Embrace 19 Posted June 9, 2013 Hi all, Some of you may have seen my previous topic about my first time making gel food. I tried my first batch on Friday, buy it didn't have enough gelatine (only put in 1 sachet). I tried again yesterday and added 2 sachets hoping this would help. I have just tried to get the gel food out of the fridge and its a bit better but it's still really 'mushy'. I can hardly cut it without it going into a mush. It breaks up really easily in the tank as well. Can I save this batch? Is there a way of melting the gel back down and adding another sachet of gelatine to it? Will this impact the food? Thanks in advance Elise x 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnalex 13,633 Posted June 9, 2013 You can try to reheat it and then melt more gelatin in, if you like, but it might be easier and less messy to start over. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel 5,668 Posted June 9, 2013 I wonder if you could heat it gently in a bain-marie? (How you melt chocolate over simmering water.) 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Embrace 19 Posted June 9, 2013 I wonder if you could heat it gently in a bain-marie? (How you melt chocolate over simmering water.) Yes that would probably be the safest way, to stop it burning! I will probably give it a try as I'm out of vegetables at be moment so can't remake it Should I Just pour the gelatine onto the melted gel? Or do I need to dissolve in water first? Thanks for your help 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel 5,668 Posted June 9, 2013 I would dissolve it in a little bit of water first. In my experience gelatine doesn't always set properly if not dissolved beforehand. This assumption, however, comes from making marshmallows, not gel food. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Embrace 19 Posted June 9, 2013 Haha well I'll take any advice a get! Shall I put in another 1 sachet or 2?? Sooooo many questions lol! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel 5,668 Posted June 9, 2013 That will depend on how much liquid a pack of gelatine sets, and how firm you need it to be. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Embrace 19 Posted June 9, 2013 That will depend on how much liquid a pack of gelatine sets, and how firm you need it to be. One packet sets 1 pint of liquid. There is already 2 packs in there and it's a bit too mushy for my liking (uncuttable at the moment!!) so I want it quite solid. Thanks for helping me 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel 5,668 Posted June 9, 2013 I would try 1 1/2 packets if by "uncuttable" you mean viscous. If, however, it doesn't seem too far off from setting, 1 packet might do the trick. I'd say it's better to add a little more than a little less. Sorry I can't be of more help. After awhile you'll get a feel of how much gelatine you need. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Embrace 19 Posted June 9, 2013 I would try 1 1/2 packets if by "uncuttable" you mean viscous. If, however, it doesn't seem too far off from setting, 1 packet might do the trick. I'd say it's better to add a little more than a little less. Sorry I can't be of more help. After awhile you'll get a feel of how much gelatine you need. Thanks you have been a great help! Will give it a try later on Will probably add 1.5 sachets and dissolve it in a bit of water. It recommends dissolving in 150mls per sachet so shall I do 150mls for 1.5 sachets or use less liquid? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel 5,668 Posted June 9, 2013 150mls should suffice; it's not a particular large quantity of water anyway. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Embrace 19 Posted June 9, 2013 Just remade the mix! But I forgot to add the dechlorinator to the 150mls water . Have I ruined it?? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Embrace 19 Posted June 10, 2013 The gel is the perfect consistency now . Only problem is, I'm not sure if I can use it as I forgot the dechlorinator 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnalex 13,633 Posted June 10, 2013 The gel is the perfect consistency now . Only problem is, I'm not sure if I can use it as I forgot the dechlorinator The boiling should have driven off the chlorine, although people usually boil the water for about 20-30 minutes. In any case, the amount should be so miniscule by now that it should not pose any sort of problems. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Embrace 19 Posted June 10, 2013 The gel is the perfect consistency now . Only problem is, I'm not sure if I can use it as I forgot the dechlorinator The boiling should have driven off the chlorine, although people usually boil the water for about 20-30 minutes. In any case, the amount should be so miniscule by now that it should not pose any sort of problems. Thank you . Fish loved it, went down a treat!!! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rebecca Hampshire 2,103 Posted June 10, 2013 Yay! Glad you rescued it and your fish loved it! Yummy. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel 5,668 Posted June 11, 2013 Yah! Glad you got everything fixed, Elise. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Embrace 19 Posted June 11, 2013 Yah! Glad you got everything fixed, Elise. Thanks so much for your help really appreciate it! May have to remelt some of the batch though . put them in ice cube trays to set and they are quite deep, some of the gelatin has risen to the top leaving the rest a bit mushy! Got enough to keep me going for about 3 months now though!! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
