How Much Wire Is Enough?

Decorating By usmdesigner Updated 9 Aug 2011 , 5:09am by Marianna46

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usmdesigner Posted 5 Aug 2011 , 2:59pm
post #1 of 4

I was looking into putting some wire decorations on a cake and went to Hobby Lobby last night to get some.

I ended up getting 16 gauge because it looked like a pretty decent thickness. (is there lower gauge somewhere?) I hope that is thick enough to hold fondant balls on it.

I got 3 yards worth, but then got to thinking is that going to be enough.

Just doing a 2 tier cake with wires coming out that are bended like a lot of cakes you see with maybe some fondant balls on the end.

How much wire is used on a typical cake would you say? Should I go with 6 yards?

3 replies
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Marianna46 Posted 8 Aug 2011 , 1:53pm
post #2 of 4

16-gauge wire is a good thickness. I've used thinner, 18- and 20-gauge, and it's worked fine. The amount of wire, of course, depends on how many thingies you want coming out of your cake. You'll probably need 14-18" for each one (4" of this is to sink into the cake to the depth of the tier they're coming out of). You probably already know this, but I'll say it anyway for those who are new to sticking wires into cakes: don't stick them in directly because they can contaminate the cake, as well as tearing it to shreds. I usually cut those tiny straws they use for coffee stirrers to the height of the cake, sink them down till they're level with the cake surface and put the wire inside after dipping it in melted white chocolate or candy melts. I dip the wire in chocolate because when it hardens it will keep the wire from moving around inside the straw, and I use white because it doesn't stain as badly as dark chocolate does. Hope some of this helps!

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usmdesigner Posted 8 Aug 2011 , 7:42pm
post #3 of 4

Oh yes this does help.

Any other suggestions on the straws besides candy melts?

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Marianna46 Posted 9 Aug 2011 , 5:09am
post #4 of 4

No, I've exhausted my storehouse of knowledge about wires in cakes! Anybody else have anything to add?

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