Dowel Usage In Wedding Cakes: A Structural Necessity?

Wedding cakes are often multi-tiered and can be a challenge to make and transport. One of the most important aspects of constructing a wedding cake is ensuring that it doesn't collapse. This is where cake dowels come in. Cake dowels are rods or tubes, usually made of plastic or wood, that are inserted into the cake to distribute the weight of heavy decorations or other tiers. They add stability to tall cakes and prevent them from sinking or sliding apart. While they may not be the most glamorous part of cake decorating, they are essential for ensuring the structural integrity of the cake.

There are different types of cake dowels available, such as wood dowels, plastic dowels, and bubble tea straws, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Wood dowels, for example, are sturdy, affordable, and versatile, while plastic dowels can be more stable and wider than wooden ones. Bubble tea straws are cheap and easy to cut, but may not be suitable for larger cakes or those that need to be transported. Ultimately, the choice of which type of dowel to use depends on the specific requirements of the cake and the preferences of the baker.

The benefits of using wooden dowels

Wooden dowels are an essential part of wedding cakes, especially if the cake is multi-tiered or tall. Here are some benefits of using wooden dowels:

Dependability

Wooden dowels are sturdy and can support a lot of weight. They are reliable during transportation, ensuring that your cake remains intact and in one piece.

Affordability

Wooden dowels are cost-effective, especially when compared to plastic plate-separating systems or other new products designed for cake stacking.

Accessibility

Wooden dowels are readily available at craft or hardware stores since they are commonly used for various projects.

Versatility

Wooden dowels come in different thicknesses and lengths, making them suitable for any size or shape of cake. They can be trimmed and cut to fit your specific needs.

Stability

Wooden dowels provide stability to cakes, especially those with multiple tiers. They prevent the cake from getting squished or crushed by the weight of the tiers above.

Ease of Use

Wooden dowels are straightforward to use and can be inserted into the cake at room temperature or chilled, depending on your preference.

Overall, wooden dowels are a reliable, affordable, and versatile option for supporting wedding cakes and ensuring their stability during transportation and display.

Alternatives to wooden dowels

While wooden dowels are a popular choice for supporting the tiers of a wedding cake, there are several alternatives that can be used instead. Here are some options for creating a stable wedding cake without using wooden dowels:

• Plastic Dowels: Plastic dowels are a food-safe alternative to wooden ones. They are more expensive than wooden dowels but can be a good option if you want to avoid the risk of splinters or a bleached wood taste in your cake. Plastic dowels can be found at party supply stores or online.
• Bubble Tea Straws: Bubble tea straws are wider and sturdier than regular plastic straws, making them a good option for supporting tiered cakes. They are hollow, so they don't displace the cake, and they are easy to cut to the correct length. You can find them at Asian food markets, Walmart, or online.
• Wilton Plastic Disposable Pillars: These plastic pillars are wider and more stable than wooden dowels, making them a good option for smaller stacked cakes.
• SPS (Single Plate System): SPS is a plastic plate and column system that provides support for stacked cakes. It can be more expensive, and the plates can add bulk to the cake, but it is a reliable option for stabilizing multi-tiered cakes.
• Stress-Free Supports (SFS): SFS is another system of plates and columns that can provide stability for wedding cakes. It may be more costly, but it offers a stress-free way to stack cakes.
• Cardboard Bases: Using sturdy cardboard bases between the tiers of your cake can help distribute the weight and provide additional support. Reinforcing the edges of the cardboard with white tape can help prevent sagging and make it easier to disassemble the tiers when cutting the cake.
• Royal Icing: A small amount of royal icing between the tiers of your cake can add stability, especially when used in combination with other support methods.
• Parchment Paper: Placing a piece of parchment paper between the tiers can help prevent them from fusing together and make it easier to adjust the positioning of the tiers during assembly.

How to cut wooden dowels

Wooden dowels are commonly used in wedding cakes to provide stability and support. They are affordable, versatile, and sturdy enough to support a lot of weight. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cut wooden dowels for your wedding cake:

Tools and Materials:

• Wooden dowels
• Table saw with a suitable diamond saw blade
• Appropriate safety gear, including safety glasses, hearing protection, and a dust mask
• Pencil or square for marking
• Sandpaper or a file (optional)

Step 1: Select the Right Diamond Saw Blade

Choose a diamond saw blade that is appropriate for the type of cut you want. There are three main types:

• Continuous Rim Blade: This blade has a continuous rim with diamond-embedded edges, providing smooth and chip-free cuts.
• Segmented Rim Blade: Segmented rim blades have gaps between the diamond segments, allowing for faster cutting but leaving a slightly rougher edge.
• Turbo Rim Blade: This type offers a balance between speed and precision, making it a versatile choice.

