How Strong Are Wilton's Silver Cake Bases?

Decorating By Jeep_girl816 Updated 12 Jul 2014 , 2:39pm by kkmcmahan

Jeep_girl816 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Jeep_girl816 Posted 10 Jul 2014 , 10:32pm
post #1 of 9

So I've been coaxed from my "retirement from cakes" to do my boss's wedding cake (yay.) They've got a 14" WASC, 11" choc, 8" carrot and 6" choc. The cake will be displayed on a cut piece of birch log, but that is going to be too heavy for me to transport all together with the cake on top. How strong are theWilton silver cake drums? Two glued together? & It's for tomorrow so I won't have time to order anything :-/ Any input/suggestions would be highly appreciated.

8 replies
ropalma Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
ropalma Posted 10 Jul 2014 , 11:40pm
post #2 of 9

They are not too sturdy.  Putting several together helps.  I would use a piece of masonite of something to put the cake on to move it until you get to the venue.

maybenot Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
maybenot Posted 11 Jul 2014 , 4:05am
post #3 of 9

Those 1/2 inch drums are pretty standard and sturdy.  One would hold that cake just fine.  I put 2 together only when I want/need extra height.

 

I glue 2 together using scrapbook glue dots and then wrap the edge with tape.  I pin a coordinating ribbon to it.

Apti Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Apti Posted 11 Jul 2014 , 4:31am
post #4 of 9

I strongly recommend that the Wilton silver cake bases only be used under a single, 4" high, tier.  Any more than that and they will bend. 

 

If you are going to stack the 3 tier cake at the site, the Wilton silver cake bases should be sufficient to transport each tier.  Be sure to bring some fondant/buttercream/etc. to do any needed repairs on site.

 

If you MUST use these bases under the stacked cake, I suggest you triple the bases and wrap with ribbon or fondant.  The best way to create strength is to alternate the cardboard corrugations.

 

1st silver cake base---cardboard corrugations going north-south

2nd silver cake base--cardboard corrugations going east-west

3rd silver cake base---cardboard corrugations going north-south

 

or:

 

________

 

I I I I I I I I I

 

________

maybenot Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
maybenot Posted 11 Jul 2014 , 9:32pm
post #5 of 9

I'm sorry, but those cake bases just don't bend that easily.  I've used them for up to 4 tier cakes with no problem at all.

 

The thin circles do bend and if you make your own base using those, yes, alternating the orientation of the corrugation is necessary. 

 

This 3 tier BC cake was on one:

 

This is on one of the Wilton rectangle bases:

Heitman+toolbox+small.JPG

 

On a round one:

AZCouture Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
AZCouture Posted 12 Jul 2014 , 3:55am
post #6 of 9

AHuh. Maybe they're manufactured in different plants depending on which side of the Mississippi you're on (just a silly example). Because the silver Wilton drums I find in my area, I wouldn't trust a tiered cake on for any reason. They are always wobbly and feel "loose" underneath the foil covering. Very flimsy.

leah_s Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
leah_s Posted 12 Jul 2014 , 12:38pm
post #7 of 9

AWilton drums are significantly less sturdy than other brands. Must be related to having the lowest bidder manufacture them.

vldutoit Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
vldutoit Posted 12 Jul 2014 , 12:52pm
post #8 of 9

AI purchased a pkg of Wilton 16" drums last weekend because I did not have time to order online. The cake was two tier baby rump with the rump made of RKT and that drum was so flimsy I thought my work was going to be trashed. I had to quickly cover a wooden round in a matching gift wrap and sit the whole shebang on it for transport. It was no I thing but a couple of pieces if corrugated cardboard wrapped in silver. I deconstructed the other one just to see.

kkmcmahan Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
kkmcmahan Posted 12 Jul 2014 , 2:39pm
post #9 of 9

I use the Wilton cake drums all the time with cakes that are 2 or 3 tier and have never had a problem.  I did have a very heavy cake (nephews wedding cake) that I needed to transport and didn't want to worry about the cake board in transportation so I went to the hardware store and found a round wood base that I love.  It is 3/4" thick with a round over edge so it is smooth and easy to handle.  They had 3 different sizes, think I got the 17".  Love it and it was very inexpensive.

Quote by @%username% on %date%

%body%