AHi Uk based - I am making my first 3 tiered cake and have transported two tier without centre dowel ok before. I see people hammer down thru cake but I stack using 2mm cake cards which are too hard to hammer thru. Should I use cake circles instead? Are they sturdy enough to support stacking? My cake is fruit bottom tier and sponge other two tiers. Many thx ladies

:)

AI precut the centre of my boards so that the centre dowel can be pushed through when I stack.. The centre dowel does allow for a much more stable stack for transport. Having said that my early creations were just stacked with dowels supporting each tier and they travelled.

I think I know the cake circles you speak of. I believe that these are not sufficient to support the weight of the cake without dowelling each tier.

Take a look here http://www.wilton.com/cakes/tiered-cakes/stacked-tiered-cake-construction.cfm

AThx. Yes I have transported several two tiers without the centre dowel. Is there any trick to getting the holes in exact line or do you rod the bottom tier then add others? If I choose not to rod I think cake fine as long as kept level only a 15 min journey. : )

I usually stack at the venue.  I am a bit scared to dowel through the whole thing.  I know they do that on Cake Boss and Choccywoccydoodah but they all seem to have a purpose built van for delivery and I only have a Ford Fiesta! :)

Thx. I have to stack during creation but I am sure it will be fine without dowel - I will just have to be mega careful!

ATurn the cake board over and rule lines edge to edge put your hole where the lines intersect ( if it is square draw the lines corner to corner) but make it big enough for the slight veriation of off centre you may get when stacking. I use a hole cutter drill attachment and my hubbies drill to cut the holes. It ensures that the hole is clean cut without Raggy edges. Cut a paper template of top tier and mark the centre. Dowel and stack the tiers then lay the template on top and push the centre dowel (keeping it vertical) down through the cake.

When travelling keep it simple, don't carry it! Put a a thick layer of padding (I use a couple of blankets) in the boot of the car put the cake in the centre. choose a route without traffic humps and a 30 limit if possible. And give your self plenty of space of gentle breaking and drive as smoothly as possible. Just have confidence in your self.

Sorry if sounds like an idiots guide :~ but it is not long ago that I delivered my first commercial cake and I remember how freaked I was at wreking the cake. Have now transported some really delicate stuff on 100 mile journeys I have learned to apply the K.I.S.S method. Keep it simple stupid.

Many thanks.

If I go for it I will have to drill hole through every board - I am assuming there is a hole in the cake base board too.

This is where I get the cake cards to dowel and support in between tiers

http://www.cakecraftstore.co.uk/single-thick-cake-cards-2mm-round-single-thick-cards-2mm-c-68_215_210.html

Thanks again.I think worst case if I chicken out then I can still transport ok - just very carefully!

Hi Loubie lou. What about stacking the two tiers at home, keeping the third separate but in a box where it won't move around. Then at the venue, put the third tier atop the other two. 

I haven't decided whether to do this, or to centre dowel all three tiers.

I have used an exacto knife to cut through my cake boards which are 2mm thick. Just need a bit of elbow grease! I should see if our drill has one of those hole cutter attachment like sugarflorist mentioned, because I'm sure that would be way easier than an exacto knife.

No base board does not need a hole

AThx cakejeanie! Hadn't thought of that.

APs. If you do rod and pre cut holes in boards do you still go down thru top of cake? Has it been successful? Mant thx.

A

AIf you have a topper you can stack the 3 and go in from the top because the topper will hide the hole. Otherwise yes!