Hi,

I love bubble tea straws, and am making my friend's wedding cake in August.  I have used them to support up to 8" cakes, but can I use them for larger tier support?  If so, how many should I use?

I usually use 2 or 3 to support a 6" and 4 to support an 8". 

Advice/comments?

AI would say don't risk it for bigger tiers! I recently made a 3 tier cake 10, 8, and 6 and I used bubba straws. I put 6 under the 8 inch and 4 under the 6 inch and the next day I was told that the cake was caving in :'( I won't chance that again. Now I use the thicker plastic dowels for heavier cakes. That cannot bend under pressure. Perhaps you could do a combination of bubba straws and this wooden dowels for added support.

Thanks, Nadia!  I will use the Wilton plastic tube dowels.  I find them a PITA to cut, but perhaps I will invest in a pair of PVC cutters.

SPS

AYes, they'll be just fine. In my photos is a pic of a 4 tier wedding cake--14", 11", 8", 5"--all supported by bubble tea straws with a central dowel.

The straws, cut evenly of course, won't slip or crush. I do use foam core cake boards--never corrugated cardboard--that I coat with melted edible soy wax.

This is the cake. 

There was 5 straws in the 14" to support the 11", 4 straws in the 11" to support the 8", and 3 straws in the 8" to support the 5". 

It traveled 2.5 hrs. partially assembled [the 11" was on the 14" with the central dowel] and I added the 8" & 5" at the venue, one at a time.

I use bubble tea straws with foam core boards also, in all of my tiered cakes, which are 3 to 6 tiers. 

No problem!  I love them.   

I assemble on site as my cakes are very heavy.  I only use a long wooden central dowel, if the cake is to be moved or the table is wiggly.

A

AAnother support for bubble straws here. As long as you aren't reckless in measuring and follow normal cautionary procedures for any doweling system, you're good to go.

AI use bubble tea straws for all my cakes. Measure the length required for each tier and make sure all the straws in the same tier are the exact same length.

I use 2 less straws then the diameter of the cake I am supporting. So, if I am placing the straws in a 12" cake to support a 10" cake I use 8 straws. In a 10" cake that will have an 8" cake resting on it, I use 6 straws...