I have my first wedding cake coming up and i am sooo afraid of using dowels. I would like to use straws. Who uses what and how does it work for you.
melissa
I used straws in the star birthday cake i my pics, it was a 8-6 so the top layer wasn't too heavy. It held very well, i delivered it assembled and no problems. I don't know if i would use them on the bottom layer of a big cake tho. i have seen posted on here something about bubble tea straws because they are thicker plastic. I like the straws because they are easier to cut and to get all the same length.
I used straws in the star birthday cake i my pics, it was a 8-6 so the top layer wasn't too heavy. It held very well, i delivered it assembled and no problems. I don't know if i would use them on the bottom layer of a big cake tho. i have seen posted on here something about bubble tea straws because they are thicker plastic. I like the straws because they are easier to cut and to get all the same length.
I remember learning in school (6th grade or so) that the cylinder is the strongest shape. We even did an experiment were we folded lined paper into three shapes, a cylinder, a triangle and a square, and then put a brick on top of each one, the cylinder was the only one that held the weight of the brick. So with that said I use straws for all my cakes, if I need extra support I use extra straws.
Plastic drink straws are *very!* strong 
If you put 1/2 the # of straws as the top cake is (ie: 10" cake =5 straws) you will be just fine.
If that 10" cake is going to have 8, 6, 4" cakes on top then increase the # of straws to 8
Find the 'fattest' straws you can.....places like McDonalds have nice, fat ones. Ask the manager if you can buy a big handful. Most have let me have them.
TYE: You have been Very, Very, very lucky using bamboo skewers for support. That is not enough to be make a very sturdy stack 
Yes, they probably will hold up the weight but are not sturdy if the cake is moved in any way. Also they can easily poke thru a cardboard cake board
TYE: You have been Very, Very, very lucky using bamboo skewers for support. That is not enough to be make a very sturdy stack
Yes, they probably will hold up the weight but are not sturdy if the cake is moved in any way. Also they can easily poke thru a cardboard cake board
so far i havent had any issues.. but now im scared.. 
i usually on use the pointed ends on the bottom.. i blunt off the rest, except the one down the middle..
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