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Cake stacking methods

Poll Results: How do you stack cakes?

 
  • 38% (10)
    SPS/Coast system
  • 61% (16)
    Dowels and boards
26 Total Votes  
post #1 of 16
8/19/12 at 5:46pm
Thread Starter 
I was taught to stack wedding cakes using dowels and cardboard cake rounds, and I have noticed a few other methods on this forum. I am just curious about how everyone out there is building their cakes.
SPS/ Coast system or dowels and boards?
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post #2 of 16
8/19/12 at 6:39pm
I use my version of "dowels & boards": 3/16" foamcore boards coated with edible soy wax and bubble tea straws. Works well for me.

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 16
8/20/12 at 5:43am
Thread Starter 
Thanks BlakesCakes. The bubble tea straws are interesting to me. I would like to find a sub for the dowels. Do you find that they are strong enough to use on pretty large cakes? I have experimented with downward force on regular cut straws, and they seem very strong. I just haven't had the nerve to use them in a cake yet!
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post #4 of 16
8/20/12 at 6:07am
Dowell and Board lady here...
I use the Wilton Lollypop Sticks...
Buying the 8 inch ones i can cut them to any height i may require.... as most of my cakes/tiers are 6 inches tall
http://bakingpleasures.com.au/p1448/wilton-cookie-treat-sticks-8-inches

Bluehue
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post #5 of 16
8/20/12 at 6:54am
Thread Starter 
Bluehue, do you use 3 inch pans to achieve 6 inch tiers? I prefer the look of a taller tier.
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post #6 of 16
8/20/12 at 8:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lovinspoonfull

Bluehue, do you use 3 inch pans to achieve 6 inch tiers? I prefer the look of a taller tier.



Sure do....although i don't use the top of the cake - so i bake 3 cakes...tort each one into inch thickness's fill and stack.
Yes, i love the look of tall cakes also.

But you don't have to ude 3 inch pans - just bake - tort and fill until you get to your 6 inches.

Bluehue
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post #7 of 16
8/20/12 at 12:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lovinspoonfull

Thanks BlakesCakes. The bubble tea straws are interesting to me. I would like to find a sub for the dowels. Do you find that they are strong enough to use on pretty large cakes? I have experimented with downward force on regular cut straws, and they seem very strong. I just haven't had the nerve to use them in a cake yet!



Absolutely strong enough. The hollow cylinder is one of the strongest architectural elements available--much safer than a solid cylinder like a wooden dowel or any other skinny stick.

Straws don't displace cake like solid cylinders do. The cake is actually compressed into the hollow and acts a bit like an anchor. They're much less likely to slide in the damp environment of a cake.

Straws are very easy to cut and get level. You only need to use 1/2 as many for support, too, so you can support a 10" cake with just 5 straws. They're sanitary, easy to see in the cake, they're not made of anything that can absorb grease or moisture, and they're cheap.

Along with the Agbay cake leveler, straws are me best "cake find" ever--thanks to CC.

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 #8 of 16
8/21/12 at 11:54am
Thread Starter 
Stopped by the Asian market on my way home today to get bubble tea straws! Thanks all for the help. And....oh how I miss the Agbay cake leveler that I used at my previous job!
I WILL have one again!
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post #9 of 16
8/21/12 at 12:41pm
Rae,
I love using the foam core but usually wrap them in fancifoil. I'd love to know more about the edible soy wax. Where do you buy something like that?
live to ride
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post #10 of 16
8/21/12 at 12:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dynee

Rae,
I love using the foam core but usually wrap them in fancifoil. I'd love to know more about the edible soy wax. Where do you buy something like that?



I did some research and found that Golden Blends 415 was food grade, edible, Kosher soy wax. I purchased 10lbs. of it on Ebay--it should last me a lifetime! I melt it in the microwave in a small silicone cup and apply a thin coat with a paper towel.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130491955139?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

HTH
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 #11 of 16
8/21/12 at 3:52pm
Thanks for the info, Rae. I'll look into it.
live to ride
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live to ride
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post #12 of 16
8/21/12 at 5:53pm
Large stacked wedding cakes, I may use Coast, I've use them and were quite simple to use. In the past I've used SPS. Most cakes I do are small, so I mainly do the "dowel and board' routine. I have yet to use the tea bubble straws.
……..”As long as we have memories, yesterday remains. As long as we have hope, tomorrow awaits. As long as we have friendship, today is beautiful.”
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……..”As long as we have memories, yesterday remains. As long as we have hope, tomorrow awaits. As long as we have friendship, today is beautiful.”
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post #13 of 16
8/21/12 at 8:14pm
I use wooden dowels, and silver-covered cardboard rounds, or bubble teas and the same boards. It is difficult to push a bubble tea straw into cold mud cake, so sometimes I have to use the dowels!

I have never had a cake slip, collapse, or shift in a way it shouldn't icon_smile.gif
Life's too short to make cake pops.
___________________________________
www.sweetperfection.com.au
www.facebook.com/sweetperfectioncakes (come visit sometime!)
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Life's too short to make cake pops.
___________________________________
www.sweetperfection.com.au
www.facebook.com/sweetperfectioncakes (come visit sometime!)
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post #14 of 16
8/30/12 at 10:47am
Thread Starter 
I have never had any issued with dowels either, but I do like the fact that the bubble tea straws can be sanitized, and are not displacing any cake. I used them today on a fairly small stacked cake. Worked great! Thanks again!
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post #15 of 16
8/30/12 at 11:45am
There are some people here that use this other method and love it.

http://www.stressfreecakes.com/public/store.html
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