcakes, and making flowers etc. on the whole top of the cupcake, and had to keep stopping to refill the bottle after maybe 4 cupcakes or so. And refilling is a huge pain. My MIL and husband were helping me and they got in a decent routine of filling, but it still took them a while. I was usually waiting for them to fill it after I'd iced whatever I could each time.

For something super cheap, this would be fine. Like a kids' decorating kit or something. and the squirt bottles probably work well for writing or whatever. But I think $30+ for this is too much.