I am looking for some really good information on stacking an upcoming cake. 14, 10 and 6. I've read all that I can on various sites but I'm still confused . It seems to me like the dowls would be ok, but I'm just not sure. I am planning on using fondant by the way. I will be transporting the cake a short distance too.

I think this is a really good question, and I'm sure there are lots of different opinions, experiences, etc.

Pls feel free to share.

Thanks!
Melissa

Yes, you can use dowels.
I use plastic drink straws for that size cake. You could use both - if you can find fat straws slip the dowels into the straws....dbl support and you won't get the wood taste dowels can leave in moist cake.

You don't say if the cake is stacked or pillared....
If you want to invest in SPS it would be great but not sure you can obtain them in time....
BakeryCrafts has plastic plate & 4 pillar sets. The pillars come in 4" size - that will replace the dowels & be *very* sturdy/safe. Maybe your local cake supply shop carried them....places like MIchael's won't.

The cake will be stacked. The wedding is Oct. 4th. I might have time to order. I wondered about this type of support system. I do not want to have any problems at all with this. I try and really plan out my projects and don't want any surprises, even though we always have them.

Meilissa

Hi,
I've had really good luck with the Wilton hidden pillars and plates for my stacked cakes. I was so excited last night when I was watching Amazing Cakes on the WE Network and they were using the same thing to stack and support their huge Wedding Cake, which they were transporting assembled.

That made me feel confident in my choice of support/stacking system, to see professional decorators at their level using the same thing that I do.

The best part is you can buy it all at Michael's or Joann fabrics, for your size cakes....under $10 (less if you use a coupon). Always available and you don't have to pay shipping.

I saw that too! I think you're right and I'm going to give them a try.

I think that this is a great topic and see lots of posts about it.

Thanks
Melissa

I saw that too! I think you're right and I'm going to give them a try.

I think that this is a great topic and see lots of posts about it.

Thanks
Melissa

Well, I don't want to be a downer BUT...they weren't using Wilton's hidden pillars they were using SPS-which is kinda similair EXCEPT SPS plates lock into the cake boards. I ONLY say this because for years I have used Hidden Pillars I LOVED THEM! Then this summer I drove one across town and it was destroyed. The difference is, SPS has a pic that sticks up through the cardboard and you can transport it, with wilton you take the risk transporting it. It only takes one ruined cake to learn that mistake! LOL! But the Cake Diva's in CA use the SPS system when they transported that big ol honking cake!

How did they put the dowel in the top cake?

Sps plates are white plastic just like the Wilton plates. I have to agree I think she was using the SPS.

I was unsure of it the first time I watched the episode but last night when she turned the plate over you can see an x on the bottom of the plate and my SPS has those but my Wilton doesn't.

SPS has the legs that lock into place like the Wilton and the notch on the top is not very big so it could be hard to see on TV.

I really like the SPS. They are disposable and cheaper than Wiltons.

I use SPS the "notch on top" in a little nub that sticks up in the middle of the plastic plate. You push your cardboard circle onto the plate to make a little hole in the bottom of it before you decorate your cake on it then after the cake is decorate you set it on the plastic plate and the nub fits in to the hole you made in the cardbord and it helps to keep your cake from slipping off of the plastic plates.
What the girls on tv were using was not SPS there was no nub and the pillars on the SPS system are not smooth like the ones they used. They were using pipe cutters to cut the pillars but i dont know if they will work to cut the SPS since they are not smooth like the Wilton ones.

I think it is possible that they are using something else that is not Wilton or SPS

I still would like to know how to get the dowel in the top.

Hi luelue, Alright, this is absolutely the last time I'm watching this part of the episode........just kidding. DVR's are awesome!

They only put a skewer in the top tier, a short one.....I'm not sure what the purpose of that was though, because it just hits the plastic plate and what the heck good will a skewer do ?

Oh well, so far I've had very good luck with these plates/pillars, although I never deliver an assembled cake that is taller than 2 tiers. (mostly because my DH usually drives and he doesn't know the meaning of SLOW and EASY on the corners) I mostly assemble on site.
Luckily, I've never had an incident and I've used them since at least 1988. Watch, now I'll jinx myself I guess we have to go with what we're comfortable with and so far I've had no reason to personally change my support system.

I think I will look into maybe drilling a small hole in each plate and from the bottom somehow attach a short pointed dowel/skewer to stick into the upper cake board, hummmm now my thinking cap is on

I use sps at home and at work (I work pt at a local grocery store doing wedding cakes).

I may not being reading the other messages right, but there is no need for a center dowel.

After spending a lot of time reading the posts here and other places, I ordered the SPS online. I hope this will be what I'm looing for. It amazes me how many different ways there are to do things. Since this is my first wedding cake, I want it to be ok. The cake is fairly plain, but the structure is the most important part to me.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Melissa

I hope that maybe some who has my file will send it to melissa so that she has the instructions with pictures. We've been displaced as a result of Hurricane Ike. I don't have access to the computer where the file is stored.

I will Leah.

Thanks for sending it! You guys are awesome to say the least. I was talking to a lady at Michael's the other day (she was new at this cake decorating stuff!) anyhoo- I told her about Cake Central. She couldn't wait to go home and log on.

Thanks again!!!!!))))))))))))
Melissa