which is better hidden pillars or dowel rods. I have use the pillars before when I was making a basket cake with royal icing flowers.I traveled with the cakes in separate boxes and it turn out fine. Now I need to make a cake of the same size but stack (6in. 10 in. and 14 in.) when I cut them down what do I use and how far do I need to cut the pillars also do I stack the cake and travel with it or not. do I travel with them separate with extra buttercream frosting to finish the borders. If anyone can help please do so. Also here is the basket cake I did for my sister's house warming and it was my first wedding cake ever it was in October 2004 and now making wedding cakes has been added to my list.

Well, it is safer to travel with cakes not stacked, but people do it all the time. You do need to insert a centre dowel that goes through all the stacked tiers.
Hidden pillars, well some people cut them with a knife. garden shears, just about anything. You cut them level with the icing or a bit shorter and you double board the cakes that will be stacked. Same thing with wooden dowels, cut them with a serrated knife, or garden shears or a small hack saw. Some cut them a bit higher than the icing height, but if you do and you stack it to travel, this makes it less stable.
Make sure you cut all of your dowels or hidden pillars to the same height.
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes

Yes, what Squirrelly said She taught me how to travel with the cakes not stacked. Then KayDay gave me enough courage to travel with a stacked cake. I do it all the time now. I make sure I have that rubber shelf matting under the cake & under the box for extra support. I also add the extra dowel to the middle of the cake going all the way to the bottom board. Make sure those dowels are cut even because if 1 or 2 aren't cut the same as the others your cake is going to be crooked big time. I've traveled over 70 miles with a wedding cake stacked. I prefer to transport them stacked because I'm a nervous wreck if I have to assemble the cakes on the site of the wedding. Someone is always watching & I hate that. I wouldn't try stacking & traveling until you read a lot more about it ok. It takes a few cakes to have enough courage to do it. Good luck~

I agree with the benefits of transporting stacked cakes... but depending on how many cakes you're stacking, that can add up to a lot of weight.

How do y'all carry them [safely] to/from your vehicle?


Di

By hand to the vehicle and by dollie (catering cart) once at the destination.
Hugs Squirrelly

Thanks for the info... (other than building a shorter cake) what if you don't have anybody to help with the lifting?

And and and where do you get catering carts? Is that their official name?


Di

Many reception halls provide the carts. You can always contact them before you arrive so they can have one ready.
traci

Ok, I have a question. Squirrelly Cakes, What kind of boards do you use when stacking a cake?

I don't use those thin white greasproof ones that most of you get from Wilton and such. I use the corrugated cardboard ones and I buy them already covered with the silver foil paper and I cover the back with tinfoil. For all but the smallest sizes, like about up to and including an 9 inch, sometimes a 10 inch if it isn't too heavy, I would single board. Once the sizes go over that, I double board the stacked tiers.
Hugs Squirrelly