Any of you ever use Straws instead of dowel rods? I ran into a lady yesterday that said this is what they teach them at Johnson & Wales Univ.

I've heard people on hear talk about using straws but I haven't tried it. I got a wedding cake coming that I was considering using straws in instead of the wooden dowels. Maybe someone will answer soon. I'd like to hear opinions on this subject.

Sure! Many of us use straws They work just as good or even better than wooden dowels.
........ Johnson & Wales Univ........
Have NO idea where this is but I'm a bit surprised to hear such a place would be teaching the use of straws I far prefer using straws over dowels and find them to be very reliable for most tiered cakes.

I've been using bubble tea straws since watching Sharon Zambitos DVD where she gives a demonstration on them. They are easy to cut to size with regular scissors and work great.

Can you use drinking straws, or special cake straws. If something special were do you purchase them? Thanks

I've seen and heard of straws being used instead of wooden dowels, but I can't for the life of me, understand how a bendable straw can support the weight of heavy tiers.

Maybe someone can give me a scientific explanation as to how these are the same as using wooden dowels.

I cant remember exactly where I ordered them on-line but you can google Bubble Tea Straws and several sites will come up.

Sharon instructed to space them about 1" apart. I think you have to use a few more straws than dowels but bubble tea straws are very strong and not as pliable as regular straws are. I have never had a problem with them shifting or bending.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

I buy my straws from eBay really cheap and I get them by the box full.
I never use the regular one just the Bubble Tea Straws, much easier to use than the dowels, I highly recommend them!

Neither! Try SPS. Seriously.

I get my bubble straws at a Korean grocery store....

Leahs, are you an SPS spokesperson? I'm so not being sarcastic either, you are very convincing when it comes that SPS.

I ordered my first set for a quincenera, do you usually buy the plate the same size as the cake? ie, an 8" plate for an 8"layer? Or do you buy it an inch shorter 7" for an 8" so you can't see the plate?

I use the bubble tea straws all the time. They really work and easy to cut right on the cake. I google Bubble Tea straws and the site comes up. they are inexpensive.

I use regular drinking straw for up to 4 tiers all the time. Cylinders are an extremely strong shape. The first place I learned to use them was also in pastry college, California Culinary Academy (J&W is a pastry school too).

LOL, I wish I was a spokeperson for SPS. I'm just a VERY satisfied customer. Seriously, though, it greatly simplified my caking. I will never forget the last cake I made using dowels. It didn't fall, but it was leaning a bit when delivered. I was able to fix it, but I was never sure on that cake.

I NEVER worry any more because I know I'm safe with SPS.

It's just extremely easy to use and very sturdy. And cheap.

So do I order the same size plate as the cake that's sitting on it or can I go an inch smaller?

You can order the same size plate as cake tier. The edge of the plate will show a teeny bit, so you'll need a small border or ribbon. The only time I've used a different sized plate is when putting a round plate under a square tier (back in the olden days before SPS offered square plates) and under a hex tier. I don't see why it wouldn't work, though.

Yeah, because the only border on these tiers is going to be a fondant ribbon and I've got a bad feeling the "lip" of the plate is going to distort it a wee little bit

I would go an inch smaller I don't think it really makes a difference, you may just may have an tiny gap between the tiers, but that an easily remedied.

You're right Leah, I'll try it and see how it turns out.

I like the system but sometimes I liek borderless cakes and in that case good all bubble tea straws for me.

I'll keep that in mind Maria. Thanks!

I can see why you would use straws. Wooden dowels are very hard to cut the exact same size. With just two tiers you may not notice it, but by the time you get to the third or fourth tier, you notice it's not quite that straight. Because the straws are so easy to cut you can make precision cuts.

Although the straws are hollow, once you put them into the cake they have cake inside and are no longer hollow. I use them exclusively now. I did a five-tier square and drove with it assembled using only tea straws as support.

Wow! I have never heard of straws and would never think to use them either. This is such great news. With so many decorators using them I would call it safe. It will definitely be on my list next time I place an order. I have always had a problem with the stacking of cakes. I have used plastic dowels that I can cut with a knife and was just thinking about switching to wooden dowels. Actually, I was going to post a question here asking what tool to buy to cut the wooden dowels with. And I just changed my mind in a few seconds. CC is the best. I learn something new all the time!!!

i've also used sps , and love how sturdy it is. but when it comes to stacking an odd shaped cake on top of a larger square or round one, i need something else to support it. wooden dowels are a night mare!!!! don't even waste your time, trust me. i am going to try the bubble tea staws though. but regular drinking staws are not sturdy enough. i tried them and they would slip... i couldn't get them to stay in an upright position.
however... i was just at a bay shower today and there was a small 2 tier cake. when they served it, i noticed what seemed to be those long stick/ cookie straws used as dowels. do you know what i'm talking about? has even else ever seen or heard of this... using cookie straws as dowels?

I now get my straws from this seller: http://cgi.ebay.com/172-Giant-Boba-milk-Tea-straws-smoothie-Thai-Bubble_W0QQitemZ320358525061QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a96db2885&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Great price and they're slightly firmer than the original 50 I posted about above.

I'm sold on the bubble tea straws now and from now on I will use them to support each tier, but after a recent disaster delivering a three tiered cake I now use a PVC pipe that goes up the center of all the tiers and is inserted into a flange that's screwed into the bottom board to keep the tiers from shifting. Dowels or straws will support the tiers above but they don't keep the tiers from shifting or even sliding off if you brake suddenly. That's what the center PVC pipe does. Now I can deliver with piece of mind and speed away.