Is anyone using or have used plexiglass cake circles instead of the cardboard ones for stacked cakes?
My thinking is I would never have to worry about the cardboard giving away, don't have to cover them with celephane, the cake won't absorb the cardboard taste and they would be very sturdy and not a recurring expense.
I just cut 4 Christmas day but was wondering if other people had tried it or what they thought about the subject .........
A sheet of plexiglass that is 18x24 inches and 9/32nd's thick (almost 1/4") cost me $13.50 and I'm going to be able to get a 12, 10, 8, 7 & 6 inch circle out of it.
There is a thinner version (that costs less) but I didn't want to take a chance with it. I'm sure it would be fine for the smaller tiers that doesn't have the European torte. Or it could always be doubled on the cake.
The only problem I can see is, if you sell the cake how are you going to get the "circle" returned? Will it be included as part of the cake price, and not returned? Or will it be returned as part of the tier dividers, and then included in the contract? It is certain a great solution to the "blasted" cardboard circle.
Sounds like an awesome concept! You could even use a circle larger than your cake and use clear glue to decopage (sp?) some corresponding paper to the underside and it would show through! Hmmm....wheels are turning, which can be dangerous for me! 
Diana
I used 1/4" plexiglass squares for a wedding cake once; they worked great. The problem I had was that it is extremely difficult to put them on pillars -- no feet for pillars to attach to, so you have to be very precise and careful when placing the pillars ... any deviation in proper placement can spell disaster. We used champagne flutes that had been overturned with an icing rose under the bowl of the glass ... very pretty and effective.
I still have mine, and they now are used primarily for displays, sometimes for parties we need a serving piece for. The fact they are clear, with no design whatsoever, makes them ideal for everything from birthdays to weddings to graduations to "naked mile celebration day" or whatever ...... well, you get the picture! 
Personally, I like the material and the sturdiness. I just was quite concerned that someone might bump the cake table and the wedding cake would be history very easily!
Odessa
I bet you could attach something (not sure what yet) to the bottom of the plexi as a "foot" like a cake plate would have. Just use some clear silicone adhesive, like the kind for aquariums and glue it on. Aside from acting as cake plates, I do like the idea of them replacing boards.
We cut it with a scroll or jig saw (depending on what part of the country you live in), then took the rough stuff off with a sanding grinder then finished it off by hand.
We tried using a rotor and a band saw but you have more control with the scroll saw.
It cuts/burns the plexiglass, so after you cut it out you have to smack it to break it apart.
I wasn't thinking about using it for tiered cakes, just stacked cakes. And it would be included like pilars/seperator plates in the contract and would need to be returned.
I've read were people used plexigalss for the cake baord but no where have I seen anyone use it for cake circles between layers.
I've been using plexiglass for awhile and I love it except when I don't get them back! My father also cut me a hole in it so I can hang them up when I don't need them!
I suppose for the central dowel, you could just drill a smalll hole in the middle to put the dowel through.
I am going to have to look at Home Depot for these tonight.
I suppose for the central dowel, you could just drill a smalll hole in the middle to put the dowel through.
I am going to have to look at Home Depot for these tonight.
I'm not sure I would attempt to put a central dowel through. You would have to be absolutely perfect with the plexiglass placement and with the lining up of the cakes. My stacked cakes have been put together on site so I haven't had to worry about it. I guess if you put a big enough hole in the center, you would at least have more leeway. A center circle could be put in using a hole saw (like they use for doorknob holes).
Couldn't you reverse stack them though?
For example: Cut the hole in the plexi glass circles.
Then put your bottom layer on the table lets say a 14". stand a dowel up in the middle. Then slide your 12" over the dowel, and down to place, and so on? So instead of going down through the cake with the dowel, you would be putting the cake on the dowel.
It's early, I'm probably making no sense at all. 
creativecakesbylindsay
I think th reverse stacking would work good idea!
I'm sure you're all quite tired of this question, but I think it's an important one to ask especially if you're doing cakes to sell to unsuspecting consumers....Is it food safe? I'm no expert on plexiglass, but with all the other plastic warnings I would want to make sure it's food grade before I used it. Just a thought!
Amber
I tried doing a web search regarding the saftey of plexiglass with food and the closest I could get was a company that manufactures display cases including those used for pastries, cookies, etc. These cases are made from acrylic lucite plexiglass (I believe plexiglass is a trademark name, like band-aid). I would assume that means it is safe, but am not 100% sure. If anyone else finds or knows about this, please let us know.
I found bulk food bins made of plexiglass so it must be food safe.
For candy, jewelry, findings, cookies pastries etc." food safe clear material. clear acrylic plastic lucite plexiglass
http://www.displaysbyrioux.com/product_zoom.php?id=2201
http://www.displaysbyrioux.com/product_zoom.php?id=502
Oh good! I have been looking for a while and have not been able to find anything definitive, so I'm glad you posted that link- Thanks!
Amber
Google Maisie Fantaisie's website. I love her stuff....and she uses glass circles with plexi posts. Not sure if she adheres the posts or not. Don't think so.....weight of the glass would help here. Could do most of what you're discussing in the previous posts (plastic adhesives....) with plexi circles and posts and get the look she has. I just love her stuff!!!! (did I say that already! LOL!)
Couldn't you reverse stack them though?
For example: Cut the hole in the plexi glass circles.
Then put your bottom layer on the table lets say a 14". stand a dowel up in the middle. Then slide your 12" over the dowel, and down to place, and so on? So instead of going down through the cake with the dowel, you would be putting the cake on the dowel.
It's early, I'm probably making no sense at all.
No, this makes perfect sense. If and when I do get the plexiglass, this is exactly how I would do it, IF I were to assemble the cakes at home.
I've been thinking about using it too. They sell plexi plates with the stress free system, but they cost a lot! I've been looking all over the net to find them for sale but can't. I'm not sure that I could get the round ones prefectly round.
I have used acrylic bases a lot. I glue the acrylic posts on with the special adhesive. I have a local acrylic shop that can cut any shape, any size, any thickness I want. I also have bases with a piece of acrylic cylinder as a stand that has been glued in the same way. Just tell them how high you want them to cut it and center it on the bottom of the base. I have seen these used in stacking wedding cakes with very long cylinders that went down into the layers. Not sure about how sturdy this would be and I would think it would be messy to remove them and you would lose some of the cake. I have had lots of trouble getting them back and have really stopped using them except for very special events. I have a wedding cake that I used one on on my website and they make a beautiful presentation because you can put all sorts of things under it and still see them.
Lucky you! I'll have to do some research and see if anyone around here does things like that!
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