Hi all,
I was just wondering how you all transport your cakes and what you use for boxes. I have found that the cake boxes they sell at my local store are WAY too small. They don't close and i'm not a fan of leaving the cake exposed...

thoughts...

I like to spend the money on a box that is a little bit more solid than the cake boxes. I do use them, but I sometimes will put them in a box that will hold up to movement. I have thought about getting custom boxes for my wedding cakes that I can use again and again. Find larger boxes and do some experimenting with the sizes. When you find the right size, get some made. Anyway, I hope you find what you are looking for. Maybe someone will have a better idea than me.

I usually don't have a problem finding boxes for a double layer cake. If it is a stacked cake, I usually tape the lid open, and cover it with Saran wrap. ( I usually have to tape it as well) This works pretty well most of the time.

I transport in inverted plastic boxes from an office supply store. The "lid" becomes my base. I put a layer of non-skid rug backing on it. I place the cake on that, and then invert the clear "bottom" over the whole thing. I have 2 sizes, depending on what kind of cake I've made. Has worked very well so far.

I either use cake boxes or boxes from my local office supply store. I find that the office supply stores sell boxes that are 14x14x14. It worked perfectly for my stacked cake.

I either use cake boxes or boxes from my local office supply store. I find that the office supply stores sell boxes that are 14x14x14. It worked perfectly for my stacked cake.

i love the plastic upside down box idea. i will be trying that. but, what if the customer is taking the cake away?

well, you can always use a deposit on it - the boxes really aren't that expensive. Some day I hope I can have a business large enough to justify custom boxes, but for now, this is the best thing I have been able to come up with.

As far as those clear boxes. I love that Idea. Are they the milky clear totes? Even if not - do you think it is still possible to use them and are they food safe?

If I can that would be cool - I can use my acrylic paint and put my logo & number on the outside of it.

i like the clear box idea too. inever thought of that. thanks!

What do the clear boxes you all are talking about.
What are they normally used for or what are they called?
Thank you.

I think they're talking about plastic tote containers (i.e. Rubbermaid, Sterlite,... brand?). One thing to consider is if you use plastic, it traps any moisture in and may create condensation...especially if it's hot/humid out. I have made my own boxes by taking a box a little larger than my cake board, taping the bottom really well, and cut off the top half if the box is too tall. I then use the top section as my lid. You may have to cut a partial slit down one of the corner edges to get them to fit one over the other.

When I began cake decorating, I decided I would use as few disposable items as possible. I believe that our children should not have to deal with OUR trash in their future. For almost 20 years now, I have used clear Rubbermaid storage boxes (flipped over, lid becomes base) and foil-covered plywood cake boards to present my cakes to my clients.

I have never required a client to pay a deposit on the boxes. And in all those years, only 2 have been damaged (one broken by being sat on, the other melted on a hot stove), and those clients paid for replacement boxes. I have about 25 cakeboxes, in 2 sizes. The large size is large enough to hold a half sheet cake, or almost any character cake. The small size can hold a quarter sheet cake or a small character cake.

My DH cuts and sands the plywood cake boards and I cover them with white plastic Contact, and then heavy duty foil. There is about 1/4"-1/2" total extra room around the edges of the board when the lid is on, so it fits but is not too snug. Oh, and I provide a smooth edged server to cut and serve the cake, one that will not cut into my board. One other plus: little eyes can look at the cake through the box, but little fingers cannot touch, until it is time

Those boxes are not too expensive and they last forever. I know they have paid for themselves many times over. The boxes are completely washable. The boards get the foil stripped off and are then the plastic covered board gets wiped down.

My clients all know that I need my box, cakeboard and server returned within a week, and I give a reminder call after a week if they have not. I can also tell them if I need the box returned sooner, if I am having an especially busy week. I have never had a client complain about the need to return my stuff. They know they can continue to get my cakes (which they love) when they follow my request. And I have had several clients for over 16 years. I also never deliver. Win/Win situation!

I have never had a problem with condensation. I never refrigerate or freeze my cakes. My clients tell me they love how fresh the cake stays in the box. Cardboard boxes absorb moisture, yes, but that means they dry out the cake.

Hey, glad to read your response. Does your icing ever get too moist or look like it's starting to melt in the plastic boxes in warm weather? You have a good point about the cardboard drying out the cake. Would this also be true if you put the cake in a box then cover w/plastic bag? I had to do this with my very first wedding cake job that I had to cut & assemble to = 16x16, 12x12, and 8x8 squares since I couldn't find a cake box big & sturdy enough for the large one.

This thread is exactly what I needed! I will have to make a trip to the dollar store to check out their sizes of storage containers. Wonderful, and very practicle idea!!!

Earlier in this thread I described how I use Rubbermaid storage boxes for cake boxes, instead of using cardboard boxes. The Rubbermaid boxes will hold only up to a half sheet, so I have been looking for something bigger for wedding tiers.

I was just at Office Depot making copies when I saw a display of big plastic storage boxes. The ones which got my attention are 18"x18"x6" - perfect for transporting anyting up to 16" wide wedding cake tiers. I'd flip them over and have the clear base be the top and the lid would be the bottom, which has a snap on latch on 2 sides. Very sturdy also!

Only bad thing is they are $10 each. In the long run, that probably would not be a bad deal for such a durable, reusable, washable box. I have added 6 of them to my birthday wish list, and I hope my DH gets them for me. If he doesn't, I'll charge them to the credit card

I use the huge plastic totes for delivery, also...but only for huge cakes, or extra long trips/deliveries.

If the cake is for a wedding, I put all of my tools/frosting bags, etc. into one of the totes. I place all the totes into the back of the truck with the seats down, which by some genius of the engineering at Ford, then becomes perfectly level!

On top of the leveled back seats go the non-skid mats, then the totes. On top of each tote goes a duct-taped piece of dry ice. (The cooling effects go DOWN, and keeps the cakes chilly.)

The dry ice comes pre-packed at our local grocery, and if they happen to be out of it, I can always go to the local dry ice dealer with an order.

I don't have trouble with condensation, because the cakes are cold when we start out. Never had a cake slide, and they always arrive in pristine condition. Gluing them down to the boards with buttercream doesn't hurt in that area...

Never lost a box, because I'm the one delivering the cakes.

--Knox--