I'm new and I have never torted cakes before, usually just make the 2 layers and put them one on top of the other.

I'm going to need to torte 2 cakes that are 3" high (6 and 10 inch rounds) and a large book cake. Should I invest in a cake leveler? For this size I would need the large one and it's about $20.

Just wondering if it is really useful or if you guys just use a knife. Sometimes gadgets are great and sometimes a waste of time. Which would you say this is?

I use my cake leveler all the time. I do prefer the larger one to the smaller one. Do you have any craft stores near you that you could use coupons for? I know Michael's and A.C. Moore take each others coupons.

I use a leveler. I have an Agbay and although I paid a lot for it it is by far the best thing I own.

The leveler will definitely come in handy, I would invest in one if I were you. Especialy if you're like me, I don't do well with a large knife. I have both wilton Levelers, but I mainly use the large one, it works great.

Sherry

I use the large leveler. Have tried a knife for torting before and I can never get it straight. The leveler is also great for lopping off the top of the cake before you turn it out of the pan.

I agree. I absolutley love my cae leveler. I use it just about everytime I bake. I really think that is one tool you should invest in. I would go with the larger one because ou can use it on just about any size cake. The small one only goes up to, I think, 12 inch cake size.

I love this place!

You have a question, you get an answer!

Okay, I'm off on a hunt for a coupon now....

Thanks everyone, I guess this is one gadget I'm going to need...

I bought the cake leveler and hated it, I NEVER use it. It find it much easier to just use a serrated knife and eyeball it.

I bought a wilken cake leveler (the big one) and the blade is so flimsy, it bends while you are trying to cut the cake. I hate it. (Its ok for torting, but not for leveling). I wish I could afford an Agbay!!!

Okay, I have to ask. . .
. . .what is an Agbay????

http://www.agbayproducts.com/index.htm

There is a video of how an Agbay is used, VERY nifty, but $150 to $250 is far too much for me

YES!

I have the big wilton leveler and HATE it!! But I finally decided to bite the bullet and bought the Agbay.....SOOOOO WORTH THE MONEY!!! I bought the $150 and it is one of my best pieces of equipment!!!

Even though it is expensive....it is worth EVERY penny!! IMHO!!

I use my leveler, but that's because I can't for the life of me, get a straight cut using a knife.

WOW, that leveler is SERIOUS!

I have both the large and small leveler (Wilton)and I love them both. They make baking so much easier for you. I typically did small cakes and had the small leveler for 3 years. I have just moved on to full sheet cakes and got a large leveler - aliitle apprehensively since I heard mixed reviews about it. But it worked really well and I am happy with my purchase.

I have both the Wilton ones and never use the large one. The blade is flimsy and it cuts crooked.

I have used the more expensive leveler and it is fantastic but not in my budget. I have both Wilton levelers but I always use the large one. I don't have trouble with the blade. I keep the blade covered with the plastic binders edges(the kind you had to use on reports in school) and they help keep my blade straight as well as preventing accidental cuts. I also make sure I store the leveler in a place where the blade does not get bowed. I think it is hard to justify the more expensive one unless you do a large number of cakes.

$150

And I was worried about springing for the large Wilton one at $20

Oh well, I guess you get what you pay for.

I have the small Wilton one - didn't think I would ever use it and now I wonder how I managed with out it

I started with the Wilton large leveler, and I love it! The only problem I find with it is that the sizes are so spread out that it really doesn't leave you too many options. So, I just invested in the smaller one. I like it because I can cut anywhere I want, but I find IT to be the flimsy one -- not the bigger one.

I just back over my cakes with my truck. Tops come out nice and flat. I love my truck leveler.

I made my own recently! I used 2 wooden dowels, made grooves for different levels then put heavy fishing line ~new line~ on either side, secured each side and wrapped several times....worked great!

I have both the Wilton ones..I like the small wire one for smaller cakes but the large one sucks! The blade keeps bowing up and I never got a level cut!

Dale, I'm sending you my cakes from now on!!! LOL!

Hi there,
I can never level my mud cakes successfully with my large Wilton cake leveller. I had a look at the Agbay video but it is levelling a sponge. Is there any recommendations for mud type heavy cake levelling?

I love my Agbay. It is the best toy I ever bought

Chainsaw

Dale, you are a classic! Trucks and Chainsaws huh?

Well, I'd recommend a chainsaw for a heavy mudcake if you dont have a truck. If you do have a truck and need to level a mudcake, for godsake, make sure it's a 4 wheel drive.