I need to make a tiered cake using square cake pans. Do you recommend the Wilton Decorater Preferred Pans or the Wilton Performance Pans for cake decorating? I would like to get a nice staight finish with buttercream icing and I have only used the Performance Pans. Is there any noticable difference? Thanks for any help.

I personally like the Preferred Pans, it seems like I get a better looking turn out on my cake and not as hard to frost. Hope this has helped and good luck

The Decorator Preferred Pans have my vote..they have those nice sharp corners!

Absolutely there is a difference! I now use the Decorator Preferred Pans ONLY! Thankfully, I didn't buy many of the Performance pans.

i don't even know what i have anymore....lol
My pans are everywhere! (even some stored under my couch!)

But I have some pans made by another company - Pheil & Holing (www.cakedec.com) and I LOVE them - very heavy, nice, sturdy - well made. shaped cakes come out beautifully. I have mostly wilton though - can't remember which are performance and which are preferred.

Thanks for the help. I guess I am going to use all the michaels coupons this week and see if the one in my neighborhood has the preferred pans.

I've not found any Michael's stores that carry the Preferred pans. Sorry. I lucked up by having a Southern Homes and Gardens that carries a full selection of cake decorating items. They have every size and then some!

There is a cake shop here that I plan on checking out too. I know that they carry the preferred pans, but I was hoping that Michaels might. Oh well! I just didnt want to have to pay full price on the squares. I need 3 (8 in, 10 in and 12 in) and thats going to run close to $55 dollars.

You know, I also haven't seen them in sets either. I need to go back to SH&G and see what they might have as promotional items for the holidays. Hmmm, I may have to go at lunch!!

I wonder if we can get Michael's to carry the Preferred pans...what would it take to get that accomplished. Hmmmm, my wheels are spinning.

I found the square set at Hobby Lobby for $34.99. That was something I bought with their 50% coupon a couple of weeks ago. Also, I know that Hobby Lobby will special order items -- Michaels might do that, too.

gilson6, are you referring to the preferred pans with the 90 degree angled sides? I have not seen those in any of the craft stores that I've been to in Alabama (Michael's, Hobby Lobby, A.C. Moore, etc.).

These are the pans that aren't curved/arched on the top, right? Those are the ones I purchased.

Wow! I may just have to call Michael's up and request a special order!

Worth a try! I know Hobby Lobby special orders. I've been trying to get the flower shaped tier set and finally asked them to special order it for me.