Does Anyone Use The Heating Core?

Decorating By Theav Updated 30 Jul 2006 , 8:56pm by Theav

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Theav Posted 28 Jul 2006 , 3:04am
post #1 of 16

I just came across an item called a heating core that you use when baking large cakes. Does anyone use it. It looks like a big thimble.
I need to make a sheet cake next month and wonder if I should get one.

15 replies
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mbelgard Posted 28 Jul 2006 , 3:09am
post #2 of 16

I use upside down flower nails, the number depends on the size of the cake and they don't leave a big hole like the heating core does. Besides you probably already have one. icon_biggrin.gif

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cashley Posted 28 Jul 2006 , 3:14am
post #3 of 16

I have used the heating core and worked fine but you have to make sure your center piece is the same height as your cake. I rather just use the nails if making a large cake.

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Theav Posted 28 Jul 2006 , 3:21am
post #4 of 16

Well that's interesting. So, you just put the upside down nail in the middle of the cake and bake as usual?

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SLK Posted 28 Jul 2006 , 3:26am
post #5 of 16

I used my heating core once, hated it. Been using rose mails sence.

Yep, you just put it upside down in the pan - prepaired the same was as your pan - spray, flower, whatever you use, pore in your cake batter and bake away. If it's a lareg sheet pan, you can use more - just space them evenly throughout the pan.

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puzzlegut Posted 28 Jul 2006 , 3:26am
post #6 of 16

Some people seem to prefer using the upside down flower nails over the heating core. The largest cake I've made so is a 9x13x2 pan and when I bake it, I bake it at 325 degrees and use the bake even strips and haven't had a problem.

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TheChocolateMoose Posted 28 Jul 2006 , 3:31am
post #7 of 16

I use mine all the time for larger round cakes. No need to for the full sheets, I just put two half-sheets together on a full sheet board.

I would recommend the heating core if you're baking 14" or larger - works like a charm.

sherry

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Cake_Princess Posted 28 Jul 2006 , 3:41am
post #8 of 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by Theav

I just came across an item called a heating core that you use when baking large cakes. Does anyone use it. It looks like a big thimble.
I need to make a sheet cake next month and wonder if I should get one.




I would recommend investing in a heating core. I tried the flower nails and I was not impressed by the results. It was definately not something to wrtite home about. The heating core however worked like a charm.

Prepare the heating core as you would for the baking pan except you need to grease and flour both The inside and outer surface. Place it in the pan and put the batter in the pan. Then add a bit of batter to the inside of the heating core. You will use this plug to fill the hole. You might need to cut it down a bit. It's really easy to use.

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slb1956 Posted 28 Jul 2006 , 3:48am
post #9 of 16

I personally bought a heating core and
used it once..hated it even tho I floured and greased the heating core..it still stuck and had to dig it out more or less..then it wasn' about to fill up the hole it made in the cake.. I've had much better luck with the flower nails.

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missyek Posted 28 Jul 2006 , 4:11am
post #10 of 16

I have a couple of heating cores that are just sitting around collecting dust. I use flowernails all the time and have great results with them. I use the small #9 ones. I use one nail in any pan over 12" and in my 11 x 15 sheet. I use two nails in my 12 x 18 sheet. The heating core works fine, I just don't like having to plug the big hole it leaves.

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SugarFrosted Posted 28 Jul 2006 , 5:03am
post #11 of 16

I saw a baker on Food Network (sorry, can't remember which show, but it might have been Sugar Rush) wrap about 100 pennies in aluminum foil bundle and insert that into his baking core. He said the copper conducts heat better and it works every time for him. That makes sense to me. He did not say how he plugs the hole, though. If I were to do that, I would probably bake a separate cupcake to plug the hole, but I have never used my baking core, nor have I ever used the flower nails. My sheet cakes always do fine.

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cakesbyjess Posted 28 Jul 2006 , 6:42am
post #12 of 16

I have never tried a heating core because I've had so much success with flower nails and teflon strips. They really make a huge difference for me!!

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cowdex Posted 28 Jul 2006 , 7:31am
post #13 of 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by slb1956

I personally bought a heating core and
used it once..hated it even tho I floured and greased the heating core..it still stuck and had to dig it out more or less..then it wasn' about to fill up the hole it made in the cake.. I've had much better luck with the flower nails.




So....I'm not the only one.......

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SLK Posted 28 Jul 2006 , 2:04pm
post #14 of 16

So, as this thread is saying....heating cores...you either love them or you hate them!

I guess it's up to you on what your preference is. Maybe you could find one on e-bay for half the price just to try it out...and you probably have nails already that you coud try...let us know what you prefer.

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alracntna Posted 29 Jul 2006 , 2:05am
post #15 of 16

i have used the flower nail in sheet cakes before but i now know you have too just turn the heat down a little and bake a little longer and it will turn out just fine.

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Theav Posted 30 Jul 2006 , 8:56pm
post #16 of 16

Well, thanks for all of the info. Everthing I ever needed to know on the subject of heating cores. I think I will try the nail first since I already have one. If that doesn't work well then I'll try the core.

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