Well, I FINALLY got my high density roller today! Add me to the list of Melvira Method Converts!! Oh my gosh, I was amazed when I saw the tutorial pic showing before and after, but was even more amazed when I saw it in person!
Man....I thought I did a pretty good job of smoothing my icing before. Compared to The Melvira Method, I was sending those cakes out looking like the Rocky Mountain skyline!!!!
If you don't have your high density roller yet, run, do not walk, to your hardware store today to get it!
(And it was pretty cool to just spin that turntable and have the roller put the finishing touches on as everything just spun around! Awesome!!!!!)
I'm with you!! After reading a thread about if I bought my roller that night. I did a cross baptism cake (in my photos) with it and loved loved loved it!!! I will use it as often as i can!!!
Can someone tell me the brand names, sizes, exact kinds of rollers you should buy for this method? Does Home Depot sell them? When I looked at the tutorial for the method I wrote down the names of the rollers...but when I went to look for them online and I typed in the names I had a really hard time finding them!! Thanks! 
I have learned so many things on CC, but I think that has been the best thing!!!!!! I love it, I couldn't believe how smooth it makes my cakes and how easy it is to do!! Melvira had a great mind to think of such a wonderful thing!! I think we all thank you because it saves so much time and looks great!!!
I just went and bought the hi density foam rollers that Home Depot had nothing really special just make sure to get the hi density. I bought the 6 inch and the 2inch. 2 inch is great for sides and small areas and 6 in is great for sheet cakes!! 
I as well got a high density roller and now I can roll with the best of them.
fooby, as a matter of fact, that was my first Melvira cake! I messed up a spot on the orange tier, but that chocolate tier is as smooth as a baby's butt! I'm thinking of getting a holster to keep that roller handy while I'm working! Just call me Quick Draw!!!!!!!! 
fooby, as a matter of fact, that was my first Melvira cake! I messed up a spot on the orange tier, but that chocolate tier is as smooth as a baby's butt! I'm thinking of getting a holster to keep that roller handy while I'm working! Just call me Quick Draw!!!!!!!!
First of all, I can't believe it took you this long to get the rollers!!!
Second of all, I am flipping out over your M & M cake! I am an M & M collector (I have over 1000 decanters, toys, etc) and this cake is just awesome!
Where did you get the acrylic stand? Filling the pillars with M & M's just makes the cake perfect!
Diane
Debi you crack me up!! Quick Draw! And that M&M cake looks amazing! It blew my mind how much it looked like it just stepped out of the Wilton Yearbook!! The finish is so amazing... I can't get them that perfect. You amaze me!
As far as anyone who is having trouble finding the roller... don't be hung up on brands... they are just names. Just look for what they usually call a 'trim roller', it comes in 2", 4", and 6", just be sure (as was already mentioned) to get the highest density foam you can. The density will totally affect your results. The lower density will give you a spackly finish, while the higher density will give you that silky fondant-ish look. You should be able to find these rollers at any home improvement or paint store. Don't be afraid to grab an employee and make them find it for you! 
Good luck to all, and thank you all who have embraced this technique. You have been an amazing validation to my self image!
I ordered the acrylic stands thru my local cake supply store. I gotta give kudos to Marsha, who owns Ms. B's Sweet Shoppe. She has absolutely everything I ever need and if it's not in stock, she gets it for me! She is the best! (I keep telling her that we're both "Ms. B's"! hahaha!)
If you check my Flickr site of photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/55969028@N00/ I have some closeups of the M&M cake showing the peanut M&M flowers and the smoothness. I wanted to avoid putting multiple pics of the same cake on here (just doing my part to save server space for Heath and Jackie! )
Thanks Debi for sharing the website---AWESOME!
Diane
Ok...I cannot seem to locate any kind of tutorial or article on this wonderful method. I have only beenon this site for about a week now and maybe I just dont know where to look. Can someone help a sister out??? Thanks a bunch!
Ok...I cannot seem to locate any kind of tutorial or article on this wonderful method. I have only been on this site for about a week now and maybe I just dont know where to look. Can someone help a sister out??? Thanks a bunch!
On the Home page, under "articles", it's the 4th article down.
http://www.cakecentral.com/article83-Quick--Easy-Smooth-Icing-Using-a-Roller-Melvira-Method.html
you will fall in love with this method!
Whooo Hoooo!! Thanks! I dont know how I missed it...I will try it out on my cake this weekend.
I am soooooo happy I stumbled upon this Melvira method topic. Such a simple process and yet I would never have thought of it on my own!! Thats what I have you guys for, I guess!
I am struggling with this method, HELP!! I put my cake in the fridge for about 15 min, when I roll the icing comes off!! I then thought it mabey needed to sit in the fridge longer, but then it was to hard and did nothing. My roller said high density foam, what am I doing wrong??
I am struggling with this method, HELP!! I put my cake in the fridge for about 15 min, when I roll the icing comes off!! I then thought it mabey needed to sit in the fridge longer, but then it was to hard and did nothing. My roller said high density foam, what am I doing wrong??
Are you using a crusting buttercream icing? Also, I am wondering if the new Crisco might be having an affect on the icing.
http://forum.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=225701&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=0
This is the link to the thread about the problems with Crisco. I never put mine in the fridge. Just let them sit on the counter for 15-30 minutes before I roll them. Have not had any problems.
Diane
Hey Dee... it sounds like it could be a couple issues... but most importantly, I suggest using a crusting buttercream and letting it crust at room temp for about 10-15 minutes depending on humidity, NOT in the fridge. Some have used a non-crusting with the fridge method and have had success, but since I use a crusting BC that is the only one I can 'first hand' say works with this method. If the icing is tacky to the touch it will stick to the roller and do exactly what you said... peel off the cake! Ugh! Also, make sure you are using a light touch. You are just lightly smoothing, you don't want the pressure you would use if you are actually painting. Another issue, be sure that the roller is completely dry. If you have washed it, you will need to let it dry thoroughly. If the foam is wet it will pick up your icing. Let me know if these tips don't solve your issue and we'll keep working on it! Good luck!
Hey Dee... it sounds like it could be a couple issues... but most importantly, I suggest using a crusting buttercream and letting it crust at room temp for about 10-15 minutes depending on humidity, NOT in the fridge. Some have used a non-crusting with the fridge method and have had success, but since I use a crusting BC that is the only one I can 'first hand' say works with this method. If the icing is tacky to the touch it will stick to the roller and do exactly what you said... peel off the cake! Ugh! Also, make sure you are using a light touch. You are just lightly smoothing, you don't want the pressure you would use if you are actually painting. Another issue, be sure that the roller is completely dry. If you have washed it, you will need to let it dry thoroughly. If the foam is wet it will pick up your icing. Let me know if these tips don't solve your issue and we'll keep working on it! Good luck!
Melvira:
The only BC recipe I have used is:
2lbs powdered sugar
2 cups crisco
butter flavoring
vanilla flavoring
water or milk
Is this a "crusting buttercream" ?
Are the rollers considered food safe quality wise? I've never really looked to see what the rollers are made of, lol!
Must try this out. Seems like it would be a great method.
OK so I coudln't find the tutorial. Are you all using this to smooth icing or fondant or both???
OK so I coudln't find the tutorial. Are you all using this to smooth icing or fondant or both???
buttercream. http://www.cakecentral.com/article83-Quick--Easy-Smooth-Icing-Using-a-Roller-Melvira-Method.html
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