I'm just wondering if I should invest in buying one or just using my decorator nail (that is used for making roses)

I use my flower nail(s) all the time. For smaller cakes, I use one, and for larger cakes (maybe 10" or larger), I use two or more. I've found them very helpful, in addition to the baking strips.

I use them too and they work perfectly.

I was watching something on the internet and saw someone use a flower nail instead of a heating core. I thought, "It just can't be that easy", but, it is! The nails work wonderfully, and I haven't used my heating core since then. I had a flower nail, and then I bought another one at a craft store for less than $2. It was well worth the investment!

Hope it works for you!

I tried it for the first time this past weekend and it worked beautifully! Go for it!

I also use the large nail for my cakes.

I use nails also and they work great! Give it a shot!

I made a large sheet cake and used 3 nails cake came out perfect.

I do it all the time.. they work great! The larger the cake the more nails i use and have had nothing but perfect results

Yes, I actually asked the same question a while back and got some wonderful information from this site. I have used rose nails for heating cores and they have worked quite well. I grease them well, put them in the pan with the round side facing the pan and then pour in the batter. For anything larger than an 8" cake I have used 1 if not 2 nails and in very, very large cakes, I have used 3. I do take them out of the baked cake as soon as I invert them so they don't stick. HTH. Good luck!

I use flower nails, the only thing I use the heating core for now is for baking the bottle necks for 3D bottles

Thanks for all the great info- when u use more than one, do u put them right next to each other, or spread them out? Thanks again I so missed you all!

I spaced mine evenly and it seemed to work perfectly. It just made sense to do it that way. HTH

I put my homemade cake release all over the nail and it works like a charm. I bought a heating core -- used it once and put it in a drawer -- never to be used again!

I was just wondering if when you use the flower nails if they tear the bottom of the cake,or leave holes?

Lillielu

If the nail is well greased, it shouldn't pull out any cake. There will be a small hole from it, but nothing you won't cover with icing/fondant.

Thanks Tracey 1970! But I have one other question: If you put the nail in before you put in the batter, how do you tap the pan to get bubbles out? i know that maybe a silly question; but its one I don't know the answer to.

Thanks,
Lillielu

I cant sing the praises enough, I was really confused at first about the whole heating core thing and found so much helpful info on this site about the flower nails.

Like the PP's, I put the nail in first and then pour the batter in, tap the mix with no problem. I find the weight of the batter holds the nail in place any way. Crumb coat covers the small hole with no problem.

Have a go at doing a trial cake if you aren't sure, you will be amazed!

Good Luck
Steph

Thanks to all!!!! I'm going to try the nail on my next cake. I'll let you all know how it turns out. You guys are so helpful. Bless you all!!

Lillielu

Everyone,
I used the nail too and it worked ok until I found better way.
If you wrap a wet strip of towel around the pan it works like a charm, I promise that you are going to love me for ever for this tip.

I use it on any size pan even on a 14" x 14" and I don't have to put a flower nail or a heating core. I been doing this for a few months and I have no problems at all and the cake rise evenly and you don't have to level it by cutting.

I learned this from Jennifer Dontz the cake teacher (Love her work, she is the best)