I'm struggling with how tall my tiers should be! I have the Sharon Zambito buttercream video and her cakes are perfect and TALL. Mine never get past my 2" pan height - for any size. I'm filling them up over half full. Would a heating core help? I want beautiful tall cake layers - help please!

I would try more batter and the bake even strips that wilton makes. You wet them and wrap them around your pan and then the center doesn't rise more than the sides. That should get you taller tiers.

I use the strips so I think I will try to fill the pans more. I just feel like I will almost have to double very recipe or use smaller pans!

I usually use 5-8 cups of batter for an 8" tier and 8-10 for a 10" (I think-it's late for me and my mind is a little fuzzy!) I try to fill my pans to about 3/4 full and use the strips. I've never used a heating core or flower nail.

I struggled for a long time with this too. I use heat core for over 8 in cakes and the strips and fill about 2/3 full. Finally a 2 in ( just under after trimming) and then filling and stacking I met my 4 inches!! Maybe try a different cake recipe while your at it
good luck.