For Those Who Stick Wires In Cakes
Decorating By Cakepro Updated 25 Jan 2019 , 5:11pm by SandraSmiley
There are flowers that you do need to use wire though. I just made some (baby breath) so what I did was wrap the wire's with floral tape, and since that's sticky...tightly wrapped that with cling wrap. I then plan on inserting it into a straw before inserting it into the cake.
I swear, there is no wonder why there is so much cancer and other illness in the world. It seems like they stick the most toxic chemicals in things they really shouldnt. I had just received an email from a friend warning not to use the swifter wetjet if you have animals or pets because it contains antifreeze! That means if your baby is crawling on what you think is your clean floor, or your dog walks across the floor, then cleans his paws or you know babys put everything in their mouth. And voila, they can get poisoned. Its just sad that simple things in life have to be be thought twice before using.
Ive always been a drinking straw advocate, but waiting to hear what kind of toxic plastic they use to make those next!
Sad!
I couldn't agree more!
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I swear, there is no wonder why there is so much cancer and other illness in the world. It seems like they stick the most toxic chemicals in things they really shouldnt. I had just received an email from a friend warning not to use the swifter wetjet if you have animals or pets because it contains antifreeze! That means if your baby is crawling on what you think is your clean floor, or your dog walks across the floor, then cleans his paws or you know babys put everything in their mouth. And voila, they can get poisoned. Its just sad that simple things in life have to be be thought twice before using.
Ive always been a drinking straw advocate, but waiting to hear what kind of toxic plastic they use to make those next!
Sad!
Not true. http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/swiffer.asp
Ok, after 6 pages I gave up looking for what I wanted to know. LOL I understand about using straws in the cake for the wires, but I'm sure my customers are going to want to eat the decoration on the end of the wire. Any ideas on how to make that safe? Or is it just wasted?
You need to let them know that they are not edible due to the fact that they are in direct contact with the wires. Though I have had many friends who shrug and go ahead and eat them anyway (always the guys, of course). Not sure what the customers do once the cake is in their possession.
i think i posted this once before but I will place it here (for those who have asked me). at one time i had used the floral wire and then I read this post.. here is the lastest update on my wire use. ..
I stick my wires directly into my cakes 90% of the time, because I buy stainless steel food safe wire. It can be purchased in rods or on spools and in many different gauges. It is the wire used in orthodontics, surgery, baking and food industry. The manufactures have the food grade certification. I dont know if the websites will show up here, so go to your browser and type in "food grade safe wire" it will bring up a variety of sites and you can choose which company you want to use. i suggest looking for that certifcation notice. I prefer a company that doesnt have a minimum order and offers spools in a variety of guages. One company I came across offered it in a variety of colors, it was a thinner grade used for braces but can hold small delicate flowers. I hope this answers all the questions that have been asked of me.
Unless it is a certified food safe wire, I strongly suggest staws or coffee stirs. It would be bad to poison our family and friends (or customers). LOL
happy baking to all. 
No reason to panic, people remove the flower sprays before they eat the cake! I dont think it leakes any chemical into the cake.
In general I use Wilton spiks, but if by any chance I run out i usually make a little cone made of foil an wrap it around the end of the spays wire so it will not be inserted directly on the cake.
i think i posted this once before but I will place it here (for those who have asked me). at one time i had used the floral wire and then I read this post.. here is the lastest update on my wire use. ..
I stick my wires directly into my cakes 90% of the time, because I buy stainless steel food safe wire. It can be purchased in rods or on spools and in many different gauges. It is the wire used in orthodontics, surgery, baking and food industry. The manufactures have the food grade certification. I dont know if the websites will show up here, so go to your browser and type in "food grade safe wire" it will bring up a variety of sites and you can choose which company you want to use. i suggest looking for that certifcation notice. I prefer a company that doesnt have a minimum order and offers spools in a variety of guages. One company I came across offered it in a variety of colors, it was a thinner grade used for braces but can hold small delicate flowers. I hope this answers all the questions that have been asked of me.
Unless it is a certified food safe wire, I strongly suggest staws or coffee stirs. It would be bad to poison our family and friends (or customers). LOL
happy baking to all.
Awesome information!
Are you comfortable sharing the name of the company from whom you ordered? When Googling "food grade safe wire" all that comes up are links to forum discussions of cake decorators asking about food safe wire.
Thanks!
I wouldn't guarantee anything, but (as I've mentioned elsewhere), I should think that the stainless steel skewers that come in a turkey lacing kit (M.E. Heuck seems to be the biggest manufacturer) would be food-safe (given that they're normally in contact with meat, in a hot oven, for well over an hour), and the same can probably be said of potato nails.
Unfortunately, Tessa never responded to this thread or to my PM. I hope everything is okay with her. I'd really like to find out who supplies her with food-grade stainless wire so I could order it too.
