What do you use as a cooling rack for large cakes? I have some square cooling racks that barely fit a 12" round but they are useable. I just purchased some new racks, but then I realized...duh... they are only 10" wide. I could put two together but it may be tricky flipping it over with the pan. I have used a pizza pan with holes for a 16" cake once.

Any suggestions where to find or what to use for cooling racks larger than 12"?

I have three different kinds of super large racks. Got them all at various restaurant supplies.

Dumb question here... the few times I've tried to use a cooling rack my cake has stuck to the bottom. Do you have to use a rack?

Hey mama,

Some sticking is going to be expected because the top of the cake will be sitting on the wires, and the cake will be hot and very prone to breakage at this point so the wired cooling racks have a tendency to allow the cake to sink right into it.

However, I put a piece of parchment or wax paper over the top of the cake before its inverted or on the rack itself and wala, no sticking!

I always line my pans with parchment, so when I turn out my cakes, there's a barrier between the bottom of the cake and the rack. If it's not possible to use the parchment in the pan, then I do as BethLS and place a fresh sheet of parchment between the cake and the rack.

**Pet peeve alert** The word is, "voila". It is French for "there it is". These are not words: wala, walla, wa-la. Viola is a word, but it describes a stringed instrument or a flower.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. Where's the Midol???

Pull out one of your oven racks ( while cold ) and use for a cooling rack!

I use the largest one (14 1/2 x 20) by Wilton http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=3E319B26-475A-BAC0-53FE761A31885B5B&fid=81E71861-475A-BAC0-57745408EEE568B4 so far I haven't needed anything larger.

I'm certainly not going to get into proper english on a cake decorating forum

I use wala, regardless if it is correct, or not. It is my preference.

It is completely and utterly dependant on where you are in the country.

For me, it is no different for people who use vocalize "wash my clothes" as "warsh my clothes."

To each his (or her!) own.

Beth

It's certainly your privilege to use whatever words you like. And it's my privilege to express my pet peeves. Ain't it a great world?

Oven rack! I tried that tonight and it worked well. I flipped the cake over on its top and used a few layers of paper towels to buffer and it worked great. There were some marks from the wires as they are kind of far apart but I'll probably cut them off when I level. I just wouldn't set the bottom of the cake on this rack.

I'll have to order one online next time I place an order somewhere. Ooo, more shopping! Thanks everyone!

I've got a super dumb question. Do you have to use a cooling rack and what are the benefits of it? I'm guessing it cools the bottom faster? If you put wax paper between the cake and rack is that defeating the purpose? Sorry I'm just really curious because I'm just a beginning beginner.

Thank you. ps... love, love, love your buttercream icing recipe.

I use pizza screens like these. Work great and inexpensive. Best part is they come in all sizes. I have 2 16inchers for my larger cakes. Love them.

Pizza screens - great idea! I currently use the largest Wilton cooling rack, but I'm going to have to look into these screens. Thanks for the tip!