Hi everyone, hoping you can help me with a question. I have a two tier cake to do for a bridal shower, Two 10 inch rounds on bottom, Two 8 inch rounds on top. I know I have to stabilize these cakes, but I'm wondering how you decide when to use what method. When is a simple dowel rod method best and when it is best to use seperator plates? I've seen it done where the seperator plates are used to control servings of a tiered cake that has different flavors so they don't "blend" but what other factors are considered for the best overall look and stabilization of stacked cakes? Your advice is really appreciated, I've been wondering about this for a long time.

Have a great day!

In my case it's a matter of preference. I used to used wooden dowel rods with one long sharpened dowel down the center of all the stacked cakes. Now I'm using the sps system after reading rave reviews about it for Indydebi and many others. Now that I've used both, I think I'll never go back to wooden dowels again. I don't have to worry abut cutting the dowels and ending up with uneven sizes, or a crooked cake. I just push the legs down and that's it. I also feel it makes unstacking the cake so much easier, but that's just my opinion.

i don't know if that answered your question.

I agree that it's a matter of preference for each decorator. There will be arguments for each side.

I actually prefer wooden dowels. Inexpensive, you don't have to worry about them returning anything, and displaces very little cake.

That's the only thing I don't like about the sps. I feel it does displace more cake than the dowels, but then again, on the bigger tiers, with the sps you're still only using 4 pillars whereas you'd use a lot more wooden dowels.

I think the reason I personally like the sps more is because the pillars are precut to exactly 4 inches, which forces me to be more consistent with my cake heights. That's always been one of my problems, so that was my solution. Also, I was constantly running out of wooden dowels at the wrong time. Since I get the sps system back from the client, I don't have tht problem anymore.

I use the fat bubble tea straws on party cakes and I love them. They are so easy to cut even and give you a very stable cake.

Sugarshak , whats bubble straws?? Thanks

very fat plastic straws used in bubble tea shakes. cheap all over the net; google them

HTH

what is the sps system? I tried searching for it but didn't come up with any results, and where do you get it?

I would like to know where to buy this system too...in Canada.

I use the bubble straws too, for two and three tier cakes. Sugar shack, have you ever used them for anything taller?

Just google bubble tea straws.....very available and cheap. You wouldn't think they would hold because they are so bendable, but it's just a matter of physics. They are stronger than you think.

BTW sugarshack. I have your DVD, and I have come a long way in my buttercream skills because of you. THank you!

so, ith the sps, don't you still have to cut the supports? Are they jacks? Anyone who has used jacks, feel free to chime in
Dowels make me crazy, so I use bubble straws....but for big cakes, I am looking for something else......info is great!

so, ith the sps, don't you still have to cut the supports? Are they jacks? Anyone who has used jacks, feel free to chime in
Dowels make me crazy, so I use bubble straws....but for big cakes, I am looking for something else......info is great!

so, ith the sps, don't you still have to cut the supports? Are they jacks? Anyone who has used jacks, feel free to chime in
Dowels make me crazy, so I use bubble straws....but for big cakes, I am looking for something else......info is great!

There is also another good system out, it is a little pricey but well worth it for me. I live in a small town and getting my stuff back is not problem. They are the stress free supports. The legs screw on and so you can make it what ever height you need. Love them. I also just charge a flat $25.00 rental fee for them and tell the brides that it is a guarantee the cake will not fall. They don't mind the fee then. But this is my opinion.

with the sps I have found 2 brands, Bakery Crafts and Coast. You can purchase Bakery Craft brand from either Global or Oasis and the pillars come in 4inch and also 9inch I believe. The coast brand can be purchased from Cakedeco and their pillars come in graduated sizes ranging from 2inchs to 5+ I think. Those are great if you need different heights or if your average cake is not 4inches tall. I have both systems and I like them both for different reasons.

I was recently turned on to the SPS system by another CC'r...can't remember her name. This system is made for customers who prefer to pick up their own stacked cakes. So far I LOVE it. I've transported a 3 tier topsy turvy cake with it to a locations about 15 miles away. Worked so much better than the dowels. You can purchase the 4" tall pillars or you can purchase the 9" scored ones and cut to your preferred height. Global Sugar Arts just started carrying them but if you want to purchase in larger quantities for lower prices www.oasissupply.com has them.

Where are they sold in Canada??