which do you prefer and where do you find bubble tea straws??

If I am not using the SPS - I like the bubble tea straws - they are a sturdier support IMO than just the little wooden dowels. I have been using them for over 2 years now and never had a problem. I order them online, there are several places to get them - just google it.

TRY AMAZON I FOUND SOME FOR 2.95 FOR A PACK OF 45...HTH

Thanks guys!!

I actually use a combination of bubble tea straws and wooden dowels and never had a problem. You can get your bubble tea straws at an asian grocery store... I coudn't find any in Las Vegas so I just ask my fiance to get it for me back in California.

I got mine from ebay and I love them.

Edited to remove ebay link, since Katie posted a MUCH better deal for everyone!

I just got the straws from a seller on ebay. Here is the link....
http://cgi.ebay.com/172-Giant-Boba-milk-Tea-straws-smoothie-Thai-Bubble_W0QQitemZ320358525061QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a96db2885&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
The shipping is high but you get alot of straws for cheap.
I just used them for the first time and I have to say I loved how they worked! They were very very easy to work with!

I have used both dowels and straws but prefer the bubble tea straws. They cut easily and I like the way they hold up. I order mine from bobateadirect, pack of 50 individually wrapped straws are 3.99 shipping is 4.50 but they delivered very quickly and they also have two different sizes.

These straws are clear and 1/2 inch thick. I ordered them on thursday night and had them monday!

Katie...WOW, what a deal! I just ordered from your link...Thanks for posting it!

In fact, I'm going to edit mine out, I don't want to steer people wrong.

I never used the tea straw will they hold up a 4 tier fondant wedding cake or do you use wooden dowels with it as well?

I've used them on a 4 tier cake but I assemble the top 2 tiers on site. Didn't use any wooden dowels. Worked great.

Linda

Would you use the tea straws alone for the support or do you put something inside of the straw. They don't look too durable, but I'm quite new to stacking. I use wooden dowels but I am looking for something better. I sure want to order those straws from the ebay link but don't know how to use them

I love the straws, even though I've never used them on anything close to 4 tiers.

The BEST thing about them is that you can cut them so easily, with regular scissors, as opposed to the wooden kind...I hated sawing those.

Here's a snippet from Sharon's stacking video where she uses tea straws.

Thanks FlourPots...I totally get it now. I too HATE cutting those wooden dowels and my paranoia always leads to believe that the wood is not the most sanitary option for stacking. I'm sure it's fine or they wouldn't sell it for stacking but I'm kinda crazy that way!

You're welcome .

Great viedo, but do I understand she did not push the straws all the way down to the cake? I mean in level of the cake? It stick out.

I see what you mean ZlatkaT...I don't have that particular DVD, but I assume at some point she pushes them all down before adding the next tier.

When I've used them, I stick them in, then cut each level...I don't have them all pre-cut (I did for the wooden ones).

Flourpots- your welcome! I am always looking for a deal!

I used the straws to stack up to a 3 tier cake but I did have to use a wooden dowel thru all of them which I actually put inside McDonalds straws. I am with that thought that the wood is just not that sanitary!

HTH!
Katie

I leave the straws "sticking up" out of the tier about an inch or so, that way I don't get my fingers in the frosting when I am setting the next tier on top - gravity pushes them down where they are supposed to be.

May I have Q? If using dowel vs straws. What is the spacing difference. Are you using more straws than dowels? Example 14" to add 10" ?? And how fat the straw should be? Thank you

I use the same number of straws that I would wooden dowels. For all you leery of stacking a big cake using straws, here's one. I only used cardboard squares and straws and delivered this thing assembled. Yeah...I'm crazy!

Beautiful cake "jammcakes". The straws just can't go with my brain, I never understood physic

Wow...awesome cake!

ZlatkaT...when you see them in person, it makes more sense how they can withstand the weight necessary.

I got my straws today and I LOVE them!!...they're clear with thin white & colored stripes (pink, blue, green, & yellow).

The best thing though...they're just slightly firmer than the ones I already have!! (but still very easy to cut with scissors, I tried it).

Thanks again Katie...this was a GREAT buy!!!

Anytime! I'm glad I could help!

Yeah I actually bought from two companies but I love those I just used them again! I am addicted to making cakes right now. The straws are easy to cut and these are very firm!

You seem to have figured it out. I just wanted to add that I have always used regular old drinking straws with doubled-up cardboard rounds in cakes up to 4 tiers. Suggested by my friend, who is a pastry chef, cause they are cheap and easy to cut and so on..... I have never had a problem.

I have kind of a dumb question, when you put the first straw in to measure and then you pull it out to cut, aren't you pulling cake out with it, on the inside of the straw? I guess, it goes back in fine and is sturdy???

Yes, it does pull some cake out with it, you just put it back in the same hole it came out of - works fine.