Does anyone else hit or miss when you buy Viva. I bought a single and it was awfully bumpy, even after going to the middle. Then I decided to buy an 8 roll pack and they seemed smooth as ice. This has probably been talked about before, but just wanted to show the difference.
OMG!!! this is IRONIC!!! I bought Viva for the wedding cake I made this past weekend.and it was the single roll and it was BUMPY and grainy 
This is weird 
I bought it in Dallas too. bad batch maybe...perhaps we should write to the company!
I could never master the Viva method so I am pro-Melvira method now!!!
It's awesome and so easy and the rollers are reusable so you don't have to throw away a bunch of paper towels.
With that said I use Viva at home and I have noticed the single rolls are bumpy and more fiberous (if thats even a word..lol).
Sorry you had so much trouble
I could never master the Viva method so I am pro-Melvira method now!!!
It's awesome and so easy and the rollers are reusable so you don't have to throw away a bunch of paper towels.
With that said I use Viva at home and I have noticed the single rolls are bumpy and more fiberous (if thats even a word..lol).
Sorry you had so much trouble
Ahhhh I've been wanting to try Melvira's method, but believe or not, I can't find the rollers that are perfect for that method 
I went to Home Depot and the rolls where either huge or very little...which ones did you get? where did you find them?
Also, is there an ideal buttercream recipe that works good with Melvira's method? if so, can anyone share it?
Ok, thanks a million!!!
I have seen that also sometimes one side is smoother and then next rool it will be the other side. i haven't had any that i couldn't use yet. I do look over my towels before i get them and i treat them like precious bread so the ends don't get bunched up or smooshed...LOL people must think I am silly, but they have no idea.
Can someone explain what Melvira's method is? Thanks!
Here's the link to Melvira's method http://cakecentral.com/article83-Quick--Easy-Smooth-Icing-Using-a-Roller-Melvira-Method.html Just be sure you get the High Density rollers. I got mine at Lowes, 4" and 6" I think
I use both methods on my cakes the viva and melvira for smoothness, however I have realized lately the single pack of viva towels are lumpy and I wasted so many trying to find a decent one to use. I don't think its a bad batch if everyone is expericing the same problems.
For the past 3 weeks I have looked and the Walmart shelves were bare where Viva usually sits. I was getting the same bumpy side on the paper towels too. Wonder if its a connection some how? I asked a clerk and she did not know why they had not had Viva.
I hide mine also but the last couple of rolls I purchased weren't worth hiding, I guess I will get the 8 pk and hide them up in my room like xmas toys...lol 
do you mean regular white paper for printers? If that's the case I have tons of that I will try that tonight on my cake. Thanks for the info!!!!
I used printer paper last night on my cake and I like the outcome better than the viva method, thanks for the tip!!!!!!!!!!!
I've never used any method!! I am trying this for the first time, and I do have parchment AND printer paper!
My question is, when do I apply it? Do I wait until the frosting crusts? When I push, what do I use so my fingers/hand do not make impressions?
Let the icing crust then lay the paper on the cake and very gently rub along the paper with your hand, back and forth and around and around. You'll see how it works once you get started. I was afraid to do it my first time, but now I do it all the time. It doesn't get smooth like fondant, but it takes a lot of the imperfections out.
I delivered a wedding cake last weekend and a man said, "there's not one wrinkle in that icing!" Boy, did that make me feel good!!
If you can't find the roller, ask where the textured paint supplies are , it's paint that has a sand effect, they have them in that aisle to. by the way it's wonderful paint but plan on using 3 times as much as said, i used it in my tuscan dining room and loved it.
Yeah you have to wait til it crusts (not too much though). It's best to use one of those plastic fondant smoothers to rub on top of the paper- not your hand.
There was a thread not too long ago where other CC members had also noticed the quality of Viva paper towels had changed. I think it was more of a product change rather than a bad batch. Who knows
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