What do you think about Wilton's large cake leveler? I have the small one, and it's amazing, but I'm afraid to be disappointed by the large one. Anyone who has it, do you advise me to get it?

Thanks a lot.

I have it and it works great. Just make sure you don't tilt it at all, or your cake won't be level.

It's way to flimsy....get yourself an Agbay! It's worth it's weight in gold!

A lot of people cannot afford and Agby --especially if one is a hobbyist. I admit, at first, I did not like my large leveler from Wilton and even said so in the forums. However, I think I judged too quickly and have since learned to use it proficiently. One trick I came up with is placing the cake on a silicone pad while I level. That way, the cake does not slide at all while you are going across with the leveler. Just keep it's feet on your surface at all times and do not let one side lift or you will not be level as stated above.

A lot of people cannot afford and Agbay --especially if one is a hobbyist. I admit, at first, I did not like my large leveler from Wilton and even said so in the forums. However, I think I judged too quickly and have since learned to use it proficiently. One trick I came up with is placing the cake on a silicone pad while I level. That way, the cake does not slide at all while you are going across with the leveler. Just keep it's feet on your surface at all times and do not let one side lift or you will not be level as stated above.

Don't waste your money! You could probably level a cake better with a serrated knife than with that thing.

Oh, how I agree with Mightydragon!!! I am trying to save for an Agbay, (the great day seems to elude me) for I think the Wilton is a pain in the nether regions. About 1/3 the way through the cake the blade seems to flex and either come too close to the surface, or dip down. I try to rotate the cake, (making sure the feet remain in contact) have placed the cake on a no-slip, have tried to come at the center from both sides...It is more of an aggravation than an asset. It is particularly annoying with large cakes. Do like I am trying to do,,,save for an Agbay.

Oh, how I agree with Mightydragon!!! I am trying to save for an Agbay, (the great day seems to elude me) for I think the Wilton is a pain in the nether regions. About 1/3 the way through the cake the blade seems to flex and either come too close to the surface, or dip down. I try to rotate the cake, (making sure the feet remain in contact) have placed the cake on a no-slip, have tried to come at the center from both sides...It is more of an aggravation than an asset. It is particularly annoying with large cakes. Do like I am trying to do,,,save for an Agbay.

Modify the wilton leveler to make it more stable. Its easy with some UHMW or just some really dense super smooth plastic. Make feet. My husband came up with the idea because I just couldnt bare spending the money on the agbay because I am set on not going into debt for this business so I pay for everything in cash. Here are the pics of what it looks like. Works great for me...I would say make sure the cake is not rock hard cold when you try to level. It works best if it is room temp. I usually level as soon as they are cool.

momma28- what is UHMW and how thick are the feet?

Momma - that is an excellent idea!! Could you please tell us where you got the items to update that leveller?

UHMW is Ultra High Molecular Weight plastic. If you google you can find it for sale online. It has no drag so it glides without effort. The piece I used was 3/8 inch thick. It cuts very easily. I simply made it the width of the feet and then about 3 inches long so that it would keep the leveler from rocking. Works perfectly for me.

Just a note. I have seen super smooth little mini cutting boards at the dollar store that I guess could work as well. Just make sure that whatever you use will not pow at all when cut into small strips like the feet need to be. That is why I used UHMW. It doesnt bow....ever.

Another reason I love this site! I am definitely going to upgrade my Wilton and then maybe my vocabulary will improve also! (Al least there is no one here to hear me when I torte my cakes.) Thanks so much for the tip.

There is definitely a better leveler out there (an Agbay as previously mentioned), but if you don't have it, I think the large Wilton leveler works pretty well.

I tried to cut my cakes with a serrated knife and it just didn't work for me and I know the Wilton's large leveler is not the best, but somehow I make it work...I know an Aghbay would be way better, but I'm also a hobby baker.
Momma28 idea is awesome!!!!

Thanks a lot for all your answers. I just checked the Agbay, it's way out of budget, and I don't live in the US, so shipping it to me makes it even more expensive. I just bought the Wilton one, and I'll try momma28's way.
Thanks again everyone.

I have the large Wilton leveler and it works great. My husband took the blade off and replaced it with wire so it's similar in fashion to the smaller one. The wire doesn't flex like the blade did.

Wow I enter this prepared to warn you of not buying the wilton one since it doesn't work for me, but with the modifications I read I think it will improve a lot! My main problem is that the feet are wobbly, so the plastic attachement might solve it!

If you can't get the Agbay, which is by far the best, there's no need to waste your money on either of the Wilton ones, as they're both pretty crappy without modifications.

Take your cake out of the pan. Insert a cardboard, or several cardboards into the pan. Replace the cake. It should be sticking up out of the pan at this point. Use a long serrated knife and the edge of the pan as a guide, cut. Easy.

Thanks for that Leah, you just saved me a bunch of money! Great idea

Where is the best place to purchase a long serrated knife ?

[quote="topaz176"]Where is the best place to purchase a long serrated knife ?[/quote]

A knife store or a restaurant supply store.

[quote="shannonlovebug"]Thanks for that Leah, you just saved me a bunch of money! Great idea[/quote]

Do save up for the Agbay, though. You will not regret owning it.

i like the wilton leveler. I just go slow in a right to left motion as I hold the feet firmly down. It takes a little getting use to but after you do it works great!

I love my long serated knife it works best for me

I used the large wilton cake leveler twice and then sprung for an Agbay. The woman lives 15 minutes from my house and was nice enough to meet me at the grocery store to save on shipping . I gave my other leveler to a co-worker who was interrested in making cakes. I think it was a big waste of money. Works terribly. My Agbay is one of my most prized possessions in regards to my cake decorating, that and my new Cuisinart. So go sell some cakes and save up for it. You will not regret it!

Thanks again everyone. Leah_s, I'll try your way, seems good.