Not quite sure how turkey skewers or potato nails could be used in cake, but I would hope they would be food-safe too. LOL
http://www.google.ca/#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=food+safe+stainless+steel+wire&oq=food+safe+stainless+steel+wire&gs_l=hp.3..0i8.2638.13327.0.14006.32.31.1.0.0.3.1279.8493.0j23j2j1j1j2j1j1.31.0.efrsh..0.0...1.Fz5h5y4Rv6g&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=2a3410d56eca1659&biw=1035&bih=521
Yep, that's how you Google "food safe stainless steel wire." Did you find a company from whom one could order?
SPAGHETTI!!!
You can buy pasta called Bucatini which is a spaghetti with a hole down the middle. I use #6 but it comes smaller and larger. The #6 is perfect for a #22 gauge wire or thinner (the larger the wire number the smaller the size). I also use it to build my fondant roses on, it is very strong because of the size and completely edible in case someone bites it.
This is a great idea. At Greenfiield Village in Dearborn, MI they use something similar for staws in their restaurants because back in the day, plastic straws didn't exist, right? My kids think this is hilarious to drink from a noodle!
ps google orthodotic/ or dental wire and there are companies that show up. I have no idea what expense it is, though.
http://www.google.ca/#hl=en&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=stainless+steel+wire+retail+sales%5C&oq=stainless+steel+wire+retail+sales%5C&gs_l=hp.3...3214.14825.0.14826.34.34.0.0.0.1.676.6737.0j27j3j2j0j1.33.0.efrsh..0.0...1.xvobXfFTi3I&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=2a3410d56eca1659&biw=1034&bih=521
4
You do realize that everyone knows how to use Google, right? 
That is gross....thank you for heads up and idea...I have not tried wires yet, but was looking at Duff's wires the other day, I assume those are food safe? Do you cover those also?
Dunno if I'd be inclined to assume anything here. On his Food Network show, I've seen Duff Goldman do more than a few things I wouldn't classify as "Good Eats."
I have tried the straws, but ended up reverting to the good old posy picks, as they are ready made, already have the bottom and so cheap. I got my last lot from Lindy's Cakes and they are available in 2 sizes at Lindys - http://www.lindyscakes.co.uk/shop/search.php?mode=search&page=2. They have 7mm ones and 9mm ones. They send their stuff all over the world.
Hope this helps someone.
Caljava (The makers of FondX) just posted this video online to demonstrate how to make a white flower cake. Watch closely. . . .she sticks wires in cakes!!! OMG! Do you think Caljava doesn't know the dangers of wires or simply has a wanton disregard for the safety of people everywhere? Someone should tell them before it's too late!
AAny new revelations on this thread? I'm about to get into gumpaste flowers (have only made bc flowers in the past. What about cloth covered wires? Or is that the same as floral wire?
AAfter reading my way through the complete thread, I am yawning a little (ok, I have a really bad cold and don't suffer fools gladly at the best of times ), and shaking my head in something akin to awe/horror/amused dismay / disbelief....
I have decided to gather all the information together and condense it for you. Here we go:
Floral wires and craft wires being stuck in cake are a "no, no " Even if they are being sold in cake decorating shops - the owner either is in blissful ignorance to the dangers or doesn't give a fig about the consequences if he/she/it says they are food safe! Bad person! Boo! Hiss! Exception: the gold, silver etc wires... pls see previous numerous posts in this thread for further details.
And Just Because Famous Cake People Such As a Collette, a Duff, a Ron etc Do It, That Does Not Make It Right! Simples as the meerkat would say!
Use the flower/posy picks etc, that is what they were made for! Other alternatives are available as mentioned in numerous previos posts.... spagetti, straws etc... as long as you are sure these things are food safe. SURE not THINK.... big difference there. I always disinfect anything that comes into contact with my food, especially if it is to be inserted, with alcohol. Even if it does come straight out of a packet.... basic hygien common sense here folks...
And in the end, everybody is going to do their own thing anyway. Keep it legal, keep it clean, keep educated about important matters and keep it safe.
I will go now and take my runny nose and pounding head to bed. Have a lovely weekend everybody!:smile:
Thanks for the info I knew not to place wires into cakes (kinda common sense really, well for some people!) but never thought of using straws that is a much cheaper option than buying flower spikes as usually have straws around the house! :)
If you buy food safe grade stainless steel wire (The same metal used for your mixing bowl) you CAN stick it into the cake! But it has to be the correct grade.
http://mightynest.com/blog/stainless-steel-all-about-food-grade-304-188-and-1810
Grade 304 wire can be purchased on amazon dot com in multiple thicknesses. It's used mainly for fishing wire. Makes sense....
what an awesome idea...Never thought of the straws...and was wondering when you mentioned it how to keep the cake from the straw...royal icing is a great tool...thanks for the tip... I have actually wrapped mine in wax paper or parchment paper before...this works well if you do it thick...but the straw will save so much more time...
Karen
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