AWhat do you use for doweling and where do you buy your dowels? I am taking an online class with Elisa Strauss and she says she doesn't like using bubble straws; they don't provide enough support. Thoughts? I'm looking at staying away from massive wedding cakes and cakes beyond 2 tiers for now. Would the bubble straws work?

I am wondering about the answer to this too. I heard you can us PVC pipe...true??? Do you need to dowel a cake that is 2 tiers, both tiers double layer??

So far so good. I have used bubble tea straws on 2-3tier cakes

AYou do need to dowel a cake that's two tiers. Not sure about PVC pipe..you probably could but they aren't food safe. I use poly dowels and they are great. You could also use bubble tea straws. There's a plate stAcking system called SPS as well

Well, you guys know what I'm going to say!  

Try SPS.  Ordering info in my signature line + location of the tutorial.

And I'm now including this disclaimer:  I am in no way affiliated with Bakery Crafts or any retailer or wholesaler that sells this product.  Nor am I compensated in any way for recommending it.  From my mumble, mumble years of experience, I know it works.

Not sure where Elisa got the impression that bubble tea straws "don't provide enough support", but I believe that she's dead wrong.

The hollow cylinder is one of the strongest structures.  Just try to compress a straw end to end between your palms--you can't.  If it bends, it's because you're not providing even pressure.  If the straw is cut level and inserted true vertical, it isn't going anywhere.

The straws actually anchor into the cake because of the cake plug in the bottom and they don't displace cake.

AAwesome! Thank you so much. I thought the same thing but since I'm new, I want to get opinions from experts. I will have to find and order straws ASAP.

Where do you guys get your straws so that they are long enough to go through a double layer cake?

The straws which I get are 8" long. I get them from local Asian shops.  3/= for one hundred