Two Tiered Help!

Decorating By BakerMac Updated 20 Jan 2016 , 6:56pm by flourandsun

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BakerMac Posted 19 Jan 2016 , 4:30pm
post #1 of 13

Hi Everyone!

I need a better way to cut my dowels! Ive seen ppl on many website and youtube channels I follow, use cutters to just snip the dowel to the appropriate size and be done with it. RIght now, its such an annoying process, I was wondering if you guys knew what a) those cutters would be or b) things you've found that help you.


Thanks again.

12 replies
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ropalma Posted 19 Jan 2016 , 4:43pm
post #2 of 13

I do not use dowels anymore because of the same reason.  I use the thick Bubble Straws.  They are plastic so much easier to cut with just scissors.

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640Cake Posted 19 Jan 2016 , 7:23pm
post #4 of 13

Ditto ropalma.  I use straws. Easier to cut, easier to keep on-hand, and same support.

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cuky21 Posted 19 Jan 2016 , 8:58pm
post #5 of 13

I've seen people use PVC cutters, but haven't tried that myself.

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kakeladi Posted 19 Jan 2016 , 11:29pm
post #6 of 13

Oh definitely use plastic straws.  They are *very* strong for the average tiered cake -  unless you are talking 5 tiers like 18;16;12+ stacked :)    Why invest $$ in another special tool when you can use a simple pair of scissors? 

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BakerMac Posted 19 Jan 2016 , 11:48pm
post #7 of 13

Thanks guys! Where would I buy the bubble tea straws from??

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cuky21 Posted 20 Jan 2016 , 2:34pm
post #8 of 13

I've been thinking about using bubble tea staws but it scares me that it's not stable enough.


What's the bigger cake you have made using the bubble straws?

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640Cake Posted 20 Jan 2016 , 2:42pm
post #9 of 13

I usually get mine from my local grocers.  Wally World (Walsmart) has them as well.  I even bought a pack of them at IKEA before.  You could also order them online if your local grocers don't carry them.  The straws I buy do not actually state 'bubble tea' straws, but you can definitely see the size difference compared to a regular drinking straw.

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-K8memphis Posted 20 Jan 2016 , 3:54pm
post #10 of 13

originally available in Asian markets to go with their bubble tea now available in many more places 

cuky21 --  i often  use different size dowel throughout the cake -- i especially like the 3/4" hollow plastic ones for bottom tiers because they provide nice stability and i use the clippers (i posted the link for upthread) to snip them -- then i might use bubble straws in mid tiers and bamboo skewers or real skinny straws in the upper tier/s --

if it's a poppa bear size cake i get 1" wooden dowel cut at the hardware store -- they just stand up by themselves nothing's gonna fall with those things in there -- but only for the bottom tier/s -- i would wash them with a wet towel and i'd dip them in wax to prevent that woodsy flavor from penetrating the cake --

another tidbit about those hollow dowel after inserting/measuring one dowel and cutting the remainder to that same size -- line them all up on the table llllll like that and place a ruler on the cut ends and scootch them back and forth to be certain all the cuts are even -- if any of them pop up or lag behind you need to trim or recut --

and the biggie with any straw is this -- do NOT place them all in the tier and snip them all off at once -- you insert ONE measure it and cut all of others to that same mark so it provides a level stable basis for the cakes above it

dowel overload 


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leah_s Posted 20 Jan 2016 , 4:10pm
post #11 of 13

Or, just use SPS.  The legs come pre-cut to 4", 5", 7', and a pre-scored for cutting 9" length.  

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kakeladi Posted 20 Jan 2016 , 6:03pm
post #12 of 13

Depending on how much baking you do I usually just get a handful from a local fast food place :)  Like McDonalds- they have nice fat straws.  You can ask the employees "Will you sell me these?" and usually they will say just take them.    The biggest cake I have made using them was probably 3 tiers - maybe 4 ( like 16,12,9,6" Rounds).   

In a 16" where a 12 sits on it I would use maybe  8 straws; in the 12" topped a 9 there would be 5 or 6 and in the 9 topped by a 6"er use 3.  That should give you an idea of  how many are needed.  If you look through my album on here you will see some of the tiered cakes I have made.  Not all of them used straws - didn't start into using them until some years along in my baking world :)

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flourandsun Posted 20 Jan 2016 , 6:56pm
post #13 of 13

I love bubble tea straw for my smaller tiered cakes! I buy them from amazon :) 

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