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Straws vs Dowels

post #1 of 14
3/15/12 at 12:36pm
Thread Starter 
Hi All,

Just wondering what you normally use as support for stacked cakes. Straws or dowels? Which is better or are they pretty much the same.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you
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post #2 of 14
3/15/12 at 2:44pm
I use bubble tea straws.

Easy to cut, only need half as many as wooden dowels, have the "power" of the hollow cylinder, don't slip out of position easily.

Rae
I love you, but your emergency is not my crisis!

They say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.--Terry Pratchett (b.194
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I love you, but your emergency is not my crisis!

They say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.--Terry Pratchett (b.194
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post #3 of 14
3/15/12 at 3:30pm
I used to use wood dowells and the last 3 or so cakes ive made i used boba tea straws and love them! I feel so much better using the straws and i havent gotten any buldges or anything!! although i have only used them on 2 tierd cakes. Not sure if they would hold up to the weight of a 3 or more tier cake.
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post #4 of 14
3/16/12 at 10:56am
Thread Starter 
Thank you! I'm relieved that you both find straws better. I personally am not a fan of dowels, but have never tried straws.
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post #5 of 14
3/16/12 at 11:17am
Will the straws hold up the weight of a 4-5 tiers cake? Where do you get your straws? Thank you icon_smile.gif
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post #6 of 14
3/16/12 at 11:26am
Hey there. I have used straws for a 3 tier cake, and I'm making one at the end of the month that's a 4 tier. 12, 10, 8 & 6. I plan to stack at the venue so I'm not worried about them not holding. Add I have found them at Walmart and my local grocery store. The grocery store had them hanging in an isle and the package says "Milkshake Straws". They're just a really big straw. I've even heard of others using fast food place's straws because they are bigger.
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post #7 of 14
3/16/12 at 12:45pm
I have used the boba straws on all my tiered cakes including my 4 tier cake. They are easier to cut & they hold a lot of weight. They are very cheap if you buy them at Asian markets.
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post #8 of 14
3/16/12 at 12:50pm
Straws are definately the way to go icon_smile.gif As was said, easy to get, cut and place, along w/be *VERY!* strong.
The only time I would not use them would be for a very heavy cake recipe and over 14" tier. Most of the tiered cakes in my gallery were made using straws.
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post #9 of 14
3/16/12 at 12:52pm
Thank you, Rach80 icon_smile.gif
Do you stack them before you leave dchinda or stack them when you get there like Rach80.? Thank you icon_biggrin.gif
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post #10 of 14
3/16/12 at 2:43pm
I have been known to walk in to McDonalds and grab a hand full of straws icon_redface.gificon_redface.gif That was a few years back, and it was an emergency. Now I have a whole case of them, which I doubt I'll ever use all of them. I wonder how much it would cost to ship some?

I would rather make 1 cake for $150, than 3 for $50 each.

The person who works for nothing will always have plenty to do!

My sarcasm is good-humored. People generally really like me, in person ;-) 

Licensed, inspected, insured, home-based commercial...

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I would rather make 1 cake for $150, than 3 for $50 each.

The person who works for nothing will always have plenty to do!

My sarcasm is good-humored. People generally really like me, in person ;-) 

Licensed, inspected, insured, home-based commercial...

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post #11 of 14
3/16/12 at 3:08pm
I have a hard time cutting the dowels correctly so now I use the straws. I got mine at Bed, Bath & Beyond and I think the package cost around $2.
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post #12 of 14
3/16/12 at 6:27pm
I just used bubble tea straws ($1 for 50 Asian grocery store) for the first time with an 8"/10" cake. Worked well but I also just bought SPS.
Started my business legally February 2012! Commercial kitchen and all!
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Started my business legally February 2012! Commercial kitchen and all!
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post #13 of 14
3/16/12 at 6:45pm
I just use dowels.
http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
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http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
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http://www.acaketorememberva.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/acaketoremember
http://www.youtube.com/karabuntin
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post #14 of 14
3/16/12 at 7:43pm
SPS for wedding cakes and straws for smaller birthday cakes.
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