Newbie Question : is the proper stacking order :cake base, cake board, wax paper, cake , dowels, wax paper, cakeboard, wax paper, cake , and so on .. I guess my real question is: am I suppose to put wax paper on top and under the cake board??

Oh and when do you use cake separating plates instead of cake boards? Thanks in advance!

I don't put wax paper anywhere in the cake.

I start by putting icing on the cake base. Then I take the bottom tier with the cake board attached and stick it in the icing on the cake base. Basically there is icing on both side of the cake board. Let's pretend this is a 10" cake.

Next, I put icing on top of the 10" cake. Then I put the cake glued with icing to the cakeboard, on top of the icing (which is sitting on top of the 10" cake).

I just repeat this over and over.

You always use the cake boards. It's just instead of gluing the cake board to the cake, you glue the cake board to the separating plates. And then the pillars will push into the cake as well.

I hope this makes sense.

yes , thank you ... I have heard of putting wax paper on the cake board and underneath .. I didnt know if I was doing it wrong all this time or if thats a better technique??? Thank you for your respond

I don't know, because I have never done it like that. My method just kind of works for me. Maybe someone else on CC can tell you what they do too.

Maybe try it with and without and see what works best for you. My only thought is that the wax paper might make the cake more slippery. And you definitely don't want your cake sliding around. Just a thought.

P.S. Welcome to Cake Central (CC).

Thank you again

I put wax paper top and bottom of the cardboard.. The reason for this is, so the cardboard doesnt soak the grease from the buttercream. That wet cardboard can ,ake your cake unstable..
Edna

Edna, I always value your advice. Even if you use "waxed" cake boards???? Thanks, Chantelle

Make sure they are wax both sides!
Edna

Thanks, I would have never known. BTW, you're cake in ACM and posted here is amazing!!!!! So is the one on your latest blog spot!!! You ROCK!!!!! Chantelle

Great thread!!! I need to know this

Well, I've never used waxed paper like that and really think it would be annoying when cutting the cake, unless it was taped down to the board securely. Of course as we all know I only use SPS to stack cakes. The cake cardboard sits on top of the SPS plate, so no instability happens.

I have no choice.. I dont run a shop, so I work with what is available. I think if I tell my boss go buy SPS she would have a fit!..lol

The wax paper we glue with a glue gun. Is stays glued pretty well. Tape wouldn't work..
Edna

Thank you thank you , for all your response. Very helpful!

I use foamcore - comes in two main thicknesses. Works great! The best idea that I ever got on here was to use carpet tape on the covered base board (again I use a larger thickness of foamcore) and then place your bottom cake (with the hidden thinner cake board) on top of it. No sliding. I love dowels. Buy yourself a pencil sharpener and a hammer (I use to use a meat mallet)...it sure helps to get the main dowel that will go through all tiers (with their hidden foamcore boards and into the "covered base board" with ease.
Nothing is ever needed back from the client either.

I have covered my cake boards with contact paper in the past and it worked very well. It prevents the cardboard from soaking in the grease and it makes the board very strong.