Step 2: Prepare for the Cut

Before cutting, take the following steps to ensure safety and accuracy:

• Wear appropriate safety gear to protect yourself from sawdust and debris.
• Ensure your table saw is in good working condition, with all safety features properly functioning.
• Maintain a clean and organised workspace.
• Carefully measure and mark the length you need for your dowel using a pencil or square. Double-check your measurements.
• Adjust the height of the table saw blade to slightly higher than the thickness of the dowel.

Step 3: Cut the Wooden Dowel

Once you have selected the appropriate blade and prepared your workspace, follow these steps for a clean and precise cut:

• Place the wooden dowel on the table saw's rip fence, aligning the marked cutting line with the blade.
• Adjust the rip fence to secure the dowel in place and ensure it is parallel to the blade.
• Stand to the side of the blade and keep your hands away from the blade area.
• Use a push stick or push block to guide the dowel through the cut, maintaining a safe distance from the blade.
• Turn on the table saw and allow it to reach full speed before making contact with the dowel.
• Gently push the dowel through the blade at a steady pace. Let the blade do the cutting.
• After the dowel has passed through the blade, turn off the table saw and allow the blade to come to a complete stop before removing the cut piece.
• Examine the cut end of the dowel and use sandpaper or a file to refine the cut edge if needed.

Additional Tips:

• Always prioritise safety when working with power tools.
• Practice caution and precision to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience.
• For smaller dowels, you can also use large pet nail clippers, a handheld reciprocating saw, or a miter box to cut the dowels.
• Smooth out the rough edges of freshly cut dowels with sandpaper.

How to insert dowels into a cake

To insert dowels into a cake, follow these steps:

Prepare the Dowels

Wash and dry the dowels, ensuring they are food-safe. You can use wooden or plastic dowels, but avoid those sold in craft shops as they may be too delicate. If using wooden dowels, you can sharpen one end with a pencil sharpener or paring knife to make it easier to puncture the cake.

Measure and Cut the Dowels

Measure the height of each cake tier and cut the dowels slightly shorter than the height of the tier. This ensures that the dowels provide support without poking through the top of the cake. Mark the dowel at the correct height, then remove it from the cake and use it as a guide to cut the rest of the dowels to the same length.

Space the Dowels Evenly

For each tier, you will need to space the dowels evenly in a circle near the center. As a general rule, use 3-4 dowels for smaller cakes, 4-6 for medium cakes, and 6-8 for large or heavy cakes. If your cake is particularly tall, a single central dowel may be sufficient.

Insert the Dowels

Insert the dowels into the cake, pushing them straight down until they touch the bottom cake board. For the bottom tier, you can use a small amount of royal icing between the tiers for added stability.

Repeat for Each Tier

Repeat the process for each tier, placing the next tier carefully on top of the dowels of the lower tier. The dowels should support the weight of the tier above.

Finish and Decorate the Cake

Once all the tiers are stacked, you can add any final decorations or frosting. If you need to transport the cake, use a cake box for support and handle it with care.

Additional Tips:

• It is best to insert dowels shortly after frosting the cake, when it is somewhere between refrigerator-cold and room temperature. This will help prevent cracking or damage to the cake.
• Always smooth out any rough edges on freshly cut dowels with sandpaper.
• If you are using a thick dowel that will displace a large volume of cake, first use an apple corer to remove the cylinder of cake that will be displaced. This will prevent the pressure of the added volume from cracking the cake's surface.
• To remove dowels from inside a cake, use needle-nose pliers.
• You can add a layer of parchment paper between tiers to prevent them from fusing together and make it easier to disassemble the cake later.

When to insert dowels into a cake

The best time to insert dowels into a cake is shortly after frosting, when the cake is somewhere between refrigerator and room temperature. At this point, the cake has been out at room temperature for long enough that its surface is soft and pliable, and it is more tolerant of the pressure of being penetrated by dowels.

Chill the cake while measuring and cutting the dowels, and insert them as soon as they are ready. Remember to add short support dowels before the cake tiers are stacked.

Frequently asked questions