On 5/25/2022 at 9:56 AM, rrigreid said:This is the third pastry brush I'm using to brush simple syrup in my cakes and the hairs on the brush come off and stick to the cake. is there a pastry brush you own that doesn't shed its hair? I am willing to pay big bucks for a good one instead of these ones I get at the grocery store. This last one was from Sur La Table too. I'm taking it back. Please share your tips if you have something else you use to brush syrup into cakes with if you don't use a brush also. Thanks a bunch!!!!!!!!
I agree with @EatingBen re bristle brushes. My main basting brush is a 1 1/2-inch bristle brush from an art store. I once was an art teacher in high school. I have had it so long the ferrel cracked and fell of the handle but never a lost a bristle. A little Gorilla glue and it is back in service.I keep it clean by using dish washing soap alone at first. If there is no water at first, he soap will emulsify any oil in the mixture you used if you scrub it in the palm of your hand and take care to work it all the way down to the base of the bristles. Then wash out the soap with warm water. ( when I was in elementary school some guy came to class. I don't remember anything he said except to not wash brushes in hot water because it will make the hair fall out) I don't think that applies too much any more. Good quality art brushes are made better than that but to this day I don't use hot water on brushes. For a long time I was afraid to use hot water when I shampooed in the shower. 
I have tried silicone brushes and don't like them. The glob on the baste instead of giving a more controlled baste.
