wooden dowel rods before inserting into a cake? I'm talkin about the main dowel rod through the center of your cake. I use bubble tea straws within the tiers. Maybe it's just me, but I like to wipe them down with a clorox sanitizing wipe and let them dry. The thought of how many other peoples hands have touched them before I bought them is gross...maybe it's because I work in a hospital and am a clean freak! Just wondering if anyone else does this or has a suggestion.

I was wondering that too. I only get my dowels from food service retailers but I was thinking of coating the wooden dowels in white chocolate or canning wax. I'd like to know what others are doing or think about the subject.

I was wondering that too. I only get my dowels from food service retailers but I was thinking of coating the wooden dowels in white chocolate or canning wax. I'd like to know what others are doing or think about the subject.

I wipe them down with a rag full of hot soapy water. I don't want chlorox or anything like that leaching into the wood.

Yes i wash mine.
Never know what has walked over it or as you say - who has touched it.

I just wash mine in Dish Detergant - rinse in boiling water and allow to dry for a day - then pop into a low oven to completley dry out.

maybe it's because I work in a hospital and am a clean freak!
Was a nurse for many years - and like you - have seen the nasty side of infection and contaminants
Huge differance between reading about something and actually seeing it -
then dealing with it -

Even straws - i would never use them without washing them out first.

Some may say - we are extreme
I say - learn what bad bacteria does ............. *shudder*

Our wooden dowells have to be made here in Australia - due to quarantine laws... as many imported woods are non food safe - anothing to check when buying.



Bluehue.

i wash mine with hot water and let them dry

On the clorox wipes tub, it says not to use them on a surface that will be used for food prep without rinsing the surface with water afterwards.

Since the wooden dowels are porous I'd be concerned about bleach or soap being absorbed into them and then these chemicals being absorbed into the cake.

How about just throwing them in a pot of boiling water for a minute and let them air dry. That ought to kill all the bad stuff.

I use plastic ones, but I wash and then sterilise them in boiling water for about 10 mins before inserting them into the cake.

because wood has a tendency to allow things to cling on to it. As for boiling the wooden dowels, its a nice way to sterilize them but soaking wood in water makes wood curl or loose it shape. Although it doesnt matter since dowel are used for a short period of time. I'm saying this so some people wont think soaking their wooden tools like rolling pins & etc in water is a good way to sterilize their tools. (just an opinion)