Has Anyone Ever Had A Problem Putting The Main Dowel

Decorating By sunflowerfreak Updated 20 Jun 2006 , 4:55pm by Jenn123

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sunflowerfreak Posted 20 Jun 2006 , 1:33pm
post #1 of 8

Has anyone ever had any problem getting the main dowel through a 3 tiered, stacked wedding cake? I haven't tried yet but will on Saturday and I am a nervous wreck about it. I am afraid that the cardboards will collapse from the pressure of pounding the dowel in. thanks sunflowerfreak

7 replies
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candyladyhelen Posted 20 Jun 2006 , 2:18pm
post #2 of 8

I was afraid up til the first time I tried it also. But I could not believe the ease with which it went in! Just make sure the point is sharp!

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karensjustdessert Posted 20 Jun 2006 , 2:21pm
post #3 of 8

I was nervous the first time I tried it too, but becaue I am so nervous about it, I use a skewer first. I shove the skewer down, which will make the holes you need through each layer (including the separators!), and then take it out. Then, I put the dowel in. Sorta like prepping to put a screw in a wall by using a nail first??

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tiptop57 Posted 20 Jun 2006 , 2:22pm
post #4 of 8

I read on another thread to sharpen the point with a pencil sharpener......I tried it and it works beautifully!

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sweetthemes Posted 20 Jun 2006 , 2:25pm
post #5 of 8

It goes through fairly easily. I sharpen my dowels with a pencil sharpener (got it at walmart for under $1.00). Sometimes you don't even have to use a hammer. The last cake we did we had covered the cake boards in contact paper and the dowel still went through with minimal effort.

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sunflowerfreak Posted 20 Jun 2006 , 4:24pm
post #6 of 8

How thick of a dowel should I use?

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marccrand Posted 20 Jun 2006 , 4:47pm
post #7 of 8

I've only done it once and was soooo nervous about it (but it was my first cake and pre- Wilton classes so I was nervous about everything!!).

I read a tip on a site to cut a hole in the center of the cardboard (before putting cake on it) and then thread the cakes onto the dowel rather than putting the cake together and then dowel it. It worked great!! Though I'm not sure I would've bothered after reading the other postings of people who didn't have any trouble with a sharpened dowel, but it's another option if you're still nervous about it.

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Jenn123 Posted 20 Jun 2006 , 4:55pm
post #8 of 8

It is easy! The dowel should be the thickness of a pencil (so it will fit in your sharpener. Don't be nervous.

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