Drinking straws or Dowel Rods for tier cakes?

[proverbs31mom2]

Which do you prefer to use to stack your tier cakes and why?

[mommylambrakos]

I prefer the dowel rods to straws just because they seem to hold more weight. I am a Wilton instructor and have seen several students try the straws in class and have noticed that they generally complain they do not hold up quite as well.

[proverbs31mom2]

ok thank you so much!

[mum2twingirls]

I use dowels but on a smaller cake (10"/8" or smaller) I will use straws but will add a center wooden dowel to keep it stable

[MsEmsMom110]

 I use dowel rods too, either the wooden or the plastic, which ever is cheaper for the quanity when I'm shopping for supplies. I've not tried straws because I've been afraid they wouldn't hold up. Typically when I do a cake that needs support, it ends up being pretty heavy and I'm afraid to risk it. I prefer to go with something that I know is going to hold it up.