Dowels & Rods for Assembled Parts
Dowels and support rods for tiered cakes
Dowels, skewers, and support rods for supporting a tiered cake and distributing the weight without collapse.
What are dowels used for?
Dowels (rigid rods made of wood or food-grade plastic) are inserted vertically into one tier to support the weight of the next tier. Without them, a tiered cake gradually collapses under its own weight, especially with a creamy filling.
Skewers and support rods
Bamboo skewers are suitable for lightweight cakes or decorations (cake pops, stacked mini cakes). Support rods and connectors join structural elements together and are useful for complex assemblies with multiple supports.
Frequently asked questions
How many dowels per tier?
Generally, 4 to 6 dowels arranged in a circle beneath each upper tier, cut to the exact height of the tier below.
Wood or plastic?
Wood is suitable for standard use and is easy to cut to the right length. Plastic is more rigid and easier to clean for repeated use.
Do you need a rigid base in addition to dowels?
Yes, for a tiered cake: a cake drum or cake card under each tier stabilizes the structure and prevents the cream from collapsing through direct contact with the dowels.
