Hi everybody, 
I was just wondering about those dummy cakes. Were can you buy them at, how many times can they be used, and how would you clean them?? I would really like to get some to practice on, and so I don't have real cakes looking at me or my bottom.LOL 
Thanks
Shelleylynn
here's a site, i just searched dummy cake
http://www.thebakerskitchen.com/CAKE_SHOPPE/Styrofoam_Cake_Dummies/styrofoam_cake_dummies.htm
also, you might could search styro foam
daltonam,
thank you very much!! also can you or do you have to dowel them? i don't plan on moving them around. i just want to decorate them and then take a picture for my book. thanks!!
shelleylynn, I just PMd you with local info!
I just bought a cake dummy for the first time and the lady at the store told me to paint it with water-based paint. So you can wash off the icing and start over whenever you want.
An instructor said to just use the dummie as-is and wash off any icing and reuse though.
thanks cryadgrl!!!
I just read what you sent, thanks very much. Yes I have been to Miles, but I never saw the dummy cakes, so I figured they didn't have them. I will have to go and talk to that lady.
What would you do, just use them or paint them?
Shelleylynn
Shelleylynn,
You can order dummies really cheap from dallasfoam.com. They have lots of sizes and shapes.
I just decorate them and wash off. I use dishwashing detergent to get the icing off. Haven't had a problem. I've heard people say to wrap them in plastic first but I think it would be a lot harder to ice them over plastic, as the icing wouldn't want to stick very well.
Anyway, they're so cheap on that website that I figure if they get nasty I can just toss them and buy a new one.
The thing I find that is difficult about decorating dummies is that they're so light weight. When you are trying to ice them, the spatula just pushes them away from you because they weigh nothing. It's hard to keep them on the plate. I have to figure something out to solve that dilemma. If you get them, you'll see what I mean. If you come up with a good solution, please be sure to let me know. My DH suggested making a wooden board with a nail sticking up and spearing them onto it so they can't go anywhere. Maybe we'll do that...
Coleen
Coleen,
Thanks for the info!!! That sounds like a good idea too!!
Shelleylynn
http://www.dallas-foam.com/store/cakedummies.html
check out this site......they're super cheap!!!
I haven't ordered from them but have heard good things about quick shipping and so forth!
I use dummies a lot. I have mine covered in clear contact. The only thing is to make sure you have covered them with the contact so there are no sharp corners as this can poke through the icing. I use only fondant so not sure about Buttercream.
czyadgrl what a good idea. Would never have thought of painting them. Thanks for the tip.
cakegurl06. Yes I have the same problem. Perhaps if we come up with a good idea money could be made. lol. The nail idea sounds good but I'd probably mangle the cake trying to remove the dummy! Will have to work on that one.
I haven't used dummie yet either, but an instructor told me to screw (4) screws up from the bottom of your cake board into the strofoam layer (first layer) but I'm not sure about the next layers. Maybe a nail would be less damaging.
Oh wow!! I just ordered some of the whimsical cake dummies to practice on and to also use to see how they should be carved when I actually do one... they are cheap!! Great resource info and thanks for sharing!!
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