Adding water to Fondant?

[Beeline]

My existing fondant on both hives is running low and will need replacing this weekend. I would choose a better time to do it, if I could, rather than in sub-zero temps but time doesn't permit.

I've got a 12.5 kg slab of bakers fondant which I am yet to open. Would it be ok if I added a little warm water to the fondant and work it into a more saturated paste before placing in each hive. Given the current temps I thought any assistance in providing some water may be appreciated by them or do I run the run risk that it may go off before being fully consumed. At what point does fondant go off.

Thanks.

 

[Frisbee]

You won't be able to mix water with the fondant unless you heat it first. Bit tedious really as 12.5kg is a large amount for a standard domestic kitchen. You would need to warm it in a double boiler (to prevent burning) add the water and then cool it, not really practical. Just cut your fondant into slices, it's easier to handle, wrap each slice in cling and then expose a surface for the bees to get at.

Frisbee

 

[Beeline]

No - only was considering cutting off two slices and working those smaller pieces with some additional water, not the entire slab.

 

[dpearce4]

fondant wont go off it will just get harder and harder as the water evaporates from it. its only sugar.

 

[Rosti]

.... but if we get a warm spell and you have localised higher water activity you do stand a chance of it going mouldy at that point.

Remember the cluster will be at around 30 all being well and that heat can take the same route as the bees up to your exposed fondant. I would just give them the slabs, with regard water there is likely condensation on the inside of the side walls through respiration and convection anyway. R

 

[richardbees]

Beeline, I understand your thinking but it's not necessary as the fondant is readily usable..

Either just cut off a 2cm slab, wrap in cling film, cut a slit in the bottom and put on the feed hole ----- or (what I'm doing in this arctic weather) flatten it out and press down onto a QE and put directly on the frames under the cover board.

Wrap the rest of the block air-tight and keep chilled.......

 

[Hombre]

Keep it covered and stick it behind a door somewhere. The front door is just fine.

I suggest that you ensure that the slices of fondant are covered to stop evaporation. You could spray it with water if you felt that it was exceptionally dry.

I put fondant between the top bars and the bottom of a feeder, so need to roll it pretty thin, between a folded sheet of greaseproof paper. At the point of delivery I hack the under surface with my hive tool so that there is plenty of access for the bees. That way it is unlikely to melt and run between the top bars, as can happen if the fondant is unsupported.

 

[Beeline]

Thanks all. Saved me a bit of work. This time I think I'll use the cling film method over the hole but allow for an extension of fondant from the block down to the top of the frame to ensure they make contact.